We have been home-educating our children for over 15 years. I am fairly traditional and somewhat boring in my curriculum choices. Early on I found myself overwhelmed with options and alternatives. Frankly, it was paralyzing. I waded through the available curriculum, found what works for our family and now I rarely change our methods. (The exception to this is the material I utilize for my hearing impaired son – I jump through hoops and try almost every new product on the market for him!) I have not ever attended a homeschool conference. The thought of hundreds of new products being promoted all at once is mind-boggling.
I do selectively review new products – one at a time in the privacy of my own home. In this manner, I have been able to make informed decisions and changes in my educational material that have benefited my children over the years. At this point, the products I add to our educational cache are generally supplemental material: games, drills, and extra educational activities. For example, I have utilized the games Math-It and Verb Garden this year along with a few new math drills.
One product that I have added this year to our daily routine is ClickNRead Phonics. It is an internet based phonics program based on advanced reading research. It is a resource that is scientifically founded and instills the important skills necessary for successful reading in children. I have been very pleased with the programs exercises, pace, and emphasis. The program allows children to work in an independent environment. It is fun and engaging although I do not agree with the products’ claim that it is “the child’s favorite part of their day” – it is work. It also provides assessment reports and printable worksheets for review.
ClickNRead Phonics is a stand alone reading program based on 100 lessons. It offers a “learn to read guarantee” and it is actually quite reasonable. At this point, I am utilizing it to supplement other programs I have in place.
In the words of Rocks In My Dryer: ClickN Read Phonics definitely Works For Me! For other great ideas visit the Works for Me Wednesday meme.
“Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.” — Joseph Addison
Tags: curriculum, meme, web resource, Works for Me Wednesday
I love your approach to homeschooling..finding what works for your family and sticking to it! Great advice! We’ll “officially” begin with our oldest when she turns 5 next year.
And you’re right…paralyzing is exactly the way I feel now as I look to see what things we’ll use next fall. I’m already overwhelmed by the gazillions of kindergarten curriculum choices out there. Apparently homeschooling is BIG business for some.
Your post came at just the right time! Thanks for enlightening me (once again!).
Thanks for the tip. I’m going to check it out.
I haven’t heard of this resource. It looks good though. Everybody is already reading, except baby boo, who really isn’t a baby anymore. I’m cut out of a different cloth, I’ve never done the same thing for two years in a row, and even this year we are doing something different again!! Hey, do really think I can call it homeschooling when I am hiring out their teachers? They only go once a week. My kids said to me “Hey we ARE still homeschooled you know, just not mommy-schooled”. We still have to do all of our work at home!
The beauty of homeschooling your children is that you are in the drivers seat – you make choices that serve your family and children best! My children take some of their classes via the internet, and their P.E. is on a tennis court or a golf course – not at “home”. So, of course, you can call it what ever you wish!
Thanks for that last comment. I’m having homeschool mommy guilt since I’m not the teacher anymore (as much). I am in the support role, but it’s not the same as teaching them everything! Thanks for your comments about my fru-fru dress. I waited until the very end to put it on, since I wasn’t sure if I would fit in. Then again, I NEVER fit in.. LOL. People were kind and receptive to us new-comers. See? Wouldn’t it be fun to make our first “eyeball” of each other at something like this? We took a room at the Mariott on priceline! (only $45.00, which included breakfast!) Too much fun!!!