1. How long does each unit last?
Each unit contains sufficient material to last the average family approximately 12 to 15 weeks. The average family completes three units per school year.
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2. Can the units be used out of order?
Although most of the units are arranged in historical chronological order, it is possible to use them in any order. We recommend that older students use them in chronological order to give them a sense of the order of events in history. The exception to the rule is The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, which can be used at any place in the series. Families with third graders as their oldest children may elect to begin this curriculum with the unit Little House on the Prairie. If you have any question concerning which unit to use first, please contact us either by phone or e-mail. We will gladly help you with your decision.
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3. Do we have to do each subject every day?
No. This would be extremely difficult, if not impossible. Plan on doing your basic subjects every day (reading, writing and arithmetic). The remaining subjects may be scheduled according to your time limits.
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4. What if we are taking too much time to finish the day's school work?
Perhaps you are trying to accomplish too much in one day. Take a close look at what you are attempting to do each day. See if you can spread it out over two days. If you continue to have difficulty, contact the HotLine (214-356-3659) for help. Leave your name and phone number and a consultant will return your call as soon as possible. Or, contact us through our e-mail address.
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5. What happens if we choose to skip an activity, but find questions referring to it on the unit evaluation?
We recommend that you look over the unit evaluation before selecting your activities so that you will be familiar with the objectives that will be tested. If you choose to eliminate an activity which is tested on the unit evaluation, simply eliminate that question from the test when you administer it.
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6. What do I do if my children hate to write?
Encourage them to write every day for a short period of time if possible. Allow them to choose the subject; something in which they are interested. Discuss their work in a positive manner, pointing out the strong points about their writing. It may take time but children respond to praise and practice. Another idea for building interest is for children to dictate their story either to a cassette recorder, or to an adult or older sibling, much like an executive dictates to his or her secretary. Sometimes this practice helps to get children over their fear of the writing process. Again, there can be no substitute for encouragement even for the smallest accomplishment!
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7. Do I need a copy of the Student Activity Book or novel for each child?
No. You have copy privileges for your family. You may make copies of any activities that you need. However, consider doing some of the activities orally or together on a chalkboard/white board. Place vocabulary calendars in easy-to-see places. Purchase plastic slip-cover pages and a wipe-off marker to make reusable worksheets. With a little imagination and creativity, this program can work very well without a lot of extra expense or effort on your part.
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8. How do I adapt this program for use with older children in my family?
Older children will probably need supplemental work in English and science. We have received reports from Classic users recommending Easy Grammar as a supplement to English and Good Science as a supplement to the science activities. Additionally, older children can be encouraged to write logic problems, etc. for younger children to solve. The bibliography contains hundreds of supplemental titles for older children, allowing this curriculum to stretch easily for use with older children.
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9. How do I adapt this program for use with younger children in my family? Younger students need a curriculum that teaches them how to read. We highly recommend that parents of younger students read Teach a Child to Read with Children's Books by Dr. Mark B. Thogmartin. Another source of good information can be found in A Home Start in Reading and A Strong Start in Language by Dr. Ruth Beechick. There are several good phonics programs available; however, it is possible to teach a child to read without purchasing a phonics program, as discussed in the books recommended above. Younger children can participate in many of the activities involving their older siblings. They can write and illustrate stories with the help of the older participants. They can participate in cooking activities and science experiments. They can also participate in solving logic activities with the family. Lastly, the bibliography contains hundreds of supplemental titles for younger children, even in pre-school.
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