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For a child who likes video games...


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This son was raised with tv/vcr mounted in bedroom and had gamecubes and gameboys for his entertainment for many years. (this was prior to me becoming his mommy)

 

Now he rarely plays because I limit it. But, knowing that this is a hot buttom for him and planning on homeschooling him...

 

Are there any subjects/curriculum/programs that you think are worthwhile to use in teaching him? I have Bible, Language/Writing and History selected for him... I also have some basic math to get us through until next year.

 

Like I mention, I am just wondering if I can slip some video type game into the mix that isn't fluff... or something that gives him joy... I'm reeling him in pretty close and it's going to be quite an adjustment. Any software or something that you really find worthwhile??

 

Thanks,

 

Bee

 

PS Looks like I need something for "science" (he hasn't done much science at all in school so far this year!)

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How old is he, Bee? We use quite a few videos, DVDs, and computer games in our homeschool, so I may have some suggestions for you.

 

One suggestion (that would work with any age) is an exercise/sports type game for his gaming system -- something along the lines of Wii Sports or Playstation EyeToy games. Those games are a lot of fun, and also get kids off the couch and moving around. You could use them as a little "recess" break in between tough subjects. It will definitely make homeschooling a lot more fun for both of you -- good exercise, and great stress relief!

 

I give you a lot of credit for homeschooling your ds. It's a lot easier when you've had your kids since birth, and have helped to shape their values and beliefs. It's a lot harder when you're starting with an older child whose upbringing has been much different than you may have preferred. It's so hard to change old habits, and to get kids to respect you and obey you when you need to be stricter than they've experienced in the past. I hope your dh is on board with all of the changes, as his enthusiasm and encouragement will go a long way toward helping your ds enjoy homeschooling (and the rest of his new life!)

 

Cat

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You don't say how old he is, so I'm just throwing out some general ideas. My strategy has been to make screeen time as productive and creative as possible, and these are some of the games we've used over the years.

 

There are some simple computer programming curricula out there, such as Alice. http://www.alice.org/ We haven't used it, but I learned about it from someone here. My 13yo has used "Game Programming for Teens" which you can find at Amazon. It has a basic version of Basic.

 

My kids really enjoyed Age of Empire, Age of Mythology, Zoo Tycoon and Rollercoaster Tycoon. All of these are computer games that require thinking skills, lots of planning and are fun. For instance, in RollerCoaster tycoon, the laws of physics apply so your roller coaster won't work unless it is built correctly. They also loved Logical Journey of the Zoombinies -- it might seem insultingly young to someone who has played video games, not because it is easy but because of the graphics. It is nothing but logic games.

 

My 13yo has loved a free downloadable animation program called "Pivot". You draw and animate stick figures. It was easy to learn and he makes all kinds of silly little movies with it.

 

There was a great science program my kids loved in elementary school called Zap! from the Broderbund company. I just looked on their site and they don't have it anymore. It had electronics and simple machines, and light and sound games where you can test basic physics principles. Perhaps there is something like that by someone else on the market?

 

Has he built with lego? It is expensive, but the Mindstorm kit is an amazing intro into robotics, complete with programming. There even are lego leagues for robotic competitions.

 

Lego and k'nex both have kits that are great for simple physics. My kids really enjoyed the Klutz lego kit and built all kinds of contraptions, like a machine to kick those little paper footballs. My older one built a k'nex roller coaster. I think lots of hands on kits would be a smart way to go for science -- make it engaging rather than reading and writing.

 

I've also allowed extra tv time for science programs like NOVA or some Discovery channel shows -- we LOVE Mythbusters, for instance!

 

Hope that gives you some ideas.

Edited by JennW in SoCal
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Yeah, those VG's are a hard act to follow. :glare:

 

Ds is has a single minded interest in them, I used to let him play for 30m daily as a reward for getting his work done, but then he wouldn't turn them off when asked, so we went back to the 1hr on Saturday night and 2 hrs on Sunday. He can earn tickets that are good for 5 minutes each, for good behavior, so I leave that up to him.

 

Actually, I've done a lot of thinking about Video Games, and honestly, if you were an open minded, relaxed kind of mom, you could really create a whole course of study around them. I am not that mom. :001_smile:

 

First there is the obvious art and computer programming componants. Then you have history, many of the games now are history based-I know they are not history lessons, but you have to know about that time in order to create a realistic game. Same thing with Science and Science Fiction. Then there is language arts. A video game is basically a story. So there's creative writing, and descriptive writing. At some point you'll have to try and sell your game so there is a whole other avenue: persuasive writing, speech, business writing... Not to mention story archs, plot, character development, secondary characters... Throw in some logic and puzzles, and there you go.

 

There is an online video game programing class here http://www.ydacs.com/. I think it's very reasonably priced. I had a chance to chat with someone from that school at a conference recently, and he really kind of opened my eyes a little in the respect that they view video gaming as just another art media. Also, he agreed with me, and his general philosophy is that it's not the video games themselves that are "bad", it's the industry and Hollywood. I always tell my ds "if you would only use your powers for good..." So I guess if he wants to be a programmer/creator or whatever, I can at least try to teach him to create responsibly.

 

Sorry, if I am rambling. I've gotta rush out of the door, but I hope what I said makes a little sense.

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My son is turning 10. His dad is pretty much fully on board with my plans. My only challenge that way is that he obeys me beautifully when dad is gone. Dad shows up and son goes right back to disregarding me. Dad and I will work diligently on that the next few weeks as we make this adjustment.

 

Thanks for some ideas so far... keep 'em coming! I am really wanting to focus on "educational" as well as fun and keep it limited (no daily screen time... but, perhaps 3 times M-F if it pertains to subjects... and weekend play when he earns it).

