? about homeschool curriculum

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I am using Switched on Schoolhouse. I would like to know if someone else is using this type of curriculum.

-- Judy (allsmile@ctnet.net), November 30, 2000

Answers

I use SOS for Language Arts for 6th and 8th grades, and Geometry and Chemistry for an 11th grader. I like it because it makes them be diligent to be complete and correct in their answers. Also, I expect them to get A's and if they don't I erase the grade and they do the lesson again. Mary

-- Mary Fraley (kmfraley@orwell.net), November 30, 2000.

I was interested in Switched On, but my understanding is that it's all on line. A concern that I have with homeschooling on the computer is damage to eyes. I know our kids need computer skills, but I also know that I had 20/20 vision all through high school & after, then when I got a job where I had to stare at a monitor for hours at a time I suddenly needed correction. Three of my siblings experienced the same thing, was it just age (I was only 23 when I needed contacts) & going to happen anyway or because we all use computers regularly?

-- Lenore (archambo@winco.net), November 30, 2000.

Hi Judy, a good friend of mine used Switched on Schoolhouse. Her kids enjoyed it at first, but then got tired of only being able to do their lessons on the computer. With others, they could do part of their work on the way to, or at grandparents house. That's all I know on this curriculum.

-- Lena(NC) (breezex4@go.com), November 30, 2000.

Judy, My 2 kids (3rd and 6th grade) seem to really enjoy using their SOS. We are using the science, math, history and health. Our language arts is the paper version from Alpha Omega,and we do other subjects off the computer.

-- Cathey (uptain@familyconnect.com), November 30, 2000.

I use SOS for my 2 kids. It has several advantages for us. My son is a lousy speller. The program won't accept a misspelled word so it makes him redo it till he gets it right. We also bought a new farm that needs lots of work. With as much as I need to do around here I'm afraid we would neglect their schooling a bit if we didn't have the computer program. I really like that it is all bible based. Not to mention that it is just plain cool. I like to mess around with it. It also seems to be fairly advanced....I know I didn't learn this type of stuff at their ages!

-- Amanda in Mo (aseley@townsqr.com), November 30, 2000.


Lenore, I think your eye problems are just heredity, thats what my eye Dr. tells me, you will most likely need bifocals about the time one of your parents did, my eyes have gotten progressively worse for the last 10 yrs and allergies also, and I only got the computer last year, I'll need bifocals next year, and won't be able to pass my eye test at the DPS next time I renew either. Can't wear contacts due the allergies. Glad to hear more people are using SOS we're using A.O lifepacs and I bought a Science SOS just haven't loaded it yet, but the demo is AWESOME, they will send you one for free!

-- Carol in Tx (cwaldrop@peoplescom.net), November 30, 2000.

Lenore, I agree that computer eye strain is a contributing factor in poor eyesight as is any type of near work. Old time people used to know that. Nowadays doctors call poor eyesight hereditary. I have come to believe as do a large number of professionals out there, that poor eyesight is not necessarily hereditary. Poor eyesight can be prevented and improved. Do a research on eye therapy on the internet or look at a book store for eye therapy. Some eye therapy from long ago (namely the Bates method) is now considered bunk, or at least some of it. But there are other types of eye therapy today that are considered very helpful in improving eyesight.

-- R. (thor610@yahoo.com), December 01, 2000.

What's up Judy ?I am a homeschooler too and really tired of buying stuff that I don't like or can't use.I was thinking of buying sos for next year,what do you think of it?Can you print off some work to do or does it all have to be done on line? Thanx for your help

-- teri (mrs_smurf2000@yahoo.ca), December 01, 2000.

It's me,Cathey, again. I'm a big proponent of Alpha Omega. Their Switched-On-Schoolhouse can be used with their on-line "Bridgestone Academy" but not exclusively. We bought the software (if you wait until April everything is 20% off, 15% off in May.) The program will do almost all the grading and record keeping for you, yes you can print out lessons, you can use the default school calendar or set up your own.... I could go on and on. It's pretty cool. And I agree, it seems advanced, I don't remember learning basic genetics in 6th grade. Here's their website: www.switched-onschoolhouse.com

-- Cathey (uptain@familyconnect.com), December 01, 2000.

Yes, I was wondering the same thing about being able to print off some of the reading pages, I wasn't to concerned about the eyesight thing but just wondered if sitting at the computer for all his schoolwork might get tedious or boreing for him. That's why we just bought one subject to try it out. The demo was really neat for him. You can get the demo at. www.home-schooling.com/hs/SOS.html When I sd earlier I was glad to hear more people using it, is I'm glad so I can get more feedback on it. That is very interesting about the eyesight thing, I just repeated what my doc told me, and my eyes are changing at the same time my parents eyes did, thats why I accepted his explanation.

-- Carol in Tx (cwaldrop@peoplescom.net), December 01, 2000.


Carol, I'm still not sure, my parents didn't need correction until their late 50's, & yet their 5 kids that use computers all needed glasses/contacts by early 20's. I just remember when I was a kid my parents wouldn't let me sit too close to the tv for the same reason, & now look how close we sit to these monitors! The number of kids who wear glasses now has greatly increased from when I was a kid. There has to be a reason, just seems that modern technology might be it. I'm glad someone mentioned just using SOS for a couple of classes, I might consider that rather than a whole curriculum. As with other things moderation may be the key.

-- Lenore (archambo@winco.net), December 01, 2000.

Thanks to all who contributed answers. Hope you all enjoyed the holidays. God Bless.

-- Judy (allsmile@ctnet.net), December 02, 2000.

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