"I love A2 curriculum! It has been a boon for our family. We are getting more home schooling done in a day than we ever have before. It has given us clear direction and guidance."

With our math problem generator you will never run short of worksheets again. You will never have to go out and buy another work book just because your old one ran out of the problems your child needs to work on. You will also never toss out unused worksheets either. Print just what you need, just when you need it!

Accelerated Achievement has over 60 standard, well organized, carefully sequenced worksheets. We start with basic addition, and subtraction. Carrying and borrowing are introduced next. Decimals, multiplication, and division are all included when your child is ready. Finally, we cover fractions, percents, negative numbers, converting fractions to decimals, fractions to percents, etc. This is the most comprehensive computer program of its kind on the market today.

Keep track of your progress by using the scope and sequence that comes with the curriculum.
 

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About teaching your own children

Teaching your own children can be an absolute pleasure, especially if you start when they are young.  It does take time.  Depending on how well organized you are, it can take a lot of time.  

Our children love to read.  We have some children who have to be told, "Stop doing your homework and go to bed." 

Our educational philosophy is simple: There are only three subjects, reading, writing and arithmetic.  Everything else can be covered in the reading materials.

With this philosophy and children who love to read, the parent really only needs to be available to monitor their progress, answer questions, and provide guidance.  We make a point of teaching several mini classes on any number of subjects.

Home schooling is easy if you keep it fun and flexible.  Don't try to duplicate a classroom environment in your home.  Your children won't like it, and your efforts will not be as effective.

 

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What about teaching several children in different grades?

This is much easier than you would think.  Many subjects can be spanned across several grades. Some individual attention is required for each child.  A few minutes of one on one instruction has been shown to eliminate hours of classroom instruction.  Our math work sheet generator is a marvelous tool that make it a snap to create individualized worksheets, with answers.  This whole curriculum is designed to make home schooling easy.

 

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What kind of support does Accelerated Achievement offer?
 

 

Online Support Group

 

The support system is great. You are not alone when you choose the Accelerated Achievement educational program.

 

A2 operates one of the largest Yahoo! homeschool support groups, keyed specifically to our program, with experienced users and moderators ready and willing to help you get started and keep you going. 

 

Our online support includes extensive files and useful supplementary materials.

 

Personalized Technical Support

 

Our technical support is second to none, with fast, personalized service.

 

Technical support for the program is available by phone and email,  as is assistance with homeschooling and educational issues in general.  At Accelerated Achievement, we enjoy talking with our curriculum users.  We also know that your success is our success.

 

Community-based Cooperative Learning Groups

 

A2 is also a community of homeschooling families.  

Through our online support group and the increasing number of community-based cooperative learning groups using A2, you will be part of a vital, growing movement of homeschool families who are seeking out the classics and the traditional methods and values of education that made our country great.
 

 

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Is A² homeschool curriculum all on CD or are there any books? 

Our curriculum consists of a single CD.  No other materials are provided.  While we supply a CD with 800 books on it, we do not recommend that children be parked in front of a computer to use the program.  It is intended that the materials will be printed out so you and your children can enjoy actual books.  Many tips and proven strategies for doing this are given in our online  homeschool support group.
 

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Does your curriculum include any tests?

Not at this time.  We hope to add them in the future.  Tests have two purposes.  First, for grading, and grades are used by teacher to communicate a child's performance to their parents.  This type of test is not necessary when the parent is the teacher.  Secondly, tests are used as a diagnostic tool. 

It is strongly recommended that parents have their children tested annually.  Be sure the test is a norm referenced standardized test.  Any other kind will not yield valid results.  Remember, the purpose of the test is to inform you, the parent, how your child is doing.  

Each of the arithmetic worksheets can be used as a test.  We recommend that you spend a few minutes with your child, looking at the different kinds of problems, to find the proper starting point for your child.

 

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Does your curriculum include daily lessons?

 Yes!  Most of the text books that we use are divided into
daily lessons.

Reading:  We begin teaching the very young to read with solid phonics activities.  Once a child can read simple three letter words, with short vowels only, we move them on to the McGuffey's readers.  These readers are divided into daily lessons.  Each lesson through the mid point of the third reader has new words at the beginning of each lesson.  We use these for spelling words.  The McGuffey's readers cover through the sixth grade, and include some Shakespeare.  As their skills develop, we suggest that children to read at least one book every two weeks, then a book each week. 

Writing:  The books we use for writing, Lessons in Grammar, Higher Lessons in Grammar, Word Lessons, and Word Building, are also divided into daily lessons.  We suggest children write one essay each week (full page) while in grades K-6.  For very young children, we have them copy words from any printed source the child selects, just to teach them how to form the letters, etc.  We also have them write a  report on each book that they read. The grammar activity we created is very popular -- the kids don't want to stop using it.

Arithmetic: The A2 math program creates excellent worksheets.  There are over 60 standard worksheets, and they can be customized.  This program uses random numbers so no two worksheets will ever be the same.  We print one worksheet each day.  We move them on up to the next worksheet when they have mastered (100% for 3 to 5 consecutive days) the current worksheet .  It is important to review different types of problems to keep their skills sharp. 

