Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Schoolhouse Review: Standard Deviants Accelerate #hsreviews

Standard Deviants Accelerate Review
We were first introduced to the Standard Deviants family several years ago when my older daughters were in High School.  They used the Standard Deviants American Government DVDs for a modern approach to learning that was pure fun and they enjoyed it immensely.  It was the perfect way to learn and remember everything there is to know about how the American government actually works.  The were songs and dances and little bits of information that popped up on the screen to make sure that students really got it -- and they did.  Since their experience was so good, I was thrilled to be able to review the Standard Deviants Accelerate (SDA) program and use the Standard Deviants Accelerate Homeschool Courses for the Eagle Scout and the Princess.

Standard Deviants Accelerate Homeschool Courses have something for all students ages 8 through adult (I'm enjoying learning new things alongside my children).  From basic Arithmetic to Advanced Placement Chemistry, there truly is a class to meet the learning needs/desires of most everyone.  SDA Homeschool Courses are refreshing because they are fun.  (And those songs, dances, and informational pop-ups my big girls enjoyed?  They are still there.)  Done entirely online, each student does need to have an email address of their own to be enrolled in a class.  But don't let this bother you  -- you link each student account to your parent account so you know exactly what is going on at all times.  Remember, YOU are the teacher and YOU are in charge.  You can even print a Progress Report of grades and completed assignments for your child's portfolio if you'd like.  

Standard Deviants Accelerate ReviewSetting up the Teacher Account is simple and once completed you easily invite your children to begin.  After you have set up the courses, you oversee more than anything else.  For us, it's a matter of setting aside time to work on SDA.  After we complete our grammar lesson each day, I have the kids each get their laptop out and choose which subject they would like to work on.  (They can also use an iPad if they'd rather.)  We devote about half an hour to completing lessons.  I make sure they sit down and begin but they complete their work entirely on their own.  Isn't that grand?

With so very much to choose from (there are 14 different courses including English, Math, Science, and History),  you'll easily find something that best suits the needs of each of your students.  We've started with the sciences and have had great fun in Biology, Earth Science, and Nutrition. (The Eagle Scout is currently working with Biology, the Princess is working in Earth Science, and they are both working at their own pace through the Nutrition course.  There are evolution mentions in some of the science coursework and we welcome the opportunity to discuss all scientific opinions.  I'm not scared.  My kids are solid in their faith.)

What I find most impressive about SDA Homeschool Courses is that a variety of learning styles are incorporated into each lesson. Students watch a fast-paced, action-filled, entertaining video for each lesson and can choose to read along with the full transcript of the video lesson while they watch or read it later if they would like. They can take notes via computer keyboard in a provided space and can also print a copy of the complete transcript if they would like to include it in their notebooks for later review. This three-fold approach affords students the opportunity to hear, read, and do in each lesson.  Each lesson also includes a vocabulary section that lists essential terms to know.  Students can hear the word (so they know the correct pronunciation) and have the definition read aloud to them.

Diagrams are included for hands-on activity that make sure students are understanding what they are being taught in the videos (these are drag and drop word banks).  There are multiple choice quizzes that follow each lesson, as well as short answer questions used to test comprehension.  What I really like is that the quizzes are graded immediately so that students have instantaneous feedback.  The written questions are graded by me as they are submitted provided I sit down to grade and I can even watch the videos, work the diagrams, and take the quizzes from my Teacher Account.
Standard Deviants Accelerate Review

We have had a great experience with the science coursework so far and I will be adding additional courses for each of my children.  The Princess will soon be starting Fundamental Mathematics and we are adding English Composition and US History to the rotation for both her and the Eagle Scout next month.  I guess you could reasonably assume I like this one.  A lot.   :)

Here is a listing of all the  SDA Homeschool Courses  currently available and which grades might find them most interesting/beneficial:


Arithmetic - Grades 3+
Fundamental Math - Grades 4+
Earth Science - Grades 6+
Nutrition - Grades 6+
Algebra - Grades 7+
Biology - Grades 7+
Chemistry - Grades 9+
English Comp. - Grades 9+
U.S. History - Grades 9+
AP Biolody - Grades 11+
AP Chemistry - Grades 11+
AP U.S. Government & Politics - Grades 11+
AP U.S. History - Grades 11+
AP Eng. Composition - Grades 11+



Pricing for these courses is as follows:
$24.95 per month per student OR $99 per year per student for regular courses (non AP)
$14.95 per month per student for AP courses

But if you act NOW, you can register for full access to ALL courses for FREE during the Six Months Free Promo.  Make sure you sign up before November 15.   Isn't that an amazing offer?

You can find out more about Standard Deviants Accelerate on the following Social Media platforms:

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest

Google+

Because we all know there's nothing standard about homeschoolers . . .


Crew Disclaimer

I was given the opportunity to review the Standard Deviants Accelerate Homeschool Courses as a member of the Schoolhouse ReviewCrew.   You can check out the Crew Review and see what other members of the Schoolhouse ReviewCrew thought of this and other products as well (or just click on the banner below.)

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