Dec. 15, 2008
Time4Learning
Posted in Product Reviews for Homeschooling
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Time4Learning is an online curriculum for Kindergarten through 8th grade for language arts and math. We were able to use Time4Learning with three of our children, each at a different grade level, so I'll break up my review by that. K-1 Language Arts: If you've read any of my previous reviews you'll know I'm a bit picky about teaching phonics and learning to read, so I did not like the Language Arts portion for the K level. To teach the child a sound the program said the sound and showed the child objects that started with the sound but did not show the child the letter that makes the sound! That was a big "no-no" for me! K-1 Math: I did enjoy the math for this level; we did a few lessons for both K and 1st, just to see what she could do and to see what the program offered. The illustrations were animals as people (wearing clothes, walking on two legs). I liked the real to life type situations of the grocery store and post office. My daughter did have trouble with clicking and dragging "28" flowers to a cart - her hand was getting very tired, and I thought it was a bit much! We had a few issues with knowing where/what to click and clicking vs. highlighting. At this age, I don't feel a child can do a program like this independently. It was fun, but I'm not sure I want to sit at the computer and do this. Plus, I know I don't have the time! 2-3 Language Arts: I can't find notes for this section, and I suspect we didn't use it much; sorry! 2-3 Math: My sons loves math but isn't fluent in his reading, and the math for 2nd grade allows him the option to read or click and hear the directions! I was concerned about lack of handwriting practice, but there are printable pages that helps in this area. I think the program is helpful for a child who gets bored with repetition, yet I still would want basic drill/skill work to supplement; I think there needs to be more review. There are multiple choice type questions, and if the child gets it wrong, he can go back and fix it by guessing and not actually learn what is needed to get the correct answer. We checked out 3rd grade level math, and there was a section for Comparing and Ordering Numbers called "Fortune Tellers;" it was a bank setting, so they were bank tellers, yet they had crystal balls, which we avoid. 4-5 Language Arts: I don't feel that multiple choice is comprehension; there was also a "cutesy" quote regarding multiple choice which said "Creativity and Imagination are Over-rated." There are some sections where the student can type in an original answer, but they are able to type in a one-word answer, not a complete sentence, and they could use an idea presented and not have to think it through and come up with an original answer. By this grade level the program is using "weird" characters that are mouthy and obnoxious. I wouldn't let my kids spend time with people like that in real life, so I don't really want such characters teaching my children, either. Concerning the literature choices for 4th and 5th grade, I'll just say that I would not use a secular literature program that picks the literature for me. There were too many concepts I did not agree with, including Buddhism and Native American beliefs. 4-5 Math: Hmmm, I can't find any notes for this! I do know that my daughter wasn't "doing" the tutorials and/or reading the directions, so I had to explain that those weren't bonus programs but a necessary part of the teaching! In summmary, I like how Time4Learning explains terminology and concepts in both math and language arts. The program is entertaining, which can be motivating for the students. But the bottom line is that this is not a program we would use for our core curriculum, and the only section we would use to supplement would be the math. Therefore, I don't think it would be cost effective for our family, nor would we have enough time for 3 children to use it with one computer. Thanks for stopping by! Danielle |
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