History:  There are no specified daily lessons for history, just excellent books.  This is true of other subjects as well.  We recommend reading one chapter or partial chapter each day in an organized fashion.  This amounts to a daily lesson.

 

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How do I know where to start my child?

It only takes a few minutes to find where your child should start with our curriculum.  The new web interface divides the curriculum into grades.  Grade levels differ radically from state to state, so this should only be considered a rough starting point.

General Strategy 

To find a starting point for your child, use strategy and the process of elimination.  If you have a 4th grader, test them with our 4th grade materials  (have them read aloud from the McGuffey's reader, for example) .  If that level is too easy, jump them ahead a full grade.  If this is too difficult, drop back to the middle of 3rd grade.  Keep doing this until you find material that is not too easy or too hard.  Repeat with each subject.

Reading:  We recommend a review of phonics for all children.  Phonics is not typically taught in public school, hence, most children need to go through the rules at least once. (This could be as simple as reading the rules on the screen).  Phonics is a key to developing spelling skills.  There are seven McGuffey's readers.  The first is a primer, the others are numbered.  The 4th reader is approximately at the 4th grade level.  Spend a few minutes reading from the readers, in various locations.  The stories are wonderful, and it will not hurt to start slightly below your child's reading level.  

Writing:  Most public schools do not teach grammar, and some don't even teach spelling.  We recommend doing one lesson each day from the grammar books, beginning with Lessons in Grammar, for all students.  (Follow the Language Arts Flow Chart to place your child at the appropriate level).  Glean spelling words from your child's writing.  This prevents you from wasting time working with words your child already knows how to spell, and concentrates on strengthening areas of weakness.

Arithmetic:  We recommend that you spend a few minutes with your child, looking at the different kinds of problems, to find the proper starting point for your child.  The preview window makes this very easy to do.

History:  Most public schools teach very little history, and what they teach is usually revisionist in nature.  We recommend that everyone start at the very beginning with history.  For example, no matter what your age, you too can find out how much the colonists were affected by the Stamp Act, by reading American History Stories Vol. II, a 3rd grade book published in 1882.

 

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Why is the price so low?  

Most companies would sell this product for $300 or more.  We could probably sell even more if we increased the price (the "Cadillac Effect").  A higher price gives the impression that the product is more valuable.  It inspires confidence.  If you would prefer to pay $300 for this product, please e-mail us, and we will send you a special html file that will allow you to do so.

The morals of the market place are almost gone.  Almost nobody asks what a fair profit is -- it is always, "What will the market bear?"

We have chosen to keep the price low, only $99 for curriculum for the whole family, in order to make our product accessible to as many families and students as possible.

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How well do I have to know a subject to teach it?

It is, of course, very desirable to be an expert in the field before teaching; however, most public school teachers teach classes outside of their field.  Many high school math and science teachers do not have a degree in either subject. 

Teachers just need to stay one step ahead of the student.  There is nothing wrong with telling your child that you are learning right along with them.  This will make them feel very smart, and build their confidence.

 

Homeschooled children typically test between the 80th and 90th percentiles, regardless of the parents' level of education.  When your child can see the importance that you place on education, they are usually anxious to follow suit.  Many homeschooling parents regard teaching as an opportunity to strengthen weaknesses that they perceive in their own educations.  And remember, the teacher always learns more than the student.
 

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 What is the best way to teach a child to read?

Children love stories.  Start by reading to them at an early age.  Get two copies of the book so you can both read along.  Use books for entertainment, rather than TV or other forms of passive entertainment.  Phonics is critical in teaching a child to read.  Accelerated Achievement offers an excellent phonics product as part of our curriculum.  

Children also need to learn spelling, the parts of speech, sentence structure, paragraph structure, and how to write short and long papers.

A2 curriculum includes an excellent set of language arts text books covering spelling, basic and advanced grammar, English composition, literature and rhetoric.  We also created a unique grammar game that teaches the parts of speech in a fun and unforgettable manner. 

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How do I teach my children character development?

The three keys to teaching character are example, example and example.  Your actions will speak volumes.  It will have a profound effect on your children when they see you go to great lengths to make things right with others.  Just returning to a store to make things right when they undercharged you will have a powerful effect.

Another method is the use of copywork.  We offer a large collection of quotes and Bible verses that can be printed on ready to use copy forms. 

 

In days gone by, children learned to write by copying passages from the Bible and other great books. This did far more than teach them to write, they learned values, memorized passages and became familiar with higher English.  Our curriculum has over 1400 ready to print copywork forms.


 

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McGuffey's Readers

• Based on solid phonics

• Seven volumes cover K-6

• Proven for generations

• Writing exercises

• Integrated phonics instruction

• Teach character and a love of God

• Hundreds of pages of excellent instruction

• Includes excerpts from Shakespeare

Our reading curriculum also includes the popular one syllable books!

