Is T4L a complete program for Maryland

[lakeshorebeevers]

I have been homeschooling for 3 years. I have a 9th, 5th and 3rd graders and we have been using a variety of book curriculum. This year we don't seem so fired up like the past and we are in a bit of a slump. My kids love playing on the computer and I have checked out the demos, etc for T4L but I am still not sure. How does T4L compare content wise with Abeka and MOH, etc.? Also does T4L surpass MD state requirements or just meet??? Thanks, Michelle

[JohnEdelson]

Hi, I thought I'd quote a section on the topic of being a "complete program" that is part of our Getting Started Homeschooling Hints section (and I think it's in our Welcome to Homeschooling Guide too). It's advice from Kelly who also moderates this forum.

Is Time4Learning a complete homeschool curriculum?

I would be cautious about a curriculum that promised to be all that your child will ever need. My children are each very different so I treat each one appropriately. As an example, here is the starting point that I would take for a second grader in language arts and math.

Starting with the language arts program, reading is very important to us so our schedule includes a weekly library visit to pick up new books. There is an hour of daily reading. Beginning readers read aloud to mom.

My children write in their journals each day for 15 minutes. We have rotating assignments through the week including summaries of books we’ve read, reflections on the weekend, and summary of lessons from Time4Learning. On Friday, they choose their favorite journal entry from the week, correct any spelling, punctuation, or grammar errors and write the edited version in their best penmanship.

I have a handwriting program to develop fine motor skills and learn penmanship.

Our family uses Time4Learning for the bulk of our language arts curriculum. Time4Learning's language arts curriculum is thorough in its coverage of phonics, grammar, vocabulary, verbal comprehension and reading comprehension. If I feel my child needs additional practice on a certain language concept, I can usually find it in the Time4Learning language arts extensions. I use their scope and sequence to help me choose enrichment activities and to schedule them.

I have children with a range of math abilities and Time4Learning has been a good choice for all of them. I add math drills for the kids who need it.

[MamaToHerRoo]

Hi Michelle,
Well, if I were to say it was complete I would not be completely accurate. Here is what I have found. For children who do not write well (penmanship, or motor issues) T4L may be quite complete as most of the work is done online. My experience is this: for the lower grades such as early elementary it was more than adequate for my child's needs. As we reached upper elementary I needed to suppliment more. This was not because of holes in the T4L program, but because my child was hungry for more information. Every child is different, and the goals of each parent are set at different levels. My recommendation is to try T4L. It might be just what you need to jump start the fires. If it is not a good fit for your children you will know within some trial period. You can cancel anytime as there are no contracts. A great benefit is that T4L does a great deal of record keeping for you, and lightens the burden of planning.
I cannot compare directly with Abeka and MOH, as I have not used them personally. I would love to see some of the other Maryland parents chime in on this. Obviously they will lean a bit toward T4L if they are posting here, but maybe they can tell you why they lean that way!
T4L is based on national standards, and so from that stand point it should meet MD requirements. The question you may be asking is the state of Maryland going to accept T4L as self-contained curriculum or are they going to be hesitant about a curriculum that is mostly on the computer. I don't know the answer to that question, I will see what I can find out. Other Maryland homeschoolers please feel free to express your personal experience regarding this.
Chime in Maryland parents!

Linda
State Representative
Board Moderator and...
Homeschooler of one!

[Unregistered]

Just wanted to bump the posting in hope that more HS parents out there could comment on it. I very interested in how the MD looks at the T4L curriculum at the time of the reviews.

[sister of a homeschooler]

hello my brother is in a bit of a pickle he wants to home school because he has reading an learning issues i want to homeschool him but not sure how to get started any suggestions thanks so much
-confused

[Jim M]

I found out about Time4Learning from the Pupil Personnel Worker at school. She is the one who sent us the paperwork to fill out for Home Schooling.

She sent me a list of options for home schooling also and as I was evaluating T4L, it looked like a perfect match for my 7 year old daughter. I emailed the Pupil Personnel Worker and asked for her thoughts about T4L and she told me that the parents who use it have been satisfied with their results. I figure that if Maryland had a problem with T4L, she would have told me right there. Instead, she processed our paperwork that day (Friday) and notified the school letting us know that our daughter could start Home School the following Monday.

My daughter is so excited. Maryland hasn't given us any trouble at all with switching to home schooling.

[Unregistered]

T4L meets many of the subjects required, it seems; however, don't forget according to MD COMAR it shall include 'regular, thorough instruction' in art, music, health and PE also. COMAR: Maryland Homeschool Association | Homeschool Regulations

"Instruction Program. The home instruction program shall:

(1) Provide regular, thorough instruction in the studies usually taught in the public schools to children of
the same age;

(2) Include instruction in English, mathematics, science, social studies, art, music, health, and physical
education; and ...."

We use musiclearningcommunity.com as base of our Music curriculum. It's a game based, full music curriculum, designed, I believe, by education, music and computer folks from Northwestern U. is heartily embraced by music instruction professionals internationally. We've been impressed with scope, depth, rigor and sound design of their play based music learning games and some games work with midi piano plug in as well.
Brainpop.com and brainpopjr have good Health and Art curriculum supplements.