Does anyone use Alpha Omega? I'm new, but thought about starting my daughter on their new preschool line. I'm already starting to look into kindergarten curriculum, any suggestions? I'm overwhelmed. Right now, I'm thinking AOP or A Beka. I'd love to hear what everyone else is using for their youngsters.
Thanks, Amanda

I have used Alpha Omega in one way or another for about 8 years. I think that I like it best for language arts. It seems very comprehensive and my children have an exellent grasp on reading, spelling, comprehension, etc. in comparison with some of the children that I have tutored in the public school as a volunteer. I feel like they not dealing with any gaps in their education in that area.

On their other subjects, especially history (starting with 4th grade) I was rather disappointed. My 4th grader was thrown into some obscure European history that as an adult, I wouldn't have had a grasp on. There was no foundation or frame of reference to build upon. There was too big of a leap from "who am I?" and "what is my place in the community?" to names of countries and leaders that they had never heard of and couldn't understand how they applied to the history of our nation.

Aside from the history experience, I have found that Aplpha Omega can bog the student and the teacher with tons of "busy work". It can be nice to have the extra materials available if they are needed, but I tend to get caught up in the trap that every page has to be done; every T crossed...

I also did not like their Bible curriculum. I only used it for the lower grades, but they use the King James version and although I have nothing against that version, my children just to not get out of it what they could get if it used an easier translation, or allowed them to use their own version. Just something to think about if you are considering purchasing this one.

So, as far as Alpha Omega, I really am a fan of their language arts. My kids are going into 5th and 7th grades, so I have not used their materials for high school, but they have used their language arts from the very beginning.

For the rest of the core subjects, I have found much for success in mixing and matching materials based on what works for us. I'm not sure that there is any one company that I would use for all subjects.

Last year, we used Alpha Omega language arts, Saxon math, Bob Jones history and science and it worked really well for us.

This year, I am looking at starting a literature based history curriculum called Truth Quest. I am still trying to get some feedback to see if anyone else out there has tried it. I'm quite curious about it.

Hope that helps a little,
Lisa


www.lisapage88.spaces.live.com

Lisa, thank you for the reply!! Good to know they have a strong Language Arts department. I'll keep searching for other history and math alternatives.
God bless! ~ Amanda

My kids are older, 6th & 9th grade. I am using Alpha Omega LifePacs for Bible, Language Arts & History for both of them. For my 6th grade dd, I am also using their Science. For my 9th grade ds, I am also using their computer literacy PowerPoint LifePac. I am using Math-U-See for my dd. I am using Ask Dr. Callahan Geometry and Apologia Biology for my ds. Last year we used Rod & Staff English/Spelling and Saxon math ~ did not work well for us at all. We are excited about this year and so far the new curriculum is working out well. I did not homeschool my kids when they were younger, do I am sorry that I don't have any suggestions for the young child other then do your research, know your child's learning style and order samples to look at. I got into Rod & Staff and Saxon on the recommendation of a friend because it worked well for her kids, but not for mine.

Hope this helped a little.