Switched-On Schoolhouse Science 5

This computer curriculum offers advantages over a text-based curriculum for both student and teacher. Please refer to the Curriculum/ Unit Studies section of this catalog for more in depth information on this product. New for 2018, the software comes on a USB flash drive. Minimum system requirements: Windows 7/ Windows 8 & 8.1 and Windows 10. (NOT Mac-compatible and no longer Windows XP-compatible).

LIFEPAC worktexts provide a complete, year-long science curriculum for each grade. From a Christian publisher, the approach is systematic mastery learning. It's very easy to teach from, with no need to write out lesson plans or prepare materials. You will have to gather equipment and materials for science experiments, however. Each grade contains 10 small consumable worktexts which the students progress through at their own pace. Each unit includes vocabulary, text, and comprehension questions to assure students retain the material. The science series is more activity-oriented than AOP's other subject LIFEPACs, with plenty of experiments to help illustrate science concepts. Grades 1-10 worktexts contain colorful illustrations; grades 11-12 are only available in black and white. Complete Boxed Sets also include a Teacher's Guide with teaching tips and answer keys. Sets of LIFEPACS only (no Teacher's Guides) are also available at each level for additional students.

In the past, we have been reluctant to offer a complete computer curriculum for two reasons: 1) the homeschooling family is relying on one publisher for the entire content of its schooling; and, 2) having a student sit in front of a computer all day seems restrictive. Switched-On Schoolhouse, from Alpha Omega Publishers, has eased our first concern and offers advantages over a text-based curriculum for both student and teacher. This curriculum offers all major subject areas (Bible, history & geography, language arts, math and science) from a solid biblical and academic perspective. Content is AOPs LIFEPAC series of worktexts, which has been enhanced by adding interactive, video and audio clips, games and animation. For instance, science experiments are shown via video clips. In geometry, three-dimensional objects are illustrated as computer-generated objects rotating in space. Big events in history, literature, and the Bible can be re-enacted and shown on video. Audio clips of vocabulary and spelling words give correct pronunciations. Students have the ability to print out charts and draw graphs. Auditory learners can even choose to listen to an entire lesson or passages within the lesson instead of reading it. Using this software is therefore much more engaging for the student than using the LIFEPAC worktexts alone and automatic updates ensure that the content is always current. Students will also enjoy switching up homepage themes, widgets and avatars as well as using tools like highlighting text. New for 2018, the format of Switched-On Schoolhouse is a USB flash drive. The CD-ROM based product is no longer available.

For the teacher, advantages include automatic grading and record-keeping, flexible (and customizable) lesson planning tools, reports, attendance tracking, and the ability to allow a student to repeat or skip lessons or problems as needed. You can even print hard copies of assignments, lessons, records and more. Up to five students within a family can use the program (at once or during different years); however, if you update your computer system down the road, you will want to make sure your SOS software remains compatible with your new computer system. [Please also note that if you have previous versions of SOS installed on your computer (prior to 2010), games from the earlier version may be overwritten by the games from the newer version.]

Each grade level is available as either the complete curriculum (all 5 modules: Bible, History & Geography, Language Arts, Math and Science) or individual modules. A wide array of elective courses is also available in this format.

Minimum system requirements: Windows 7/Windows 8/8.1./ Windows 10 1.4 GHz or higher processor (2 GHz recommended), 2 GB RAM (4 GB recommended), 3 GB hard drive space [10 GB recommended]), 1024 x 768 or higher resolution monitor, Adobe Reader, and printer (recommended). Please note that the software is NOT Mac-compatible and is no longer Windows XP-compatible.

Given its many advantages and reasonable cost, Switched-On Schoolhouse is well worth considering.

Items listed in this section tend to be complete science programs with a teacher and student component, requiring few supplements besides science supplies.

Alpha Omega Publications offers several lines of Bible-based curriculum in all major subject areas. Each one fits different family needs. LIFEPACs are sets of worktexts and teacher materials. Available for grades K through 12 in all major subject areas and some electives. All instruction and practice is provided in the consumable worktexts. LIFEPAC are a mastery-based curriculum, and is student-paced. Switched-On Schoolhouse (SOS) is a computer-based curriculum which presents the subject matter and adds multimedia presentations. SOS curriculum is available for grades 3 through 12 in all subject areas and now comes in a USB flash drive format (Windows compatibility only). This option works well for the independent learner. The third option from AOP is Horizons. Horizons is available for grades PK through 12, depending on the subject matter. Horizons curriculum is only available for early learning, math, phonics/reading, spelling/vocabulary, penmanship, health, and physical education. This is a teacher-led option. Monarch is Alpha Omega's online option. 50 courses are offered in the areas of Bible, math, history, science, and language arts and are completely online for those who might have a MAC or just want the convenience of online lessons. Each course is available for up to three students in grades 3-12. Compatible with Mac and PC. You can try it free for 30 days at www.discovermonarch.com using code MON30RRC.