WHAT IS “STEP 3-4”?
STEP 3 is studies for ages 9-10, who read well.  STEP 4 is studies for ages 11-adult.  Courses that are listed as “3-4” can be used by either group.

DOES MY STUDENT NEED TO DO STEP 1, 2 OR 3 TO GET A STEPS EDUCATION?
No.  Each Step covers the entirety of each subject offered, but as the student goes up through the Steps, the materials become more detailed, and challenging.  Students start at the Step right for their age and literacy.  They do not need to go back to an earlier level unless they find themselves truly struggling, and for a significant amount of time.

IS STEPS FOR HOMESCHOOLING?  OR THE CLASSROOM?
Step 4 is independent study for homeschoolers, but it has been used with success in the classroom.

ARE STEPS COURSES BOOKS?  HOW DO I GET THEM?
STEPS courses come as PDFs, online downloads.  When you purchase courses on our site, they are immediately sent to the email address you give us.

HOW DO STEP 3-4 P.E. ELECTIVES COURSES WORK?
Like all STEPS studies, Step 3-4 courses are broken into daily lesson plans.  Each lesson plan is made up of small things to be done, in sequence.  The student does each step in the lesson plan, in order.  Sometimes, the course shows students art work, video, or photography – all found in sequence, in the lesson plan.  And in every lesson plan, the student uses what has been taught and does things, there are always activities. 

One of the areas homeschoolers and self-educators sometimes complain they “fail” at is Physical Education.  Most people solve this issue by enrolling their students in local activities, which is the right way to go!  Little League, Pop Warner Football, AYSO (soccer), swimming classes at the local YMCA (plus they have exercise machines galore in most places)…there are many other options, and we encourage home educators to take advantage of them.  (Children in school have required P.E. programs, they don’t need assistance in this regard.)

That said, there are homeschoolers who are living in somewhat isolated situations, and who may not have the resources or access to local sports or gyms.  It is for this admittedly (hopefully) small number of people that we’ve created our two P.E. Elective courses.

Exercise Basics is for students ages 8-adult, who have had a checkup with a legitimate doctor and are in decent health.  It is an open-ended program of essential exercises, built to develop in difficulty over a 100 day period, and then plateau.  Most of the “normal” exercises are here, such as running, pushups, pulls ups, sit ups, etc.  Videos are provided where people with expertise demonstrate how to do each exercise.  The regimen is clearly spelled out.  This is a fair fall-back for people without resources or access.

Baseball is intended to be done by a group of at least six students, though a single student could use most of nit and learn all about the history and rules, and develop a skill set for the National pastime.  One of our most comprehensive courses, this one is also one of the most fun!  Written by a 40-year fan of the game (a serious fan who lives and dies with his team’s fate…), this course covers all the bases!  You will need to have access to a baseball diamond on a regular basis to really benefit from the course, though you can always set up a diamond in a park or large, empty area.  You’ll need gloves, bats and balls, too!

CAN I PURCHASE INDIVIDUAL COURSES TO FILL NEEDS IN MY CHILD’S EDUCATION?
Yes.  Each STEPS course is a free-standing, independent study.   This is particularly trues of electives.

HOW QUICKLY COULD I START USING STEPS 4?
Start now.  You can start STEPS at any time of the year, 24/7/365.   Everything you need is pretty much included in the courses you will download, for STEP 3.  (Some courses require films or outside books, which are carefully explained, with links provided detailing where to find them.)

HOW MUCH DO I, THE TEACHER OR PARENT, NEED TO KNOW ABOUT P.E. IN ORDER TO USE STEPS?  HOW MUCH DO I NEED TO DO?
You (teacher/tutor/parent) do not need any expertise in subjects your student is studying, using STEPS.   Not as a teacher, or in the subjects being taught.  You do not need a degree, or experience as a teacher.  Each course does the “teaching”.   Just follow the lesson plans, and keep your eyes open for fun opportunities related to whatever the student is studying.   The course does the teaching.

HOW QUICKLY CAN I MOVE MY STUDENT UP STEPS?
A student can move up at any time he has the literacy skills and maturity for the next level.  The student does not need to “complete” a lower level of curriculum to move up.  The student just needs to be able to successfully do the next higher level of curriculum as far as difficulty and literacy.  With STEPS, a student is never “behind” or “ahead” – each student moves at the pace they’re comfortable with, every step in every lesson plan, every course, every level.