Bright Ideas and Wonder(ful) Maps!

 Homeschool, Reviews  No Responses »
May 162011
 

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I hate map-hunting.

No, I’m not talking about treasure maps, where you use the map to look for treasure – I’m talking about looking for the map itself! (And not the secret “X marks the spot” kind… just maps. Organized, printer-friendly, relatively comprehensive, MAPS.

I’m sure you’ve done it. You get to talking with the kids about something – a plant, an animal, an event… and all of the sudden one of them asks, “Where IS that, anyways?”

I pretty much make the habit these days of resorting to Google Maps. At least the question gets answered, right?

But all too often, I’m wishing I could PRINT it for them – so they could add it to a “geography” book – which we don’t have, but I’m perpetually intending to get around to creating.

Online maps don’t lend themselves to nice, simple, printing – either they’re easy to use as an online or directional reference – or they’re a flat image. Those images are generally one specific type of map, one odd shape for printing, and have either far too much or too little information.

Recently the Homeschool Crew has been trying out WonderMaps, a new product from Bright Ideas Press. WonderMaps is indeed a bright idea; it’s extremely simple to use, comprehensive, and adaptable to any history, geography, or social studies curriculum.

WonderMaps does include some specialized maps that correspond directly to both The Mystery of History and All American History, but with over 350 different maps included, pretty much anything you need will be here, regardless of what program you are using.

These aren’t just modern day maps, either: there are more then 125 historical maps, including 25 biblical maps.

Maps are viewable and printable with different “layers” – options include:

  • outline, reference, political, or topographical variations
  • black-and-white or color
  • features that may be turned on and off, such as: names, borders, rivers, citites, physical features, and graticules (the grid of lines, especially latitude and longitude, on a map)

This isn’t a resource that is best for one specific type of homeschool, teacher, or learner – these maps are usable by anyone to supplement their particular program in their preferred way. Nor is it restricted to the tech-savvy, or those over a certain age – it’s simple to use, and anyone who can read will be able to find their way through the map index.

WonderMaps has “won” me over; they’d make a wonderful resource for any homeschooling household.

But don’t just listen to me – here’s a “tour” video showing off all the features of WonderMaps:

WonderMaps may be purchased from Bright Ideas Press for $49.95. You may choose download only, or download plus a CD. It’s available for Windows or Macintosh.

To see what other crew members had to say about this product, check out the TOS Homeschool Crew blog post, Bright Ideas Press.

**I received this product for free as a member of the 2010-11 The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew so that I could provide you with an honest review of it by our family.**

Movie unit study – Z-guides and The Adventures of Robin Hood

 Homeschool, Reviews  2 Responses »
Apr 012011
 

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Zeezok’s Z-Guides to the Movies are in-depth film studies that enhance learning by putting each film into the proper historical and social context. There are nearly 30 titles currently available, and more are planned.

Each unit study is available in ebook form on CD. Some, but not all, titles are also available as instant downloads – eventually, all will be. (See the list at the end of the post for titles available.)

I let the kids choose the movie, and we received The Adventures of Robin Hood study guide. It was easiest for us to obtain the movie via Netflix. (I’m told that all movies used for z-guides are available through Netflix.) Other options might be your local library or video rental store, though Zeezok also sells them if you desire to purchase. The kids were surprised at how enjoyable they found the movie. The discussion that ensued wandered into the realms of changing technology,  along with how some movies (or books or music) can be so well-done that they become classics that are enjoyed by many generations.

Each study includes a week-long suggested schedule to use if desired. We actually stretched it out over a time period closer to a month. I’m not much of a TV person – I don’t think I could stand to go through all the activities and re-watching as needed in just one week!

The ebook is 32 pages, with slight color accents, but easy to read when printed in black and white. (I only print in color if I absolutely must – ink lasts much longer that way. Initially, I intended to have Tiger and Chef, my middle and high-schooler, answer the questions on paper, so I printed out copies of the activity pages for each of them. It didn’t work out that way. We found it much more realistic to simply use the questions as discussion questions. That allowed my younger two students to also participate fully, because I could more easily explain questions and terms that they did not understand. It also made for a much better discussion group, as five creates a much more vibrant discussion then just three. (And since in this house, when the TV goes on, they all watch, it makes a lot more sense to include them in the educational part, too.)

Preparation, other then obtaining and previewing the movie (if desired), is minimal – skim the pages and decide if you want to use the print method, the discussion method, or a combination of the two.

