By Jo
(Springtown, TX)
Visitor Review:
I am brand new to homeschooling this year (since July). I pulled my kids out of a wonderful, little private school because despite the great atmosphere, my Asperger/Dyslexic son was struggling in every aspect. I was going to go with another curriculum, and like many, had been scared off by some of the reviews of people who said it doesn’t foster thinking skills, etc, but his therapist told me to try this one. I wasn’t sure it would work for both kids because the other child accelerates in just about everything (they are both in the same grade, but child 2 is younger). To be fair I must say that I am using a different spelling and math program, but they are using ACE for Bible, Science, Social Studies, English and Literature. I have to say that I have seen tremendous improvement in both of my children’s ability to skim worksheets to find answers. This is a skill that neither of them really had before and this curriculum immediately showed that weakness. The Literature and Creative Writing is challenging but gently teaches them to express themselves. The English is repetitive but that is what both of my kids need. They love the science and have enjoyed the Social Studies. They are always sharing things they learn from both courses. I will say that I was leary at first to hand them a Bible curriculum that was written in King James version and it has proved a huge challenge BUT the flip side is that they are learning old English and will be entirely prepared for that time when they have to read Shakespeare and similar literary works. I LOVE that they are reading the Bible for what it is. We do Bible together in the morning. I read it in plain English and then they go back and do their work in the PACE. My son with Aspergers gets very frustrated very, very easily but I don’t hear too much complaining about his pace work. It’s challenging enough where he learns but not so bad that he feels defeated. My daughter works through them very quickly but I know that the repetition in each Pace helps it stick. I would like to try the Readmaster for them after they are done with their current reading program. Many of the Science and Social Studies paces have been updated and I hear they are in the process of updating the rest as far as pictures go. I like the life lessons they learn that are reinforced in each Pace.