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hsmom
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I am trying to discern whether or not the K12 virtual public school on-line would be the extra help I may need right now. I see a lot of the benefits to it. I've always thought I'd like to sort of have a tutor for my dd 9, but couldn't afford it. Sort of like having someone else to be accountable to. So.......what I'm wondering is what would the downside be? There is also a time4learning site but it's not free and I don't know if it really would replace a full core curriculum. I would really like to hear from anyone regarding these programs. What I'm hoping is that they will cover the basics and we would still have time for enrichment or lapbooking about the subject,read alouds, etc. Thanks, Valerie
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mom2mpr
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We have access to this as a virtual school also. I have considered it. I still consider it. The reason I haven't jumped is losing my freedom. We only get through math and LA most days. I just can't see having someone looking over my shoulder putting more pressure on me than I already do  Also, I can change programs if I don't feel they are working. I can school through the summer if I need to and take breaks when I want, or need.
That said I have heard it is a wonderful curriculum. When I lived in Va people raved about it, but it was expensive. Here I can get it for free and my VA friends were thinking I was crazy not to do it. It is that public school tie in that affects me.
I have talked to people here who do use it and they love it. They do say the teachers are wonderful, understanding and the record keeping isn't bad. Logging hours they do allow some leeway--for example you can log bible or religion as history. They need to see progress through the curriculum on one hand, hours logged on the other. They are like two parallel tracks. The people who use it also say it is a lot of work. You don't have to do everything they suggest if your kid gets the concept being taught, but it is a lot of time and work for parents. You also have face to face meetings that are required a few times a year-and they are usually a hike for us, and testing at the same times as the public schools. Again, not usually close and need sitters, etc.
It doesn't appear to leave a lot of free time. So not sure if you could add in a lot.
I personally decided instead of taking that huge plunge I needed to be more disciplined. I don't need someone else to run my school. So, I am struggling and trying and it is getting a little easier.
Anyhow, those are my very disorganized thoughts after much research into the subject last year.
Hope it helps you.
Anne
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Macmom
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| Posted: Jan 03 2008 at 1:43pm | IP Logged
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The families I know who use it say it IS very time consuming, with almost no time to "add in" the main reason why WE homeschool- teaching the Catholic Faith. I find that a HUGE drawback- to educate with no reference to religion (except as an "afterthought" that mom adds in) and no time for more formal religious instruction.
Its a factor you need to consider.
That being said, there is no perfect curriculum. They all have drawbacks. The biggest drawback to any homeschool curriculum is that mom needs to be accountable and on top of things. If mom is dropping the ball (unorganized, etc.) then the home and homeschool suffers. Mom needs to be on task and on her game at all times. I wish they could package THAT in a box! :-)
Peace,
Macmom
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Catholic family life works on the same principle as a washing machine- clothes get clean by agitation.
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lapazfarm
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Macmom wrote:
If mom is dropping the ball (unorganized, etc.) then the home and homeschool suffers. Mom needs to be on task and on her game at all times. I wish they could package THAT in a box! :-)
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Now, there's an idea..."Mom in a Box"! I want one!
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Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
LaPaz Home Learning
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mimmyof5
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| Posted: Jan 03 2008 at 9:16pm | IP Logged
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I have used the K12 curriculum through a charter school in our state in the past. I did this as I was at the end of my rope (nursing my ailing father, husband lost his job twice, sister having serious emotional issues, etc.) It did what I wanted: provided a well-rounded, rigorous curriculum that I didn't have to pull together with the oversight of a contact teacher.
Drawbacks: Extremely time intensive, very little time for reading. Bi-monthly teacher conferences, submitting work samples, tracking hours and progress. We were part of a public school, therefore, we had to test, show progress, check in with the teacher. Plus, I hear that the requirements have increased every year (I'm no longer part of the school). If we wanted to take time off to follow a rabbit trail for a 'few' days, we paid for it later in playing catch-up. We were required to reach 100% completion in most core classes including history and 90% completion in others (art, music, science). Very stressful and not much wiggle room. This was because we were part of a school instead of independent users.
This is particular to my child, but my daughter could not control herself on the internet. She was chatting with friends and visiting message boards every time I turned my back, which I didn't need, since I was nursing my dad at the time. I know this was a discipline problem, probably in large part due to the stress in my house, but it created huge problems in an already strained mother/daughter relationship. For her grade level, 7th, she was on the internet for most of the class time. I ended up withdrawing her before the end of the year. If you have a child whose mind wanders and wants to visit, the internet can be a huge temptation, even with filters.
The charter I was in didn't provide tutoring, just the contact teacher who was available by e-mail or phone for questions. No one-on-one teaching. Had my girls required tutoring, it would still have been up to me to provide it.
I guess I don't have much positive to say. The curriculum was well rounded and rigorous. It's all in one place - the internet. Would I use it again? No! I would probably use Seton or MODG if I felt I needed that kind of help again. In retrospect, I think my girls would have been off with a math workbook, pen and paper, and a lot of good literature. However, I know a mom of 5 who has been with the same charter for 6 years now, and she is pleased with it.
