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Standard Deviants Accelerate - TOS Review

Looking to spice up your science studies with an online program? Looking for a program to supplement what you are doing in Science or to serve as a review? Read on!

We recently received a one year subscription to Standard Deviants Accelerate (SDA) online program. We were given access to all their Homeschool Courses. These include:
  • 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* Biology – Grades 11+ AP Chemistry – Grades 11+ 
  • AP* U.S. Government & Politics – Grades 11+ 
  • AP* U.S. History – Grades 11+ AP 
  • Eng. Composition – Grades 11+ - 
*AP stands for Advance Placement

What is SDA exactly?

SDA is an online program that offers a new way of learning or reviewing a whole array of homeschool science and Math topics. The program consists of videos featuring engaging teachers/hosts making these topics very interesting. The videos contains the lessons, with full transcript available for print, and are taught in a way that brings the students in. The creators have managed to find a way to captivate the students to listen to what they are trying to teach. The lessons, while being rather involved in the topic that they cover, are taught with a funny element to it, keeping the student engaged.

  • The steps for one lesson are as follow:
  • Watch the video
  • Go over the vocabulary
  • Go over the diagram (optional)
  • Take the quizz

There is a section as well where students can think about a challenge question to help them stimulate their thinking on a particular concept.

The quizzes are graded right away to the student can get feedback right away and where mistake are made the part of the video relating to that question is featured. These quizzes are also graded so you can keep track of how well your child doing.

It is online and therefore requires an internet connection and a device. My boys were able to use it both on the computer and the Ipad.

This program is for Middle School and High School students (grade 6 and up), but some of them could be used by 3rd graders and up.

Also, this program is secular, so one needs to be aware that evolution is taught in the biology courses as well as the physical Science courses.

One more thing to note is that these courses are accelerated so they are fast-paced. They cover a lot of topics in a very short amount of time. In my opinion they are best used as reviews or for kids who thrive on being challenged or think big picture.

I had the two boys used this as their science almost 4 times a week. I had them go through the physical science course. They would listen to the listen and then take the test. They enjoyed lessons and found them funny at time. Some of the material in my opinion was a bit heavy for them (grade 5 and 7) but I think they are able to retain most of it.

The program itself is very easy to navigate. Setting up the accounts are a bit more challenging but once it is set up you are good to go. The parent's account allows you to see the progress of each student. I also like that everything is printable so you do not have to exclusively use a device.

This is great program for auditory and visual learners. It would be a beneficial add-on to any homeschool.


Standard Deviants Accelerate Review



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