Horizons Preschool is the same as Interlock

[SandraDumas]

I just learned that Horizons preschool is Interlock. THe TM is almost exactly the same. The resources packet is slightly different, with some additional items, and of course in full color and nicer cardstock.

The only difference is the inclusion of workbook pages. Interlock teaches all the same material, in the same way, with the same suggested resources, and timetable, but you use items on hand to teach the concepts, and reinforce with only the hands on activities, whereas in Horizons you have the option of reinforcing with the workbooks also.

I thought this was very interesting, and exciting. Interlock is basically a unit study program with tons and tons of hands on activities.

[one l michele]

I saw samples of Weaver Interlock at CBD. Comparing the sample of lesson, Weaver is 5 pages long and Horizons is 6 (and has more writing on each page). They are similar, but Horizon has a lot more to it IMO and seems more "modern". I didn't see any phonics or writing with Weaver's 1st lesson, where Horizon's Preschool has over a page devoted to these skills in lesson . Math was intertwined with learning about the triangle in Weaver's lesson, but had it's own activities in the Horizon's lessons which includes an introduction to the calendar. The Alphabet song is also in lesson 1 of Horizon. I haven't seen samples of the "resource packet" you mention. There is only a $10-15 difference in price. My ds really enjoys the "worksheets", they are quite colorful and you can really do a lot with them, it's not just simply a worksheet. He also loves the counting train resource and the flash cards are very cute. There is really a lot to this program.

[Rhondabee]

and we really liked it at the time. It was very hands-on - no workbooks at all. Everything came in a huge 3-ring binder.

But, there was no phonics or math. I think there was a bit of handwriting, but everything in the tm said my ds wasn't ready for it yet, so we didn't do that part.

The science part was great! - my ds is in 7th and still remembers quite a bit about what we did that year.

I have thought about doing Interlock w/my dd (who's still just 2yo). But, my ds was really struggling in 1st and 2nd because he didn't have the phonics or math. (And, frankly, I think he still struggles in some areas because he didn't get a firm foundation that year.) I would definitely want to add that in if we did it for Kind - along with some read-alouds - but sounds like Horizons might be the way to go.

[SandraDumas]

I posted it to make Horizons look good. If Horizons is based on a Unit Study program, but taken to the next level with worksheets, I think that's great. I don't know that it's for me and my dd, but it looks like a very complete program with lots of depth.

I've used some of Interlock so I know it's a very meaty and interesting preschool program, and no, phonics is not included in Interlock, which it is in Horizons.

(If someone really did not mind missing out on the worksheets and extra phonics, you could get Interlock a lot cheaper, though, because you can find it used all the time for 40.00.)

[Rhondabee]

As I said, I really liked what the Interlock had in it...it was just missing some things that I really regret not adding in.

I still have 2 years to debate what to do with my dd, but I'm glad to know that if I *want* to do something like Interlock, that the Horizons will give me that *plus* the phonics and math. It certainly sounds like a better choice for a mom who will have a middle-schooler and a (ack!) then high-schooler.

(Think I better go lie down. It never really hit me so hard that I will have a HIGH-SCHOOLER and a KINDERGARTENER at the same time until just now.:eek: ~ tho' I do think that just cured my "I really want to have another one" syndrome!)

Thanks, Sandra!

[Cathy in IL]

I found Interlock for a dime at a used bookstore!

[rousselab]

OK...so does Interlock have more hands on activities than Horizon Prek? Or are the hands on activities the same in both, but Horizon just adds the workbooks/phonics? I really don't want to miss the hands on activites, since my children really enjoy these......
Thanks,
Anita

[Pongo]

I just learned that Horizons preschool is Interlock. THe TM is almost exactly the same. The resources packet is slightly different, with some additional items, and of course in full color and nicer cardstock.

The only difference is the inclusion of workbook pages. Interlock teaches all the same material, in the same way, with the same suggested resources, and timetable, but you use items on hand to teach the concepts, and reinforce with only the hands on activities, whereas in Horizons you have the option of reinforcing with the workbooks also.

I thought this was very interesting, and exciting. Interlock is basically a unit study program with tons and tons of hands on activities.

Boy, that's a blast from the past. Interlock, I used this for ALL three of my kiddos in Pre-K. We loved it:)