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Sunday, September 11, 2011

TOS Review TIme 4 Learning

Computers are here to stay whether we fight them tooth and nail or embrace them.  As homeschoolers we have an amazing opportunity in the technology area because it is opening up new venues to help us on our journeys.  One such website is Time 4 Learning.
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Time4Learning is a new approach that takes advantage of today's technology. It's a convenient, online home education program that combines learning with fun educational teaching games.
The Time4Learning program has been refined through years of feedback from educators, parents, and students. Animated lessons are followed by interactive activities, printable worksheets, and assessments to assure a student's mastery of skills. The lessons teach the concepts that build a solid foundation and the exercises refine the skills and habits that provide ongoing success.

The Time4Learning educational software partner is CompassLearning®, which provides a standards-based online education curriculum for millions of students in school districts across the U.S.


Okay, but what is it?  Time 4 Learning is a website that has an online membership that then allows you to access their lesson plans that your children can use as their core curriculum or a supplement.  There are fun stories, pictures, questions and answers, and games to help the student learn the material.

When your child signs in they can choose which area they want to start in and that takes them to another screen filled with buttons.  They start on the left side and click a button which takes them to another screen to do the same thing.  Then the lesson begins.  Depending on their age/grade level the information is presented to them and a quiz is taken on the material.  Some levels and subjects have several "worksheets" to complete before a quiz is taken.  Once all the stars/buttons are complete in a given area they can choose another area and move through it in the same way.

Time 4 Learning covers Math, Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, and Reading.  Each area is covered at the grade the student is at but they also have access to three levels just in case the run into struggles or want to move ahead.

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The monthly membership is $19.95 for the first child and $14.95 for each additional child.  That membership includes:

  • Online curriculum for grades Pre-K through 8th
  • More than 1,000 interactive animated lessons
  • Self paced lessons that kids will enjoy working on
  • Math & algebra tutorials & printable worksheets
  • Language arts, phonics & grammar lessons
  • Interactive, project-based reading activities
  • Science (grades 1st - 6th) & social studies (grades 2nd - 7th)
  • Detailed reporting for easy record keeping
  • Extensive lesson plans & teaching tools for parents
  • and much more... 
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Now, what did we think about it?  My 1st and 4th graders loved it!  They thought the lessons were just the right length and gave them the information in a way they understood it.  They also loved playing on the playground! lol  My 7th and 8th graders thought it was fine.  It wasn't that they didn't like it but they are more of a hold the book and turn the page type of kids for History and Language Arts.  So I don't think it was anything against the website just a personal preference for them.
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I liked the Lesson Plan pages, being able to check on their progress, seeing what they are learning, and having them take control of their subjects.  I think it is a great option for some families but not one we would probably be able to afford with four kids for long.  It might be a good option to use as a way to supplement certain topics or subjects, though.  I can definitely see using this with just one child.  I would suggest making sure you know what they are learning as this is a secular curriculum and is taught from that mindset.

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Time 4 Learning is a great tool for homeschool families.  It covers grades PK-8th grade.  If you want to find out more head on over to their website and check out the Demo Lessons and all the other great information they have available on their FAQ page.  Don't forget to check out this page to get an overview of what subjects are taught for each grade level. 

You can also check out what other Crew members had to say about their experiences by heading over to the Crew Blog and reading all about it!





**I received a free month subscription to Time 4 Learning for my children through The TOS Crew in exchange for my honest review.

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1 comment:

Rodna Allman said...

I didn't even think about it being secular until we got into it,and then I realized that it was.