It’s easily adaptable to a variety of learning styles, and each study even includes some type of “hands-on” activity for the kinesthetic learner. Other activities include various topical discussion questions, some kind of “fun page” (ours had a word search),

A note about ratings, movies, and appropriateness:

Many of the movies used were creating before the ratings system was put into place. When you look for rating information, you may find it blank or NR. A representative from Zeezok assured me that they have done their best to carefully choose movies that will be acceptable to the widest range of families. Due to individual preferences, I’d recommend that you do your own research if you have questions. IMDB has a parental guide/ content advisory section, or check your favorite movie ratings site. (Wikipedia might also be useful – sometimes controversies are noted there.)

Also – one of the main benefits of these guides is that they give you a way to discuss tough subject matter with your children. These movies are set in a different time and place then the world we live in. It can be difficult to imagine a world so different in many respects from our own, and the movies are a visual, immersive window into that former reality. Explaining what racial prejudice is in dry facts, that’s one thing. Showing, visually, with characters that they can identify with, and emotions and consequences of that prejudice; that leads to a depth of understanding that can only be eclipsed by actually having lived through it.

And that’s one of the things we’re trying so hard to teach our children, isn’t it? To learn from the mistakes of the past so they are not doomed to repeat them.

Thoughts on value:

Z-Guides are $12.99 each. I’d consider this a bit steep for a 32-page ebook, though the questions truly are impressive. When purchasing on CD, shipping and handling adds another $5.95 – bringing the total to just under $19. Definitely not going to happen around here on a weekly basis. I also tend to be annoyed with ebooks that are the same price instant download as shipped on CD – the minimal overhead, should, in my opinion, give at least a slight discount. Especially when the physical product does not allow resell.

However, if you spread the use out over a month, more like we did, it brings the price to a much more budget-friendly range, and sticking to instant downloads, too, will help. As the material is quite good, we’ll likely purchase other titles, though the price will make it occasional use, rather then regular. (Ideally, I’d like to see the instant download in the $5-8 range – and would really prefer it to be available through my favorite homeschool e-curriculum site, just to simplify things, rather then the individual publisher’s page.)

Titles (with topics covered) currently available include:

12 Angry Men - U.S. Government, Judicial Procedures, Power of Observation, Capital Punishment, Social Justice
A Man for All Seasons - Tudor English History, Henry VIII, Sir Thomas More, Separation of Church and State, Character Quality of Keeping Your Word
A Tale of Two Cities - French Revolution, 18th Century European History, Consequences of Revenge, Sacrificial Love
Amazing Grace - 18th Century British History, Abolition of Slavery, William Wilberforce, Civic Responsibility
Ben-Hur - Roman Empire, History of Palestine, Friendships, Consequences of Hatred

Cromwell - English History, English Civil War, Oliver Cromwell, Principles of Government
Driving Miss Daisy - Post-World War II U.S. History, Personal Relationships, Race Relationships, Discrimination
Father Goose - World War II in the Pacific, Interpersonal Relationships, Honesty
Flyboys - World War I, Facing Uncertainty / Death, Racial Prejudice, Aeronautics
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner - Race Relations, Interracial Marriage, Parent-Child Relationships

Inherit the Wind - The Roaring Twenties 1925, Political Advertising
Jason and the Argonauts - Ancient Greek history, Greek Mythology, Consequences of Lying, Consequences of Disobedience
Johnny Tremain - Events Leading Up To The American Revolution, Dealing with False Accusations, Handling Personal Disappointment, Self-Sacrifice for the Good of the Nation
Kit Kittredge - The Great Depression, Hobo Life, Journalism
Knights of the Round Table - Medieval England, Character Development, Friendship, Consequences of Forbidden Love, Leadership Qualities

Les Miserables - Love, Forgiveness, Mercy, Consequences of a Vengeful Spirit, Random Acts of Kindness, Parenting
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington - U.S. Government, Judicial Procedures, Power of Observation, Capital Punishment, Social Justice
My Side of the Mountain - Natural Science, Henry David Thoreau, Survival Skills
One Night with the King - Ancient Persian History, Ancient Israel History, Loyalty, Results of Excessive Pride and Desire for Revenge, God’s Providence
Scarlet Pimpernel - French Revolution, Preservation of Innocent Life, Civil Disobedience

