MathArt Online 4-Class Bundle (Review)

Today I'm sharing a review of MathArt Online 4-Class Bundle from a new to us vendor, NatureGlo's eScience.  Specifically for this review we worked through the Math Connections With the Real World.    Also included in the 4 class bundle are MathArt in Ancient Cultures; Mathematics in the Arts and Sciences; and Patterns in Nature.  Each class is a 6 week, online class with downloads and videos.   

For these classes, you have the video component, downloads such as a study guide and project packs (either small easy ones or bigger more complex) and an online quizlet. For the projects the instructions are to research and create your project, create a video and then upload it to youtube, a blog or some other social media platform.  We skipped this because my kids aren't allowed on social media.

The video lesson of the class is pre-recorded during live online classes, so you have the interaction (or lack thereof) with students as well as technical glitches to contend with along with the instructors delay time conversations with students.  Sometimes there are several people talking at once and it's hard to figure out whats going on, and there tends to be background noise of NatureGlo's dogs.   We found it very distracting and hard to follow.

My hope with reviewing Math Connections With the Real World was that it would help answer the question "when will I ever use this math in the real world".  My 14 year old student who is currently doing Algebra II said she had no clue what the  first two lessons were really about.  While she did understand the premise behind Fibonacci numbers, she didn't really see why she'd ever be going around counting petals on flowers and pine cones.  She said the whole thing just seemed very "hippie" to her.

One aspect of the videos and lessons she really liked though was the look at history that went along with the lessons.  We all enjoyed the videos links about Ancient Egypt, King Tut, Cleopatra and the art and music of the time. Lesson 4 was our favorite as it was almost totally based on ancient history, and I don't remember anything tying in the Fibonacci numbers.  The videos in this and several other portions of the class were links to outside sites and were really well done and engaging.  However, I'm never happy about blindly clicking on outside links.  The "find your favorite item and circle it" portion of all the lessons was just for grins and giggles as you do nothing other than circle and erase before moving on.  My history lover really enjoyed this particular lesson because of the historical content.

When we hit Lesson 5 we got caught in a "You have to complete Lesson 4 to proceed" loop.   Everything on Lesson 4 was completed and I went back over each one.  Yet I couldn't get the site to let us move on.   I sent a message via the site itself to see what was going on and within a few hours the problem was resolved and they notified me it had been changed.  Great turn around on fixing technical issues.

Overall, this was not a product review that we enjoyed.   We really had a hard time navigating the website at first and had issues with several of the links and videos.

To read other Review Crew opinions of this and other products from NatureGlo's eScience, click here.

Time Traveler American History - WWII (Review)

This has been an especially good review year for my history lover.  Today, I'm sharing our experience reviewing the Time Traveler America History - WWII set from Home School In the Woods.  Other titles in this series include:  New World Explorers, Colonial Life, The American Revolution, The Early 19th Century, The Civil War, and the Industrial Revolution through Great Depression.  We received the downloadable version of this, but you can also purchase it on CD as well. me

Let me warn you, you need to have a full laser jet ink cartridge (not an ink jet, you'll go broke) and a full pack of paper if you want to print everything off in one day.   You also need one full day, as it takes a great deal of time to print and arrange all the items.  Neither of those two points (ink and time) are meant negatively, just letting you know ahead of time so you don't have to stop mid stream. Besides paper and ink, you'll  need cardstock, a few transparency covers and 1/2 yard of felt (grey, brown or olive green) to complete the projects.   You will also need a 2-3 inch, 3 ring binder to keep all of the projects and papers in.

Below is an overall view of the projects included in this product.   I will tell you, we have not completed this entire thing as of yet, as each area has led to bunny trails and deeper study for my daughter, and that's exactly what I look for in a product.   I love seeing her get inspired and start doing further research outside of what is "required" learning.

Olivia really enjoys hands on learning.  Her favorite project from this product was the garrison cap.  She printed out the pattern, then  overlaid the pattern onto heavy felt, secured it with safety pins, then cut out the pieces.  She spent about 90 minutes total on her creation.  She was very pleased with the way her hat turned out.

 

 

 

While Olivia is adding to her timeline, newspaper and her notebook, (included in the printables) she's also adding vast amounts of knowledge to her understanding of the American soldier and the home front during World War II.  Both she and I were surprised to learn that cigarettes were included in with the daily meal rations for those on the battle field.  

