May. 5, 2007
Online school: Time4Learning is AWESOME!!
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In February, I signed us up with an online learning tool called Time4learning. My 6yob had no interest in phonics or reading at the time and I was looking for something that might be fun and exciting enough to spark his interest in the language arts. My 8yob was not excited about his bookwork and frankly, neither was I. With my online business, difficult pregnancy and college classes, trying to come up with unit studies and other lessons that would hold their interest was wearing me out and not working very well. So, as I was browsing the internet one evening, I came across Time4Learning.com and learned that they might have exactly what I was looking for. I noticed that they offered a 2 week trial and thought that 2 weeks would definitely be long enough to decide if this was the answer I was looking for. OH BOY WAS IT!!! My boys LOVED it. It was such a hit with us, that I decided it would be the core of our curriculum. I am free to supplement it with anything I deem necessary, but it sure has taken the load off of my shoulders. My now 9yo does his school without being reminded, my 6yo is reading 2nd grade level chapter books (Junie B. Jones, etc.) and they're both continually learning things that I didn't know they were ready for. The progress they've made has been phenomenal, they have a blast doing it and it has made homeschooling so much easier for me. Some of the things I really like about Time4Learning are: 1. Each child can do more than one grade level at a time. My 6yo is doing level 1 math and language arts, but level 2 science and social studies. My 9yo is doing level 3 math and language arts, but was able to do level 2 science and social studies (so we could all discuss the topics together) and also able to back up and refresh some topics in level 2 math when level 3 proved to be a little advanced for him in certain areas. I had considered Switched On Schoolhouse for him before, but this works out great for us because he can progress through the grade levels at his own pace, in each subject independently of the others. 2. Scope and Sequence and Supplemental Lessons - there are printable worksheets to go with the lessons that I can use for extra practice when needed and the scope and sequence helps me track what they are learning at each level, so that I can plan supplemental unit studies and such if I wish. 3. Reports - I can see at a glance what assignments they have completed today, this week, and this month or any range of dates I enter. Because the system grades their work for me, it helps me to easily evaluate their progress and see where we can either skip things or where we need to spend more time. 4. Fairly priced - I pay about $35 a month to have all this for BOTH my children, which I find to be a great bargain. Everyone should check out Time4Learning to see if it's something their family could use to enrich their homeschooling experience. It has made a world of difference in our family. JUST CLICK THE LINK TO THE RIGHT CALLED TIME4LEARNING and you'll go right there. If you do decide to sign up, please let them know that I referred you: Lamonica Smith, tlasmith@windstream.net. You can't go wrong with the 2 week trial and if it's not for you, just cancel, no big deal. I think your kids will love it as much as mine do, though. |
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