Wentz Educational Services: Online Homeschooling?

I get a lot of questions from people looking for a great online school. There is a huge variety of online resources - but they tend to break down into a few types. Picking the type will help you narrow down your search.

Ala Carte Resources vs School-at-Home

School-at-Home:
Are you looking for an accredited school that will offer you a full curriculum with a transcript and diploma at the end? Essentially, you are looking for a public school education done at home on the computer. Then please be aware these programs are usually quite expensive and often do little more than scan textbook pages into the computer and have your student read those pages and fill out tons of online worksheets.

Great for: students who are traditional learners,
self-motivated students,
when you need to prove to the courts that your student is in compliance (truancy or divorce cases may sometimes have these requirements in place).

Poor for: students who want to be able to pick and choose course materials,
students who learn best from videos and interactive resources,
students who learn differently (dyslexia, ADHD, etc.),
students who are not self-motivated.

A few popular options in this group:
A-Beka - K-12 - Christian
Alpha Omega - K-12 - Christian
American School of Correspondence - 9-12 - non-sectarian - not rigorous
Bob Jones - K-12 - EV Christian - some video content
Calvert - K-8 - non-sectarian
Connections Academy - K-12 - non-sectarian - available as an online public school in some areas
Progress Academy - K-12 - non-sectarian

Ala Carte Resources:
There is a HUGE variety of online ala carte coursework available today and it also can be broken down into a variety of categories:

Common Core Non-Common Core based

videos interactive traditional (textbook)

There are some who have huge databases full of free ala carte resources such as: http://www.onlypassionatecuriosity.com/free-homeschool-list/ Don't skip these!

Common Core -

A+Interactive Math - variety of resources but not a complete curriculum

Easy Peasy "All in One Homeschool" - FREE - minimally Christian - K-12 - not rigorous

Here to Help Learning - Video based writing lessons + worksheets for a small monthly fee - http://heretohelplearning.com/ (Yes, you are still doing the evaluating of their writing but are given rubrics to help the process)

HippoCampus - FREE - non-sectarian - videos - math and science

IXL.com - FREE - interactive with written instructions - math, language arts

Khan Academy - FREE - interactive with video instructions - math, science, language arts and more

MarcoPolo - FREE Standards based Internet content

Reading Eggs - FREE - non-sectarian - reading

Starfall - FREE - non-sectarian - beginning reading

Time4Learning - non-sectarian - K-12

WatchKnowLearn - FREE - thousands of well organized educational videos
watchknowlearn.org

Non- Common Core

Ambleside Online - Charlotte Mason based complete curriculum
http:amblesideonline.org

Brookdale House history videos - FREE collection of videos from a variety of sources: http://brookdalehouse.com/ancient-history-videos/

DanCarlin.com Some free, some for a cost - history podcasts called Hardcore History

Daily Grammar - FREE (archives online) - http:dailygrammar.com/archive.html

Discoveryk12 - FREE - non-sectarian - quite a traditional approach but you an pick and choose what to use and what not to use.
http://discoveryk12.com/dk12/curriculum/

Duolingo - FREE - quite a few languages available!

History at Our House - $220+ per year long class - non-sectarian - 4 levels and a rotating three year program - both live and pre-recorded classes available

Hoffman Academy - FREE - piano only http://hoffmanacademy.com

Learner.org - FREE - non-sectarian - videos with supporting materials - mostly older, but excellent!

Sciencenetlinks.com - an amazing resource from the American Association for the Advancement of Science offers a comprehensive guide to K-12 Internet based lessons, activities and activities. Be sure to check out their Weekly Science Update radio program!

U.S.History.org - FREE - non-sectarian - more than simply U.S.History - basic, yet colorful, information http:ushistory.org/textbooks.htm

Tutoring Services

I believe that every child has the ability to learn well if they are taught in a way that captures their imagination and provides a lot of positive feedback. To this end I bring a wide variety of games and manipulatives to the student in an effort to engage them more than simple, but boring, worksheets.

I specialize in math and science topics through high school and ACT / SAT test prep, but often help with other topics such as vocabulary, spelling and history. I also frequently work as a "I need my child to be accountable to someone other than me on a regular basis" homeschool helper / teacher.

I am available to tutor at a variety of times and locations throughout the year.

Educational Consultation Services

I offer two options for families seeking help:

1) I am available for FREE, but limited, one-on-one educational consultations via Zoom or at the Johnsburg Public Library's Homeschool Resource Center on most Tuesday evenings from 7 - 9 p.m. An appointment is required.

2) I am also available for full service one-on-one consultations including educational evaluations, testing services and high school transcript development on evenings (other than Tuesdays) and weekends for a fee.

During the free Tuesday evening consultations I

*help make sure you understand the law

*solve any concerns you may have about your unique situation,

*help you figure out which educational philosophy you lean toward and

*what learning styles you and your student have so that you can support how your student learns best and then

*match this information with the available curricula so you can hopefully avoid many of the pitfalls of 'trial and error' curriculum choices.

*My biggest goal is to help you develop and maintain a strong and respectful relationship with your student and don't fall into the traps of burning out or switching curricula constantly (and expensively!) trying to find 'the right one'.

If you need help beyond my abilities I will let you know up front and try to help you find someone who can.

Please contact Kathy at
kwentz899261@gmail.com
to make an appointment for either consultation option.

Workshops for Grown Ups

The Cure for the Math Curse

Math, the subject most of us freak out about the fastest. How can we ensure our children LOVE math and are good at it when we don't like it ourselves? Learn how to break the mold of math anxiety by breaking the bad teaching habits that create it, and learn new ways of approaching math to replace the old fear-inducing habits.

Homeschooling Sciences for the Faint of Heart
How is it possible to teach real sciences at home? Where do I find the best materials and resources? Which sciences does my high school student need to graduate? Here is a guide to help any parent maneuver through all the scientific gobbledy-gook to help their student learn what they need to know.

Why are we Homeschooling? Developing Your Own Educational Philosophy
Did you know the average homeschooling family changes styles and curriculum 7 times in the first 2 years? This can be very expensive, confusing, and frustrating! This workshop is designed to help you cut through the confusion and help you find the philosophy that will help you truly enjoy homeschooling as a lifestyle rather than as a challenge to be overcome.

Homeschooling for Cheapskates
Homeschooling doesn't need to be expensive. In fact, many of us find that homeschooling is virtually free! Join us for a discussion about how to homeschool by using materials and resources available for free on the Internet, at the library, or in your community. Be sure to bring your impossible dreams!

Embracing Your Inner Expert
In this age of experts for everything we still usually find it necessary to be our own expert. We not only think outside the box but in a way that seems out of step with most of society. Skip down "the road less traveled" with us and see how much better life can be when we can avoid re-creating the same traumas we were raised with and provide our children with a far richer life!

Library Resources for Homeschoolers
Learn about how one homeschooler spearheaded the creation of the first Homeschool Resource Center in a public library and learn how you and you library together can build similar resources with or without a lot of funding. This workshop is designed for both librarians and homeschoolers to take together.

Wentz Educational Services

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