GRAY, TN, May 20, 2009
/24-7PressRelease/ -- Each year, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, LLC (TOS) hosts the prestigious Excellence in Education Awards, a popular venue for TOS readers who are looking for the right products and finest homeschool-friendly companies for their unique homeschool environments—which is no easy task!
Spring marks the entrance of an amazing buzz of excitement as thousands of homeschoolers empty the cookie jar, rev up their motors, and head to their nearest homeschool convention. Awaiting them is an oasis of resources offered by veteran homeschoolers and a vendor hall curriculum smorgasbord too amazing to even try to describe—and the daunting task of making the best curriculum choices!
In an effort to provide encouragement and excellent resources and address the challenges of its subscribers, in their spring 2009 issue The Old Schoolhouse Magazine announced the winners of the TOS 2008 Excellence in Education Awards. "Ultimately, we hope to provide a starting point, if you will, to begin thinking about what products are out there, what subject matter areas might be considered, and what products other homeschoolers and experts from the homeschool community believe are the best. It's a perfect starting ground, helping parents make informed decisions," says Dr. Heather W. Allen, TOS Senior Analytical Consultant.
The awards are organized into five main areas and subdivided into twenty-three different categories (including friendliest), plus the Best Overall Homeschool Company (awarded to Sonlight). TOS invited homeschoolers worldwide to submit the names of their favorite companies or curricula, and 2,333 readers responded. Worldwide' to submit the names of their favorite companies or curricula. This group of parents represented a wide range of numbers of children homeschooled, levels of education, and levels of teaching experience. Since the survey asked respondents to write in their choices rather than choose from a designated (and thus limited) list, the results were not confined by the crafters of the survey.
The award-winning products and companies reflect the parents' desire for resources that will appeal to their kids' learning styles, help their children to develop strong character, and assist them in providing an excellent education. And here they are:
TOS 2008 Excellence in Education Awards
Foundational Products
• Character Building
1st - Doorposts http://www.doorposts.com
2nd - Sonlight http://www.sonlight.com
3rd - A Beka Book http://www.abeka.com
• Bible Curriculum
1st - A Beka Book http://www.abeka.com
2nd - Sonlight http://www.sonlight.com
3rd - BJU Press http://www.bjupress.com
• Creation Science Curriculum
1st - Apologia http://www.apologia.com
Core Curriculum Products
• History
1st - Sonlight http://www.sonlight.com
2nd - Tapestry of Grace http://www.tapestryofgrace.com
3rd - The Mystery of History http://www.themysteryofhistory.com
• Geography
1st - Knowledge Quest http://www.knowledgequest.com
2nd - Geography Matters http://www.geomatters.com
3rd - Sonlight http://www.sonlight.com
• Phonics
1st - A Beka Book http://www.abeka.com
2nd - Explode the Code http://www.explodethecode.com
3rd - Hooked on Phonics http://www.hookedonphonics.com
• Science
1st - Apologia http://www.apologia.com
2nd - Home Science Tools http://www.homesciencetools.com
3rd - Sonlight http://www.sonlight.com
• Math
1st - Math-U-See http://www.mathusee.com
2nd - Saxon Math saxonpublishers.harcourtachieve.com
3rd - Teaching Textbooks http://www.teachingtextbooks.com
• Literature
1st - Sonlight http://www.sonlight.com
2nd - Tapestry of Grace http://www.tapestryofgrace.com
3rd - A Beka Book http://www.abeka.com
• Writing (Composition)
1st - Institute for Excellence in Writing http://www.excellenceinwriting.com
2nd - Writing Strands http://www.writingstrands.com
3rd - Tapestry of Grace http://www.tapestryofgrace.com
• Handwriting
1st - Handwriting Without Tears http://www.hwtears.com
2nd - A Reason For Handwriting http://www.areasonfor.com
3rd - A Beka Book http://www.abeka.com
• Computer-Based (Complete) Curriculum
1st - Alpha Omega/Switched-On Schoolhouse http://www.aop.com
Enrichment Products
• Art
1st - How Great Thou ART http://www.howgreatthouart.com
2nd - ARTistic Pursuits http://www.artisticpursuits.com
3rd - Draw Write Now http://www.barkercreek.com
• Foreign Language
1st - Rosetta Stone http://www.rosettastone.com
• Music
1st - Alfred Publishing http://www.alfred.com
2nd - Simply Music http://www.simplymusic.com
3rd - Music Ace http://www.harmonicvision.com
General Products
• Friendliest
1st - Sonlight http://www.sonlight.com
2nd - Rainbow Resource Center http://www.rainbowresource.com
3rd - My Father's World http://www.mfwbooks.com
3rd - Tapestry of Grace http://www.tapestryofgrace.com
• Most Unique
1st - Sonlight http://www.sonlight.com
2nd - Timberdoodle http://www.timberdoodle.com
3rd - Tapestry of Grace http://www.tapestryofgrace.com
• Best Software Product
1st - Alpha Omega/Switched-On Schoolhouse http://www.aop.com
2nd - Teaching Textbooks http://www.teachingtextbooks.com
3rd - Homeschool Tracker http://www.homeschooltracker.com
• Best Resource Book
1st - Rainbow Resource Center http://www.rainbowresource.com
2nd - Sonlight http://www.sonlight.com
3rd - Usborne Publishing http://www.usborne.com
Specialty Products
• Best Unit Study
1st - In the Hands of a Child http://www.handsofachild.com
2nd - KONOS http://www.konos.com
3rd - Tapestry of Grace http://www.tapestryofgrace.com
• Best Classical Resource
1st - Veritas Press http://www.veritaspress.com
2nd - Tapestry of Grace http://www.tapestryofgrace.com
3rd - Peace Hill Press http://www.peacehillpress.com
• Best Special Needs Resource
1st - Timberdoodle http://www.timberdoodle.com
2nd - AVKO Educational Research Foundation http://www.avko.org
3rd - Joyce Herzog http://www.joyceherzog.info
• Best Overall Homeschool Company
1st - Sonlight http://www.sonlight.com
2nd - Rainbow Resource Center http://www.rainbowresource.com
3rd - Tapestry of Grace http://www.tapestryofgrace.com
With this incredible lineup of homeschool products covering almost every area of study, parents are finding the hunt for enriching homeschool resources easier and more enjoyable. The recipients of the TOS 2008 Excellence in Education Awards should provide parents with an excellent starting point from which to move forward, and it's doubtful they'll be disappointed with any of these fine companies or their products.
About The Old Schoolhouse Magazine
The Old Schoolhouse Magazine is the leading Christian homeschool publication and a trusted source of information worldwide. This 200-page quarterly magazine is packed with up-to-date news, useful information, and inspiring content for homeschooling families. Our mission is to produce a high-quality, Biblically based magazine that stands alone as a practical resource and introduces relevant products and services to the home educator. It is our goal to strengthen and support families spiritually and academically and challenge them to impact their world for Christ.
The Old Schoolhouse Magazine
P.O. Box 8426
Gray, TN 37615
1-888-718-HOME (4663)
http://www.TheHomeschoolMagazine.com
To request further information or a free copy of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, contact Michelle Eichhorn at meichhorn@thehomeschoolmagazine.com. Please include your name, publication/website, and mailing address with your request.
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