(Check for Switched-On Schoolhouse software on eBay streamed to Best Homeschool Buys.)

Switched-On Schoolhouse Curriculum Review

Information and Review:

With 3-D animation, video clips, and other multimedia, Switched-On Schoolhouse for grades 3-12 is a well-suited homeschool curriculum for today’s generation. With this flexible, best-selling curriculum, parents can customize student learning to fit individual educational needs.

Homeschool Curriculum Software

Some families that are using Switched-on Schoolhouse share their experience with this homeschool curriculum:

Betsy P., a homeschooling mother, is using SOS for Language Arts and Bible for her two children. She describes the two major parts of the program- one for the parent and one for the student. She tells how easy it was to set up each of her students in the teacher section. Also, she set up the number of attempts she wanted to give her children to try to answer questions correctly (she started this at 3), the number of assignments she wants them to do each day, whether to take off for spelling, the grading scale she wants to use, the calendar year. These kinds of options allow her to fine tune the curriculum to her own family’s needs. Betsy also likes the way the curriculum allows the parent to review the children’s answers. The automatic grading and record-keeping makes keeping track of each student quick and easy.

Now when the kids click onto their section, a list of their assignments comes up. On this page they can tell which assignments they have finished and when others are due. Switched on Schoolhouse even assigns projects. Her children are enjoying this curriculum. They read a chapter and answer a series of questions on their own. Then they push the grade button and get instant feedback. “The kids go through all of the questions once and grade them. Then, we go back through the ones they missed together so I know what needs to be taught again. So far, it is wonderful! We will just have to see how the tests go.”

Switched-On Schoolhouse 2010 (see coupon at bottom of page) is a useful curriculum published by Alpha Omega Publications. It is a complete Bible-based curriculum CD-ROM homeschool curriculum where students do their schoolwork on the computer. The core subjects included in Switched-On Schoolhouse are Math, Language Arts, Science, History, Geography, and Bible. The SOS program guides the rate of a student’s progress, incorporates drill, and sets achievement levels for students. The program includes built-in review which is so important for long term retention. (We parents can all recall our school days, how easily we allowed ourselves to forget what we had studied so hard to remember for a test. The built-in review attempts to overcome this tendency.)

Unlike traditional textbook curricula with dry, one-dimensional lessons, Switched-On Schoolhouse (SOS) has a diverse, vibrant mix of entertaining lessons, assignments quizzes, and more! Fun-filled lessons are created to captivate students’ attention and engage them in learning. Available for grades 3-12, Switched-On Schoolhouse offers five core subjects and a wide variety of electives. With features that enhance content and functionality, this award-winning curriculum offers ease, accuracy, and quality academics.

Other features about this curriculum that parents like:

  • When you have one of the book pages open, you can right-click the mouse and choose to have the passages read to you. (especially good for a child with reading comprehension difficulty)
  • I can go into the program and reset assignments and quizzes
  • The program also keeps up with how much time they spend on each assignment
  • The lessons plans completed and ready to print really saves me a lot of time.
  • there are built-in projects and research papers the kids have to complete

Some dislike:

  • As with any curriculum, it takes time to get familiar with its workings.
  • Since SOS is a software based curriculum, a few users encounter problems that must be solved through tech support. I have read varying reports, some satisfied and some unsatisfied, with the availability and level of support through Alpha Omega.

This program is recommended for parents who want to home school their children but feel inadequate due to time restraints or lack of talent or resources. I also know parents who have used Switched-On Schoolhouse for only one or two subjects in order to have more time to actively teach other subjects to their children. It is a needed alternative for many families.

SOS on eBay:

If you are considering buying Switched on Schoolhouse used, be advised that your may not be able to register the newer versions like 2007 – 2010 if they have already been registered by the previous owner. I found some information about buying used Switched-on Schoolhouse at Homeschool Curriculum Savings‘s forum.

Switched on Schoolhouse 3rd Grade
Switched on Schoolhouse 4th Grade
Switched on Schoolhouse 5th Grade
Switched on Schoolhouse 6th Grade
Switched on Schoolhouse 7th Grade
Switched on Schoolhouse 8th Grade
Switched on Schoolhouse 9th Grade
Switched on Schoolhouse 10th Grade
Switched on Schoolhouse 11th Grade
Switched on Schoolhouse 12th Grade

Switched-On Schoolhouse may be what your family needs if you are committed to homeschooling, but have only a little time to devote to planning and teaching.Switched-On Schoolhouse is a computer based curriculum with minimal parent involvement needed.

{Note: We have not used Switched on Schoolhouse thus far. The information in this review is gathered from the publisher as well as from various reviews found on the web. Remember, just because a curriculum is perfect for one family, doesn’t mean that it is best for everyone. Please compare the features of a curriculum with your children’s learning style and needs. —Julie Simmons}

If you would like to read more reviews from people who have used this curriculum, go to Homeschool Reviews.

Or go to Alpha Omega for a discount on a new purchase with the banner below.


Related Homeschool Software Links:

Switched on Schoolhouse Sale Post

Homeschool Software Site

Computer Homeschool has a list of links relating to homeschool software

Computer Curriculum for teaching children to use computer tools such as:

  • produce a book advertisement using PowerPoint
  • write a report about endangered species using Word
  • analyze and graph survey results using Excel
  • organize data on a topic using Access
  • create a digital scrapbook using Photoshop
  • animate a story using Flash
  • do a Mac scan using MacKeeper

Each technology project, integrates into traditional subject areas such as language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, and visual arts.