Homeschool World Forum

kkapfe · User Joined: 13 Jun 2006 Posts: 55 Location: Illinois

I'm currently in my first year homeschooling my oldest daughter who is in first grade and my middle daughter who is in PreK/K. I'm researching my options for next year (I plan way ahead!) and am interested in what online options are out there. I've looked at the Time4Learning website and would like some feedback from people who've used it. I'm also looking for other online suggestions. I would really appreciate a Christian curriculum so that I don't have to go so heavy into the study of evolution. I'd rather bring that up on my own when my girls are ready instead of it being a mandatory topic.

Also, with online studies, how do you know if your child is too young to be in front of the computer? I think I would like it most if she had some things online and some offline.

Suggestions from others with experience would be greatly appreciated!!

Aurie · User Joined: 30 Oct 2006 Posts: 33

My daughter (preK) is using www.starfall.com to learn her letters and sounds. Great program and it is FREE Wink

I let her play as long as she wants just so she isn't interfering with her brothers school time on the computer. For a child with no attention for anything else, she has spent up to an hour playing on Starfall.

I don't think anyone is too young to use the computer if the program is simple enough that they don't get frustrated. As far as how much time... well if she hadn't gotten off at the hour mark, I probably would have removed her. I think at some point, we stop learning and our brains need a rest. I believe that for any age though, not just for the little ones.

When I was in nursing school, I never studied more then 30 mins at a time.

cornopean · User Joined: 08 Feb 2006 Posts: 12

kkapfe · User Joined: 13 Jun 2006 Posts: 55 Location: Illinois

I too am skeptical of complete online curriculums. I know I couldn't stand to look at a computer all day long. I was just thinking that having more of an eclectic approach (some online, some hands on, some book work) would be the best idea. I just didn't know what was really out there for the online stuff, probably looking mostly for Science and Social Studies. She's not old enough for SOS yet because she's only going to be in second grade. So...I was looking for some other options until then.

kkapfe · User Joined: 13 Jun 2006 Posts: 55 Location: Illinois

I checked out your spellingtime.com suggestion. It is awesome!!! My daughter hates spelling and she actually asked me "Mommy, can we do this everyday?". That's what I call dynamic. We are using her curriculum word list from Christian Liberty Press but I put them in the Spelling Time lesson. I can't believe something this good is free! Next year I won't even need to purchase a curriculum since they have premade word lists through 5th grade. Thanks for the great suggestion!

schoolymum · User Joined: 19 Jan 2006 Posts: 35 Location: england

I just joined finn up-thankyou so much for the link-thats just amazing. Very Happy

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there are short cuts to happiness and dance is one of them xx

gillenkl · User Joined: 21 Dec 2006 Posts: 6 Location: Delaware

Kitty-Cat · User Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 62 Location: Australia

Here are two amazing maths links given to me today.
http://www.senteacher.org/Print/ (some other things here as well)
http://www.cimt.plymouth.ac.uk/projects/mepres/primary/default.htm
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Jo from Australia

schoolymum · User Joined: 19 Jan 2006 Posts: 35 Location: england

thankyou so much kitty-cat Very Happy

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there are short cuts to happiness and dance is one of them xx

Kitty-Cat · User Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 62 Location: Australia

YW

I just recieved another to a free online spelling programme.

http://www.spellingtime.com/ grades 1-5
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Jo from Australia

Calla_Dragon · User Joined: 22 Jan 2007 Posts: 212

I just checked out spelltime.com. I'd never heard of it before and WOW! What an awesome suggestion! We did our first lesson today and my son loved it! Thanks!

hatcher1999 · Posted: Tue Jan 23, 2007 11:32 pm Post subject: Spelltime

I guess its just me but I think spell time is great too but its kinda confusing. But I haven't counted it out yet. I may play with it a little and see if I can understand the whole classroom set up. Does anyone know if it is better to set up a classroom as I am the teacher or just set it up per child. If anything I may use after I think I have both my kids up to speed.

Calla_Dragon · User Joined: 22 Jan 2007 Posts: 212

I don't think this will be much help, but I set it up per child since I only have one child old enough to work on spelling. I'm not sure what would be the easier way because I didn't notice the classroom setting. I sorta registered my son and we hit it. Hehe
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To be idle is a short road to death and to be diligent is a way of life; foolish people are idle, wise people are diligent.

momo3boys · User Joined: 14 Feb 2006 Posts: 574 Location: Western Mass

i just set it up for one child and customize it as i go. they each do a different lesson until they are done. I really like the weekend review! a gerat way to keep the words they have already learned and not lose them.
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Phi 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.