 

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Copy Work

 

Our great grandparents learned to write by copying verses out of the Bible.  This not only taught them to form the letters but had many other benefits. They learned morality as well.

 

At Accelerated Achievement, we have built upon this concept.  Accelerated Achievement includes hundreds of quotes from the Bible, Aristotle, Socrates, Benjamin Franklin and many other of the giants of the ages.  These quotes are ready to print out with just a click of your mouse.  As your child copies these Bible verses and quotes, they will:

• Memorize and internalize the lessons and wisdom of the ages

• Learn the use of language from the masters

• Build a large vocabulary

• Build their lives upon true principles as taught in the scriptures

 

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Grammar

• Popular grammar game that teaches the eight parts of speech

• Includes hundreds of cards

• Teaches sentence structure

• Provide hours of entertaining instruction

Graded Lessons in English includes over 100 lessons covering:

• Grammar

• Sentence structure

• Paragraph structure

• Letter writing

Higher Lessons in English has 168 lessons and over 360 pages.

• Thorough examination of grammar

• Complex sentence structure

• Prepares your student to write a college level theme paper

These two books by Alonzo Reed and Brainerd Kellogg were staples of the American school room for generations.

 

A best selling author shares his secrets to successful writing in The Art of Writing, by Robert Louis Stevenson. 
 

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Spelling

Our curriculum uses new spelling words in McGuffey's readers.

• Reinforces the reading lessons

• Builds on and reinforces phonics

Includes word lessons by Alonzo Reed:

• Contains 286 spelling lists, enough for almost 8 years of school (one a week for 36 weeks a year)

• Words are grouped together with similar spellings

• Homonyms are grouped together so the student can learn the difference (i.e., sight, site, and cite)

Our spelling diagram chart is included! 

• Helps the child dissect each word so they can see the phonics behind the spelling.

 

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Vocabulary

Word Building By Alonzo Reed and Brainerd Kellogg

• Divided into dozens of daily lessons

• Root words

• Word stems

• Prefixes and suffixes

• Covers Greek, Latin and Anglo-Saxon origins

• Spelling rules for adding prefixes and suffixes

• Covers over 5000 words, and provides the key to understanding thousands more

 

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History 

• More than 60 history books

• Chronicles of America Series (30 volumes), published by Yale University

• Ten time-proven children's history books

• Four books covering world history

• Fifteen of America's most important founding documents

• Accurate, not revisionist history

• Teaches respect for the founding fathers and their sacrifices

 

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Economics

Seven classical works on Economics are included:

• Economic Sophisms, by Fredrick Bastiat

• Wealth of Nations, by Adam Smith

• Fiat Money Inflation in France, by Andrew Dickson White

Understanding Economics is critical!  The American dream has been realized because the founding fathers built our political economy upon sound principles, the principles espoused in Adam Smith's immortal work, "The Wealth of Nations."  All five volumes are included.

 

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Mythology 

Mythology permeates our literature.  How will the reader know what it means to open a Pandora's box, unless they have read the story of Pandora and her box?  References and allusions to mythology are everywhere present in English and American Literature.  Shakespeare and other literary giants contain generous helpings of mythology within their works.  Our classical mythology text covers Greek, Eastern, Egyptian, and Northern Mythology.

 

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Literature

• American literature library

• English literature library

• English and American literature texts by Brainerd Kellogg

• Philosophy library

• Juvenile books that teach character

• 800 titles - searchable text!

 

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Rhetoric

Rhetoric is the crowning touch in the use of language.  The trivium covers Grammar, Logic and finally Rhetoric.  First we learn the facts (grammar), next we gain an understanding of those facts  (logic).  With Rhetoric, the student learns to powerfully express their thoughts and ideas.  The art of persuasion is lifted to new heights as the student masters this subject.  

Accelerated Achievement uses Kellogg's Rhetoric, an excellent text covering the subject, written for high schools and academies in the late 1800's.  

 

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  A Comparison between Accelerated Achievement
and another well-known curriculum

Subject A2 Other Phonics     Flash Cards R Yes R Yes Phonics Rules Charts R Yes £ No Phonics Activities R Yes £ No Sentence Building Cards R Yes £ No Reading     McGuffey’s Readers R Yes R Yes One Syllable Books R Yes R Yes Children’s Books R Yes R Yes Grammar     Sentence Building Cards R Yes £ No English Lessons R Yes £ No Higher Lessons in English R Yes £ No Rhetoric R Yes £ No Spelling     Uses New Words in Readers R Yes £ No Word Lessons R Yes £ No Spelling Diagram R Yes £ No Arithmetic Customizable Work Sheet Program Flash Cards Only Encyclopedia £ No Available Free On Line R Yes Dictionary £ No Available Free On Line R Yes Vocabulary     Word Building R Yes £ No Flash Cards £ No R Yes History     One Syllable Books R Yes R Yes American History Stories R Yes £ No Chronicles of America R Yes £ No Various Biographies R Yes R Yes Literature     Total Works 800 250 Philosophy R Yes £ No American Literature Library R Yes £ No English Literature Library