I was planning to begin homeschooling in 2012 but am so dissatisfied with my son's schooling that I want to get everything in place to start in Aug 2011. My kids will be 6 and 8 but my immediate concern is my 8 year-old who will be going to 3rd grade. He has a very high IQ, diagnosed with ADHD (more like overall immature frontal cortex), technically inclined, loves science. I think he would do well with an internet-based program that I can supplement. I've been looking into what's available and plan to attend a homeschooling convention in July. This year will be a bit challenging because my husband and I both work part-time so he will probably be teaching 2 days a week and I'll do the rest; but we are on the same page about this. Any suggestions on online programs and tips would be greatly appreciated? Thanks in advance.
He can go as far as he wants and work each subject either on schedule or advance as he likes. If he doesn't have enough work at his level he can email them and they'll add more.
Also cosmeo.com has 30,000+ awesome documentaries at every age level and subject. It goes through highschool and has an easy to follow math tutorial. We love it. They are both CHEAP! Between the two of those we have everything covered.
Here is what our good friends (both are scientists and are currently sailing around the world with their son) wrote on homeschooling materials. They have very high standards. I found it very interesting:
In our ongoing quest to find good homeschooling materials for our son, we have discovered two online sites with free courses that we really like (an understatement). One is called "HippoCampus". Our son has started using the AP Biology and it is wonderful. It is so good, in fact, that we recently switched his science and history courses from another for-pay course site (BYU -- very underwhelming) to this one.
With both of the HippoCampus courses I want do as much side-by-side learning, or eavesdropping, with him as I can. These are not a stand-alone courses; most students would need a teacher or parent to supplement the presentations, but the materials are top-notch and would also help any student who was in a traditional or weak course.
The other online course site is the Khan Academy. It is an amazing collection of free lectures in math and science. They recently have added an "exercise dashboard" for the math series, set up to feel a bit like a game with your effort and progress tallied visually and broadly with a point system. Our son and his friend in Arkansas are now both using it and comparing notes on where they are. The Khan Academy materials would be helpful for students from middle school the college level. Check it out. It is totally free.
I am a taken aback by the realization that my assumptions that "you get what you pay for" are not holding up in the realm of online educational materials. BYU's courses each cost $126, but the two we have tried have been very weak -- as if they have not been updated in years or a decade. Also, their promised instructor feedback is embarrassingly poor. In fact, we are asking for 2 refunds from BYU and moving on to these much better free sites. HippoCampus and the Khan Academy are enriching our son's studies of US History, Biology, and Math. He is also enjoying the Teaching Textbooks Algebra program and connecting with far away friends using Google's video chatting tools.
All I can say is check out the blog freely educate. It has a plethora of resources that are free. There are even some free curriculum out there so read up!
We really enjoyed time4learning - it's cheap, and it has very high reviews
Have you looked into advanced placement for your 3rd grader? I just retired as a teacher from the Madison District. At the school I was at they have a program called the REACH, which is geared for students who have a very high IQ. It is an advanced placement so the students are constantly challenged,they are also implemented a high technology piece next year where the students will be given their own Tablet computer, along with a new curriculum geared towards STEM, which is Science, Math and Technology based. I am not selling the school by any means, but the program could be incredible for your child. I would be happy to give more input if you would like, or if you are research online education because your child loves technology and science look for a STEM based program. Hope you find some good resources!
We loved Mesa Distance Learning Program for our daughter. The curriculum is entirely online, with a certified teacher as the guide. Although the curriculum follows AZ standards, it seems to be more technology centered. The nice thing about it is that it is so well coordinated that you/your hubby can easily switch off as teachers. Also, you can move at your own pace, and the child can advance to the next grade when ready. I think their online program is far better than Mesa Public Schools (we lived down there until recently), and the program is free to enroll in, and they provide everything you need. Google Mesa Distance Learning Program.
www.Desiderataschool.org has a great program and they are now teaming up with The Tutoring Club to offer more personal face to face guidance. This program will also be the only online program approved by the NCAA to allow kids to compete in JS and HS sports programs.
There are plenty of other online supplemental resources as well and many of them are free.
www.Starfall.com and www.Time4learning.com are two of my favorites.
As a side note, I was home schooled my whole life and I love it. We planning on home schooling our children as well.
Good Luck
connections academy. My son goes there. It is a great school.. online live lessons. you log in to the school site each day and you will see lesson plans. see grades.. they send you the supplies you need even a computer if needed. They are awesome. My son loves it. my other son is enrolled for next year (he starts kindergarten) what I like is the child can also work at his pace. as long as work is done in a certain time limit..
they also have feild trips. google connections academy and you can find out more. oh its also free. its an online charter school and your children will have a real teacher. You will just be the learning coach and must log attendance in each day. My son struggled in beginning of school year but with some extra lessons and help they gave him via online sites. he is reading books now.. they are amazing.
