Alpha Omega and Lifepacs are what I call “school at home” programs. If your students don’t do well in a formalized school setting, I would avoid anything that LOOKS like school. I don’t think school at home and textbook programs will be too helpful for such students. I do sometimes recommend those programs, but usually for people who have been homeschooling awhile and need a break from the hands-on part of homeschooling. If you are coming from a public school, I think you’ll do best with a more hands-ON program, keeping in mind that you don’t have to be there 100% of the time because your student will be somewhat independent. Remember, though, that as his parents YOU always know best. Another history curriculum that I love and you can look at is Around the World in 180 Days.
It’s not a literature based program, it’s a research based program. If your student likes looking things up on the internet, and this would be a good way for them to use that learning style. It does have some reading suggestions as well. It’s a Kindergarten through 12 program, so you choose the worksheets that apply to the ability level of your student. Your student will do the research, fill out the worksheets or do the required reading and writing. I always thought it looked like a TON of fun, but it was a repeat of Sonlight Level 5, that my kids had already done. But it’s a very easy, inexpensive curriculum. Here are other reviews:
http://www.lamppostpublishing.com/geographyaroundworld180days.htm
http://www.thehomeschoolmagazine.com/Homeschool_Reviews/reviews.php?rid=1137
http://www.eclectichomeschool.org/reviews/individual_review2.asp?revid=1751
I hope this helps.
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Christianbook.com Curriculum Page
J W says:
Hi there! There’s another way to use “workbooky” curriculae such as Alpha Omega. You can use it as a skeleton. That’s what I plan on doing with my hands-on learner. I considered KONOS, which is pretty much all hands-on, but I can’t stand reading paragraph after paragraph about how to set up an activity. I can come up with my own activities almost instantly. I even came up with tons of additional activities for Sonlight (see http://gravypages.whitezone.us/), which has as much activity as some home schoolers care to handle!
June 20th, 2008 at 7:47 pm
Lee says:
Excellent point, Joelle! You can use a workbook as a spine the same way you use textbooks.
I have to admit that my kids loved workbooks (loved reading more, but enjoyed workbooks very much.) I loved having them use workbooks when they were younger, because it gave me a free 15 minutes to do laundry or do the dishes. Even in high school, a workbook can actually be “SAT Math Flash” or other SAT prep study.
Blessings,
Lee
June 21st, 2008 at 11:58 am
karen says:
Around the world in 80 days looks like a great book. I will have to check it out.
February 18th, 2010 at 3:05 pm