I suppose this question should be directed at Terie, hope that’s ok. 
)
Terie, if you don’t mind, I would love to hear how you feel Time4Learning compares to the curriculum that is being used for Natalie in public school. I rarely have an opportunity to talk to many public schoolers about the curriculum they use, and never to public schoolers that use Time4Learning. )
Do you feel like Time4Learning covers everything that her teachers are covering? Do you have an opinion of whether or not T4L excels in the core subjects, or do you feel like areas are lacking? Do you think that T4L meets the same standards that are set forth on the school system? Just so you know…I am not looking for vindication in my decision to homeschool, nor am I looking to “down” public schools. I am not a general public school basher. ) Unfortunately I do have very strong, negative opinions regarding my own very rural school system, but I realize that there are excellent school districts in this country and for some kids, public school could really be the best option.
Again, I hope that you don’t mind me asking you these things directly. I am truly interested in hearing from you, as a mom that has a child in public school. As a homeschooler, I generally only talk about “school” with other homeschoolers. I think it’s wonderful to hear how Natalie is progressing both in school and at home with you and Time4Learning. )
Thanks! )
Oh – I am not yet familiar with everyone posting on this blog…if there are other parents who have children in public school and are using Time4Learning, it would be fantastic to hear from you as well! )
Terie
October 18, 2007 | 9:39 pm1
Hey Kat,
I don’t mind at all answering your questions. I have high regards for home schooling parents and kids as well. I keep that as an open option just in case I run into problems in one of the many schools my children will attend during our time in the Military. It’s inevitable for us, we move frequently.
Right now I find that Natalie’s curriculum and that of T4L is pretty close. We generally review at the end of the week all her work from the previous week and also what’s to come next week and that helps me to decide which assignments she’ll do in the classroom. For example, if they are working on the letters t and m, then shell work on those, even if the other letters are not the same. It always works out.
The advantages I see in T4L as opposed to classroom environment is that Natalie can move through the lessons fairly quickly without waiting for others to “get it” or repeating the same thing over and over. If I feel that she needs a refresher course in any letter section or number section then we go back over those lessons. We haven’t had to do that, except for the money and calendar sections.
She has been doing 3-4 lessons at a time in the kindergarten section because they are easy for her and she already decided that she wants to start doing the 1st grade lessons. Needless to say, she’s ahead of most kids her age and grade level. I have to keep her engaged in learning activities so that she doesn’t get bored with the learning process.
I do feel that T4L is covering everything so far. I guess there may be some areas not covered but I have not read the entire Kindergarten curriculum so I wont speculate. I’m just excited to see how quickly Natalie is picking up the phonics and learning to put words together, etc.
Hope this answers some of your questions.
Terie