For the student who loves hands on learning, this is definitely the way to go.  The Lap-Paks, Timeline and Activity Packs really help bring the subject matter to life for students.  We've also used the Project Passport, The Middle Ages this year, and my non-history lover loved it!     Also, exciting news is that A-La-Carte projects are now available!  So if you're wanting to do one or two things to go with what you're studying, you can buy individual projects and not have to buy entire units! There are currently 50 projects available, with more to come.  Additionally, use the code alacarte at checkout to get the Erie Canal project for free.  This will come in handy as the 200th anniversary of the beginning of the canal is this week.

To read other Crew members reviews of this and other Home School In the Woods products, click here.

Adventures of Rush Revere (Review)

My teen history lover was excited to see  Adventures of Rush Revere #1 New York Times Bestselling Book Series by Rush and Kathryn Adams Limbaugh show up on our review list.   We received all five books in the Rush Revere book series.  Titles included in this series area as follows.

Rush Revere and the Brave Pilgrims
Rush Revere and the First Patriots
Rush Revere and the American Revolution
Rush Revere and the Star Spangled Banner
Rush Revere and the Presidency

The books themselves are hardback, and the pages have an "aged" look.   There are colorful graphics and artwork strewn throughout the book, as well as actual photos of historic locations.   You'll also find images of "Rush Revere" throughout...it's basically the authors actual photo placed on a graphic. It reminds both Olivia and I of the little bobble heads from back in the day.  (No disrespect meant towards the author at all.)

Since we like to study history chronologically, Olivia, age 14, started off  reading the Brave Pilgrims.  She really enjoyed the writing style and the quirkiness of the book and said that it was entertaining. I on the other hand found the quirkiness to be a bit too silly.   The basic premise of the books is that American history teacher, Rush Revere and his talking horse Liberty (yes, talking horse) and a couple of students manage to travel back in time to historical events.    Cell phones still work in the 1600's and taking selfies during the signing of the Mayflower Compact were a must.

Moving onto the 2nd book in the series, Rush Revere and the Brave Patriots, the whimsy of the cuteness wore off for Olivia.  While she still found the book entertaining, she felt like it made actual history look a bit...fictitious.  She said she felt like younger readers, would be confused at to what parts of the story were actual history and what parts were just creative writing.

Since Olivia's opinion varied from book 1 to book 2, I opted to read the next book in the series, Rush Revere and the American Revolution.   From an educational standpoint, there were a few things I really loved.  First off, dates and places are mentioned, and reviewed often.  Even a student who isn't big into memorizing history facts will pick up on those without the tediousness of having to memorize.  Lesser known heroes are brought to light as well.   I also like that the teacher, Rush Revere, reviews a great deal with his time traveling students, again, helping students to pick up and retain facts that are brought out in the story.   I also like that the author works themes from history into the modern lives of students.

The final two books in the series, Rush Revere and the Star Spangled Banner and Rush Revere and the Presidency follow the same pattern with traveling in time to the events, followed by discussion and application of what was learned during the time traveling trips.

Truthfully, I didn't think I'd like these books at first.  However, I really enjoy the author's writing style, and his descriptions of places, battle scenes and events really are engaging.    I especially think boys would like the battle scenes, as it describes the sights, sounds and smells of battle without painting vividly gruesome pictures for young readers.

To read other Crew member reviews, click here.

The Beginner's Bible (TOS Crew Review)

If you have a little one, and you want to get them started on reading the Bible, then you should check out The Beginner's Bible from Zonderkidz.   Both of my girls had the older version of this Bible when they were little, and Lindsey still has hers.

This is a hard back children's Bible, containing 48 Old Testament stories, and 46 New Testament stories.   The paper is heavy duty (hopefully to withstand eager little hands).   The illustrations are full of bold, vibrant colors that are sure to grasp your child's imagination and pull them right into the story.

Wording is, of course, child friendly and written in an engaging way that children can understand.   Every single, sometimes boring, detail of each story is not included.   However there is enough of the story and meaning in place to allow young reader's to be able to grasp what they are reading and learn foundational truths from scripture.

Also included is a map & timeline of Paul's missionary journeys, as well as a brief dictionary in the back of the Bible.   The dictionary helps young readers to better understand some of the unfamiliar words they may encounter.   For example:   Book of the Law: The first five books of the Bible; Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.

The Beginner's Bible is a great to get children in the habit of reading (or being read to) from the Bible on a regular, daily basis.  Perhaps a New Year's goal would be to read at least one story out loud each night before bed?

To read other Crew members' reviews, click here.

2016 Blue Ribbon Award Winners

I know you're all preparing for Thanksgiving, but when you get a few minutes of down time, be sure to check out the 2016 Blue Ribbon Award winners, picked by the Review Crew!   You may find some new vendors and products to add to your homeschool!