We received a 6 month subscription to the Time4Learning website's 8th grade interactive curriculum which my daughter has been using for math, language, and art. Initially we hoped that the online format would be a way for her to complete math and grammar lessons more independently. Lesson plans covered in the courses are shared for each grade. Pre-K through 8th grade courses are available for $19.95 per student per month and can be used as a complete curriculum or as a supplement. All subjects are not available in their 8th grade programs, though students can complete the 7th grade science and social studies if parents desire that.
The language lessons are designed so that you take a lesson followed by a quiz. When the first lesson had a game show format, my daughter said instead of a lesson that it was more like something fun to do.
Instead of a live person, the teacher is a cartoon character. At times additional characters were added such as students that couldn't understand words. Vocabulary word definitions were explained and flashed on the screen. They were also used in a sentence. Each lesson could be re-viewed until understood. Like the lessons, quizzes were presented in a way that made it seem more like a game than work. Bonus rounds give students the opportunity to earn extra points.
In the parent administration section (available only by logging in with a password), I was able to view reports of her work. These included not only grades but even how long she spent on each section. Students were also able to see their scores after completing each round. Below is a sample of one of her reports:
So I was able to view individual problems as well as total scores. I especially appreciated that feature. If desired, parents can also schedule assignments in that section. The program is flexible. For each subject parents can move their child up or down a complete grade level to better meet their individual needs. It also gave them the option to repeat information on their current lesson until understood. (Their high school lessons are not interchangeable with these, so 8th graders do not have access to the 9th grade lessons.)
My daughter found the language art component not incredibly difficult, but also not simple. New words were explained until understood. The math, though, was more difficult for her. At first we reviewed her schedule together and I encouraged her to do enough each week to complete the lessons in the school year, then I let her determine how much to do each day. Several weeks later I learned that some days she had spent over 2 hours just on the math lessons. She did come to me for assistance with some of the math lessons, saying that the explanations were not detailed enough for her to grasp the concepts.
Several weeks after starting Time4Learning, my daughter gained access to their art lessons. Also with a cartoon teacher, these cover a range of topics centered around actual works of art.
Time4Learning does not use books to coordinate with the online lessons, but there were prompts when worksheets could be downloaded and printed to use with specific lessons. An internet connection is required, but these lessons can be done from any computer.
Several weeks after starting Time4Learning, my daughter gained access to their art lessons. Also with a cartoon teacher, these cover a range of topics centered around actual works of art.
Time4Learning does not use books to coordinate with the online lessons, but there were prompts when worksheets could be downloaded and printed to use with specific lessons. An internet connection is required, but these lessons can be done from any computer.
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Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this product through the Schoolhouse Review Crew in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family. I am disclosing this in accordance with FTC regulations.
We have been using Time4Learning off and on for years but we are not quite to that level yet as my daughter is 6th/7th grade. I know for some of her lessons over the years they do have a literature list to go along with some lessons. She really liked that art program!
ReplyDeleteWhat I really like about it is that now at her level she is able to work through most of her lessons independently. She even wakes up before me (should I admit that? ;) and does a lot of her work early in the morning!
My daughter has continued to use this. She is my most independent child and likes being able to work through these lessons. (Most of the time without help.)
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