Sergeant York - Civil War, Conquering Your Fears, Psychology of War, Consequences of Lying
The Adventures of Robin Hood - Medieval English history, Ethnic Conflict, Chivalry, Civil Disobedience
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas - Germany in World War II (1942-1944), Concentration Camps, Consequences of Lying, Friendships and Forgiveness, Impact of Propaganda
The Count of Monte Cristo - 19th Century France, Napoleon Bonaparte, Consequences of Lying and Scheming, Dealing with False Accusations, Anger and Revenge, Handling Wealth, Mentoring
The Hiding Place – World War II, Life in a German Concentration Camp, Forgiveness, Civil Disobedience

The Red Badge of Courage - Civil War, Conquering Your Fears, Psychology of War, Consequences of Lying
The Ten Commandments - Ancient Jewish History, Ancient Egyptian History, Forgiveness, Divine Providence, Egyptian Architecture
To Kill A Mockingbird - U.S. History Great Depression, Race Relations, Courtroom Procedures, Consequences of Lying

Z-Guides to the Movies may be purchased from Zeezok for $12.99 each.

To see what other crew members had to say about this product, check out the TOS Homeschool Crew blog post, Zeezok Publishing – Z-Guide to the Movies.

**I received this product for free as a member of the 2010-11 The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew so that I could provide you with an honest review of it by our family.**

Homeschool Crew – Travel The World Schoolhouse Planner Module

 Homeschool  3 Responses »
Jul 192010
 

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Travel the WorldThe Homeschool Crew has set sail, searching for great new products to share with other homeschoolers. Homeschool Crew members are provided with products for free in order to share them with you. You’ll always have my honest opinion, so jump on in and explore with me! Our first stop is at The Old Schoolhouse...

If you’re looking for a fun unit study on geography, the June 2010 module of the Schoolhouse Planner, Travel The World, might be the way to go. More of a general overview then an in-depth study, this activity-based ebook has 50 pages with a variety of materials, including worksheets, lapbook printables, maps, copywork, and a plethora of links.

Designed to be used by the whole family at once, most of the worksheets are appropriate for late grade school or middle school, though my older student enjoyed them due to the puzzle-style content. The “high school expansion” section could be also be used with younger children.

It’s economical: most printables are in black & white, so a copy can be made for each student, but the “text” portion of the book is in color, sometimes with multiple images per page, so we just printed one for everyone to share.

Additional items that will be helpful to have on hand:

  • Computer with internet access for kids to use for reference and game/quiz links
  • Globe or world maps
  • Geography book with regional description information
  • Encyclopedia

Activity rather then lesson-based, it’s very flexible; do each part straight through, or pick and choose, it’s up to you. I provided the kids with all the materials at once, and let them decide what order to work in. That spread resource use out enough that we didn’t have a line of children all stuck while waiting to use the same item, always a potential stumbling block in our house.

Adaptable to any learning or teaching style, it worked well for us with a bit of light guidance and direction. Mine are fairly comfortable with researching a given topic and finding information for lapbooks. I did find myself wishing that lapbook parts had been included specifically to go along with the vocabulary worksheets. Nowhere in the activities were the meanings of those words used or discussed, and we ended up creating our own booklets with that information.

An abundance of quality links; many were added to the kids’ resource and game bookmarks for future use. Some will provide the most benefit by returning occasionally over time.

Preparation time is minimal; printing materials and gathering resources. Teaching time will depend on the particular students involved, and could range from minimal with older students to intensive with younger students who aren’t able to effectively research yet.

Individual reactions: We enjoy unit studies, but this one was a bit more broad-spectrum then we’re used to. It highlights the main points of geography, which would work well as an introduction or a refresher, rather then for complete understanding. My older students felt the worksheets were “easy”, but still enjoyed participating, thanks to the puzzle-style worksheets. (And they’re always happy to do anything cut-and-paste or on the computer.) My detail-oriented, perfectionist 5th grader also caught an error on the fill-in-the-blanks page, #3, that none of his siblings did. That required some mom-intervention to figure out what the answer was actually supposed to be.

Don’t be mislead by the title - my initial expectation, was that the theme would be something “fluffy” related to summertime travel or vacation time, perhaps common places and activities that people go and do. Instead, I found a hefty amount of solid geography material with a wide selection of ideas to choose from.

Travel the World is may be purchased from The Old Schoolhouse for $7.95. New modules are available each month as add-ons to the Schoolhouse Planner, but it’s not necessary to have the planner to make use of the modules; each module is a stand-alone unit study.

To see what other crew members had to say about this product, check out the TOS Homeschool Crew blog post, TOS – Travel the World E-Book (June 2010).

**I received this product for free as a member of the 2010-11 The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew so that I could provide you with an honest review of it by our family.**

June Module spread