If you had any specific questions, I would try to answer them.
Janet
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hsmom
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| Posted: Jan 07 2008 at 7:21pm | IP Logged
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Thanks ladies. I decided for now just to do the time4learning.com site. It's not free, but it puts no restrictions on you either. We can pick and choose. Today was the first day of using it and dd was real excited. We already do MODG, but needed something different for a change.
Thanks, Valerie
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Nina
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Valerie,please keep us posted about the program and how it's working out for you.
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dancingmama
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| Posted: April 07 2008 at 12:57pm | IP Logged
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I see that I am a little late in posting to this thread, but I used K12 for two years.
I liked the cirriculum, but what I absolutely hated was having to do the attendence every day. If I didn't have it done by 4pm, I was receiving emails from our
"teacher." There is a program that tells you what you are supposed to be doing and when. But, it really doesn't allow for any "tweeking." The breaks are set in the schedule. I was told that you would change them up, but I didn't find that to be the case.
I was also given a bad time about not going on field trips with the K12 groups. I am involved with a local Catholic homeschooling group. Plus, some of the field trips were expensive, and didn't allow for children under 2 or sometimes 4 years old. I have two that age.
I know that you were able to purchase the cirriculum on it's own. I don't know if that is an option anymore.
So, long story short, I agree with Janet.
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Sarah M
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| Posted: April 07 2008 at 4:26pm | IP Logged
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Here is an article by Cathy Duffy on the K12 program. Might be of interest...
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12stars
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| Posted: May 06 2008 at 2:44pm | IP Logged
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This is what we are currently using and I have to say that the above is spot on I am soooo ready to just be over with this school year. I really dont mind the acountability in fact I kind of like it because for me since I am fairly new to homeschooling I feel as though I am doing ok I guess I am need of of affirmation. BUT, I am not happy with the fact that I cannot really teach to what works with my family, (well I do but they dont know it, sshhh) I have to always play catch up and the girls get  especially my youngest. She is always sneeking off to play when she gets a chance. The prep work is alot and for the most part I skip what I find redundant.
Next year I will still be doing a public charter and I have to do all the attendance and keep logs of what we do I also have to turn in a work sample. They allow for whatever type of schooling I want. I did this too with Kolbe last year for my sisters and it wasnt bad. All in all if you dont like to be accountable or you dont like the extras then independent is the way to go. I am slowly moving my way towards that.
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Claudia in Southern California
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Mom to DD 14, DD 10, DD 7, DS 4, DS 2, 1 in heaven, and now due 5/11.
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Willa
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I am glad you revived this topic. I had been just about to ask if anyone had used the program; I had heard good things about it from someone in my homeschool group and was wondering whether it could work for my child with special needs. I suppose the idea of the free materials and some help with the special needs component was attractive to me.
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Willa
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12stars
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It really is a good curriculum and it does work for alot of people, but I am ready for something else less confining and tailored more to our family. I really dont know about the special needs but I have seen many families doing CAVA with special needs so I am sure they must provide for families that need that.
The other charter that I am doing is different but I think they have so many vendors and I also have seen some special needs vendors you just need to ask around. We are located in Ca so are you but I know they have different charters going through your county.
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Claudia in Southern California
Wife to George,
Mom to DD 14, DD 10, DD 7, DS 4, DS 2, 1 in heaven, and now due 5/11.
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Willa
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| Posted: Sept 22 2009 at 10:11am | IP Logged
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Hey, I forgot all about this thread let alone that I had posted on it.
I was going to start a thread if I couldn't find one, and ask if anyone else is using the K12 program this year, either through a charter or not?
I enrolled two of my three still-at-home kids in the California Virtual Academy this year. This is a change of plans for me; I had planned to use Ambleside/Mater Amabilis/Latin Centered Curriculum again. It's the first year I have done any sort of charter program. That -- the fact of being enrolled with the government -- is my main queasiness about it at the present. On the other hand, we've paid for our kids' education out of our own pockets for close to 20 years and it is nice to have our taxpayer pay-outs for public schools come back to us for a change.
As for the program itself, I am enjoying the work. I am spending less time planning than I have in the past. I will say Claudia's younger daughter sounds just like my younger son. He is not too fond of the worksheet mode.
However, with it mostly planned out for me, I've been able to free up more time to read to him and go on nature walks. I think I will have an easier time planning the liturgical year and making it fun rather than schoolwork. We'll see.
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Willa
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stefoodie
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Willa, I'm considering this for high school next year (still on the comparison sheet are MODG and Kolbe) for my 13-yo and 11-yo ds. I have been sooooo against any public school/govt involvement from day 1 and have been resisting the pull of this free program for years. Recently I found out that 3 moms I know locally and whom I respect a lot (Catholic and 2 goes to our church) use this, so now I'm on the fence again.