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First, I'll second the suggestions for www.alice.org and Game Programming for Teens. We are also working through Game Maker's Apprentice and Game Programming for the Evil Genius. We also downloaded the free version of an effects program at http://fxhome.com/effectslab/pro.

 

For a fun introduction to languages, My French Coach and My Spanish Coach are available for Nintendo DS. There's also SAT coach and Word Coach. We have french and spanish and really enjoy them.

 

We tried a pre-algebra program called Math Evolver: Virus Origin from Amazon. My kids LOVED the game part. I haven't played it myself, so I don't know how "educational" it is. They're coming out with more modules for it.

 

My "computer" guy really enjoys anything on computer. We did Switched on Schoolhouse for LA this year. Both my ds and my dd would say that they enjoyed it. But my ds is also a perfectionist. Not being able to get his answer worded exactly correctly for the computer was incredibly frustrating for him. We won't be doing it again next year for that reason.

 

HTH

 

Jennifer

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Does he know keyboarding? There are lots of websites that help kids learn that. Ds liked DanceMat typing.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/typing/

 

If your math doesn't fly, Teaching Textbooks is done at the computer and our techie guy likes it much better than traditional math programs.

 

http://www.time4learning.com has various subjects to do online, but costs $20/month. Some others that have fees:

 

 

http://www.myschoolhouse.com

http://lphrc.org/

http://www.globalstudentnetwork.com/homeschool/

http://www.3dlearn.com/

http://www.pottersschool.com/

http://www.scholarsonline.org/

http://www.epicadventure-cb.com/home.php?varset=s:370-pm:p.

http://oakmeadow.com/curric/demo_oc.cfm?LessonNo=4&Sect=2&Table=LifeSci&grade=6

http://www.historyatourhouse.com/

Writing

http://www.home2teach.com/

 

Veritas Press Scholars' Online has a few elementary grade classes for next year - Bible, english and history. $50/course

http://resources.veritaspress.com/Scholars_Online/08classregister.asp#Grammar

 

 

Free:

http://www.freeworldu.org/index.html

http://www.sas.com/govedu/edu/curriculum/index.html

 

Free online math and reading

http://www.mindsprinting.com/msfree/(lvmoekfrkkw0owupmwhkii45)/tutoring.aspx

 

http://www.thehomeschoolmom.com/

 

http://depts.gallaudet.edu/englishworks/exercises/main/index.html

 

Free Greek and Latin

http://www.textkit.com/

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I personally love Roller Coaster Tycoon and Zoo Tycoon. They teach so much about multi-tasking, thinking skills, and in Zoo Tycoon, about habitats. My nine year old loves to play them (as do I), and my eldest would love to play as well if he had time.

 

My eldest loved Civilization, but he ended up destroying it because he was waking up at 4:00 am to play and knew this was not beneficial for him. He personally decided it was a stumbling block for him.

 

Chess is fabulous. Timez Attack is a good one too.

 

My younger boys love all of the Logical Journey of the Zoombini games.

 

Nathan loves Storybook Weaver -- you make your own stories with pictures and sounds on the computer. I am sure there's something better out there now -- this one's pretty old.

 

Ben loves Jump Start Spanish and Typing Instructor for Kids.

 

Usually, I will limit them to only educational video games for a few days and then let them goof off on the other games. Ben loves anything on www.miniclip.com. Those are his down-time games. Nathan prefers Zoo Tycoon or Storybook Weaver.

 

They've both been loving Mars Mission on the Lego website. (for fun)

 

For educational games, I'll usually send them to a website with age-appropriate math or language arts games (like grammar gorillas). Nathan also does Calvert's spelling on CD.

 

I have tons of educational sites bookmarked, so if you are interested in anything particular, please let me know.

 

As for educational video games that are on par with regular ones, you are hard-pressed outside of things like Zoo Tycoon and Timez Attack. That's why I find it better to limit the plain fun ones to the weekend or as a reward and have them get their screen time during the week on educational things.

 

Our eldest was very much into video games when I became his mom, so I know where you are coming from. He would still play Risk for hours (or probably Halo or such) if he didn't have support from us. He is very prone to wasting time on them and becoming obsessed, so it has taken a lot of talk about priorities and use of time when he was older to help him on his journey through manhood.

 

I think video games are a great way to have fun. I think music, movies, etc. are great in and of themselves. It's addictions and unbalances that we always look for around here.

 

I do love a good Zoo Tycoon game every few months. LOL

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I didnt get a chance to read all the replies but.. here are our educational ds games that our son likes to play(hes 10):

word fish - spelling

brain quest 5th/6th grade (also comes in 3rd/4th grade)

prof. laton and the curious village (lots of logic puzzles to solve)

 

ones we dont have but are looking into getting:

any of the For. Language Coaches

my word coach

math blaster

spelling challenges

personal trainer math

 

 

There are TONS of games on the ds that are great for ds play.. we limit game play to weekends UNLESS mom has said you can play your ds.. My son knows when i say that m-f it means he can only play his educational type games. :) works perfect on those days we are in the car for most of the day:)

 

christina

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I have a 9 year old that had lived his life in a similar way. However, we have cut and cut and cut and he is finally getting used to no cable TV, limited video games, limited sugar, healthy diet, etc. :) For school, we do his History on the computer. We do CHOW and there is a CD ROM that is just great. He loves it. He also does technology lessons on the computer, plays math games online, and does Spelling on CD. This makes up very little of his schooling, but does keep him interested and he really enjoys the interactive stuff.

 

I say, just start slowly and then eliminate more and more as you go. It will be tough, but the changes you are bringing to his life will be wonderful and will last a lifetime!

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