Calvert Interactive, sometimes referred to as Calvert Homeschooling, is an online learning program for sixth through eighth graders in which students meet twice weekly on designated days and at particular times to engage in live 60-minute classes taught by Calvert teachers. Students interact through asking and answering questions, threaded discussions, group projects and online peer review.
Classes taught are math, grammar, composition, and reading.
As part of the program, students also enroll in Calvert's Advisory Teaching Service (ATS) which is an online testing service.
In addition to the live classes discussed above, students access pre-recorded online lectures in science, geography, and history. These can be accessed any time during the week at the student's pleasure and are intended to be supplements to or reinforcement of the teaching of parents. At the start of each year students are assigned an academic team which includes an online instructor and an advisory instructor.
This innovative program probably works very well for the intended age group which still requires disciplined instruction and guidance.
And yet, students have flexibility in the classes which are taught via pre-recorded lectures. I did not see any references to field trips or related activities and interested parents will want to look further for details on these subjects.
If Calvert does not offer these types of activities, then parents will want to secure them through a homeschooling association which can connect parents with other parents in their area who home school.
Some flexibility is allowed for parents who might want to take the basic courses and then use another curriculum for the pre-recorded lectures or add on some elective courses.
Of course, parents should be careful not to overload their young students and so maybe a music or art class would suffice, coupled with some form of recreation or physical education.
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