I'm so scared of relinquishing control, particularly in the areas of history and science. History because we have so much excellent material on our shelves that we've been using for years and that I would like to keep using, science because it's my waterloo and I'm afraid of them encountering any anti-Catholic or anti-life material and me not being prepared to handle it or them getting sucked into secular thinking through this. That said, the OHVA we're thinking of using was designed by William Bennett, so maybe it won't be so bad.
You last posted on the thread in September. When you get the chance, would you mind posting how it's going now that you've been using it for several months?
Thanks so much!
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folklaur
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| Posted: Jan 23 2010 at 3:30pm | IP Logged
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We have been looking into this - but also Connections academy. Our state offers both options.
Connections includes things like Brainpop and Time 4 learning. plus, the people we have talked to about it personally here have raved.
i'm torn.
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Willa
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| Posted: Jan 25 2010 at 10:27am | IP Logged
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stefoodie wrote:
Willa, I'm considering this for high school next year (still on the comparison sheet are MODG and Kolbe) for my 13-yo and 11-yo ds. I have been sooooo against any public school/govt involvement from day 1 and have been resisting the pull of this free program for years. Recently I found out that 3 moms I know locally and whom I respect a lot (Catholic and 2 goes to our church) use this, so now I'm on the fence again.....
You last posted on the thread in September. When you get the chance, would you mind posting how it's going now that you've been using it for several months? |
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I shared your feelings about the public school involvement and still do share them to a large extent.
I am using K12 through CA charter with a first grader and an 8th grader.
I am pretty sure I am going to use it again with my younger one next year. Benefits:
--Chronological History approach
--Some classic "Book of Virtues" type literature, poetry memorization etc.
--Solid phonics and math program -- manipulative-based, logical, sequential.
--A fairly easy-going science survey with an emphasis on observation and experimentation.
---Music program uses the solfege method.
--A mastery formula, you can go at your own pace within limits, fairly flexible, lots of support.
--And they provide free materials and computer.
Drawbacks:
--Gov't supervision, need to prepare a portfolio, fairly close tracking.
--Lots of extra busy-work though you can skip a lot of it if your child doesn't need it.
--some twaddle in with the good stuff.
--A certain level of stress -- he's an eager learner but he is young enough to get frazzled by "too much".
For my first grader, it works because I can still incorporate a lot of our own stuff into the day and I've learned to mediate the rhythm to some degree so he doesn't get over-stimulated.
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For my 8th grader the particular advantages are:
--Record-keeping
--A structured, experiment-based science program.
--Lots of practice with writing (which he dislikes, but it is standard public-highschool prep type stuff and includes some things I think are worthwhile)
--He can self-start on the program since it's all laid out on the computer and I am more of a resource/guide. --They also teach study skills and provide lots of extra help if needed.... lots of standardized test taking support and practice.
--An excellent language program (Powerglide online)
--Generally quite good quality materials -- literature based and interactive.
The disadvantages:
--Secular nature of program (this is more of a problem at his level than at the first grader's because at his level, the program is mostly student-oriented and it takes a fair bit of time and energy so there's not much left over for Catholic formation}.
--It feels like a lot to keep up with -- tolerable this year, but in high school there is more direct accountability than there is this year.
For these reasons we've been considering whether he should do the charter in high school. We have not decided yet. I am feeling inclined against it at the moment, though I'll be sad to give up the good things about it.
I found college prep fairly stressful for my three older kids, even though they ended up doing respectably. So it would be nice to have that part of it all taken care of. But I have qualms about a completely secular formation in high school.
MODG syllabi (not enrollment) is probably our main alternative right now. If we did this, I'd probably try hard to stick with it closely and build on the habits my 8th grader undoubtedly developed this year.
I might try to farm out Latin somehow since I find it very hard to teach solo.
But it would cost money
Hope this helps, Stef. If you have any more questions please feel free to ask.
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Willa
hsing boys ages 11, 14, almost 18 (+ 4 homeschool grads ages 20 to 27)
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stefoodie
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Thank you so much, Willa! I'll be printing out and showing to dh. This is so very helpful. 
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stef
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Willa
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| Posted: Jan 25 2010 at 12:41pm | IP Logged
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Oh, and Stef, I'm sorry I missed one of your questions.
So far, no anti-Catholic or anti-life stuff in the science program for either grade. I believe that it generally was designed to be compatible with Christian belief. Eighth grade is mostly physical science -- an intro to physics and chemistry.
History -- well, there is a strong civic/moral slant, not always quite the way Catholics would focus. The middle grades use the Joy Hakim series. The modern history ones that my 8th grader are using are definitely geared towards issues like racial equality, womens' rights, fighting the big businesses, stuff like that. It's not in contradiction to Catholic thought, but it's not exactly in line with what I would put in first priority.
That's another uneasiness.
It's well done by public school standards but not ideal in that way.
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AMDG
Willa
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4Real Forums : Philosophy of Education
Topic: k12 virtual school
