.JPG)
.JPG)
This post comes with a disclaimer:
*Time4Learning has invited me to try their online curriculum for 30 days in exchange for an honest review. My opinion will be entirely my own, so come back and read about my experiences. Visit them for information about lesson plans, homeschool portfolios or writing your own curriculum review.*
I don't know how the school system is where you are, but here in Pennsyltucky it's the same thing each year. The kids go back to school before Labor Day, have a review of last year that lasts until about Christmas, then everything they learn from there on out is to do the best they can for PSSA testing. That's the standardized test that determines how much funding the schools get. The school even has little reviews and websites set up so the kids can 'study' for this test that has zero impact on their grades. It makes me a little crazy how the schools think this is acceptable.
I understand that the school wants the kids to do as well as they can so they stay adequately funded. But, as a parent, I start to wonder if the school is serving the needs of the students, or itself more. I also look at the other nations on this planet and see how far behind we are with education. It's truly sad that in some subjects we are lower than even developing nations.
I started doing some research on different curriculum and what can be used for after school to bolster what is being taught as well as in the summers so they don't forget things they've learned. I also wanted something to give them the option of moving ahead in some subjects but not others. I had a fairly tall list and what I found was that time4learning filled them all.
We'll be trying it out for a month and I'll be posting a quick review each week, then a final review from my boys to see what they think of it as well. With one child being autistic it should be interesting to see how it goes and if they can stay focused on it, or like it enough to want to do it.
If you're using something else with your kids, let me know! Right now we're just starting to explore our options.
*Time4Learning has invited me to try their online curriculum for 30 days in exchange for an honest review. My opinion will be entirely my own, so come back and read about my experiences. Visit them for information about lesson plans, homeschool portfolios or writing your own curriculum review.*
I don't know how the school system is where you are, but here in Pennsyltucky it's the same thing each year. The kids go back to school before Labor Day, have a review of last year that lasts until about Christmas, then everything they learn from there on out is to do the best they can for PSSA testing. That's the standardized test that determines how much funding the schools get. The school even has little reviews and websites set up so the kids can 'study' for this test that has zero impact on their grades. It makes me a little crazy how the schools think this is acceptable.
I understand that the school wants the kids to do as well as they can so they stay adequately funded. But, as a parent, I start to wonder if the school is serving the needs of the students, or itself more. I also look at the other nations on this planet and see how far behind we are with education. It's truly sad that in some subjects we are lower than even developing nations.
I started doing some research on different curriculum and what can be used for after school to bolster what is being taught as well as in the summers so they don't forget things they've learned. I also wanted something to give them the option of moving ahead in some subjects but not others. I had a fairly tall list and what I found was that time4learning filled them all.
We'll be trying it out for a month and I'll be posting a quick review each week, then a final review from my boys to see what they think of it as well. With one child being autistic it should be interesting to see how it goes and if they can stay focused on it, or like it enough to want to do it.
If you're using something else with your kids, let me know! Right now we're just starting to explore our options.
We used Oak Meadow, a strictly text/workbook style, for the first two years. Then we started pulling from all kinds of places - Switched on Schoolhouse, textbooks used by the school, stuff we found at used bookstores or at Amazon. There is no one right curriculum as no two kids need the same things, as you well know. My boys are a year apart, and use two completely different resources on some topics. I look forward to your reviews. :)
We have used Time4Learning for many years and it works well for our family. My son also is on the autism spectrum and he loves it! I look forward to reading how you all do with it.