Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums General Discussion Homeschool concerns

Kimck.... Have you loked at Supercharged Science? It offers a ton of hands on learning. There are something like 900 experiments available. There are also videos of every one if you don't have the time or material to do them yourself.

Oh, I see, Kim. I've loved Plato precisely because they don't require so much hands-on stuff. The applications in Plato are like experiments, but without the mess and prep time. (I am the laziest homeschooler ever. LOL!)

I am thinking about doing experiments this summer, when we can do more stuff outside. I'll look at Supercharged Science. Thanks, Shari.

ROFL - I'm the laziest homeschooler ever because I just wanted to plunk DS at the computer a couple times a week and for him to work through Plato, but he's just not buying it! I wish he would at least tolerate it! I'm all about no prep/no mess. It would probably work if I'd work through it with him, but then I'd just rather have a text book and sit on the couch.

I'm thinking of some messier stuff for summer too. We are doing a big garden this year that the kids are going to have partial control over. We have some fun books - like Backyard Ballistics and Totally Irresponsible Science that are great for backyard fun. DH and DS did build a catapult recently

Shari - have you bought their program? I've dug around on their site, but was put off by the pricing of their package. The format looks good! I'm willing to pay, but it has to be really exceptional and not something I could put together on my own, you know what I mean?

I'd even consider trying plato again with 24 hour access if it's still reasonably priced in the fall (we did 3 hour access). The short access time kills us too!

Oh awesome the lazy homeschooler forum! Saweeet! Once you guys figure it all out could you send me a pm with all the details? hehehehe That's really all I have to add.

KimCK Borders has Singapore Science curriculums. FYI and today is the last day for teacher appreciation with 30% off.

Yeah, I don't love the 3-hour window. I'm glad that the Homeschool Buyers' Co-op got access back, but the 3-hour window is a pain. We just worked it into our schedule pretty strictly, whether we like it or not. Since we do have a relatively routine schedule, it works okay.

We had trouble with Plato not being as independent as I wanted it to be last year. This year, it's working great. Other than one more year of age and maturity, I'm not sure what has changed.

Kim, does your DS like other computer-based work? Or is it perhaps the computer that's the problem? Would he prefer a book, too?

And hkc75: LOL! You know we'll get right on that. Ha!

I regret my choice for 3 hour time slot of Plato (12-3pm). I wish we would have done morning or just paid for full access. DS has actually been really great about cranking out the vast majority of his work on his own. I think it's just hard to come back to after lunch! He generally loves other computer based work and clamors for it. He does all sorts of science "research" on his own on the computer. Something about Plato Science was just not gelling for us this year!? Being more structured about the days and times we were going to do it would have helped for sure. He's got this very deep understanding of some areas. I just want to make sure he's got a good broad overview before he hits high school level work.

Kim,

Depending on what you choose it can be pricey. We originally started with the basic e-science course which has a fee of $27.00 a month. It covers middle school. My DS needed more information so we bumped it up to the high school level which is $47.00 a month. One good thing about having a kid that moves quickly is the hope that it won't take him as long as the average and I won't have to pay for too long!

The program is different in any other science I've seen in that it starts with an experiment which naturally brings up lots of questions. Then you move to the text and research to answer those questions. It is designed to give your child a readiness level of college when it's completed. Access is 24/7. You can e-mail any questions you have and they are really good about responding quickly. They have tele-class once a month which is designed to kick of a new unit. It has worked really well for us. The other thing I like is that the site is constantly updated with new experiments (they e-mail the new ones so you know when they're added)Since we've signed up they've added two new units and are working on more. The next one planned is Thermodynamics. I am completely inept when it comes to science so this is great for me as it is all laid out nice and neat. Lesson plans, exercises, shopping lists for the experiments etc.
They will also align their program with you if you are currently using Singapore, Bob Jones or whatever.

They have a 30 day trial for a dollar which is how we originally got started. It may not be what the hard core science purists are looking for but it is teaching my son concepts that he never would have learned if he had to rely on me.

The 30 days for $1 trial might be nice for us for the summer if it's still an option. Thanks. We will need to find something else for next year, either moving up to the high school level Plato courses, using the science at our school-for-homeschoolers (and I'm not sure they'll be academic enough), or trying something new.

Probably we'll end up with some combo of the 3.