Week in Review–Week of 8/31/15

I can’t say we did a lot of ‘HOME’schooling this week.  I don’t know why people worry about socialization, when I swear some weeks we are NEVER even home!

This was our first week of the new year.  I don’t say first week back, because if you have been here before, you know we year round homeschool.  But, we did start our new history and science programs this week.

I’ve been utilizing Homeschool Planet by printing of Cs daily agenda, it’s been great!  No more reminding him to brush his teeth, amongst other things! 

Monday we had our NOT back to school breakfast, as our county started public school this week. We meet up with an old friend from Hawaii, who also lives in Maryland now and is starting her homeschool adventure this year!  C also had his 9 year check up and did well!  Z and I were both having allergy issues, so we skipped soccer practice for him.

Tuesday C started back up his once a month cooking class.  He loves this class and was so excited to start going again.  It is put on by a local restaurant owner, in her home.  While he was cooking, the rest of us went to a nearby playground and did some schooling as well as playing! C had cub scouts and earned his whittling chip.

Wednesday we had a quiet day at home.  Wednesday night is usually crazy busy, but a storm was blowing in, so we skipped soccer practice, thinking for sure it would be pouring by 6pm, but low and behold it blew right over us.  oops!  Was nice to have a quiet evening home though!

Thursday we meet up with other homeschoolers for PE at Stratosphere Trampoline, they have homeschool jump time every Wed and Thurs mornings at a discount rate!  The kids had a blast.  It’s too pricey to go every week, but I think I’m going to plan on once a month! Thursday night C had soccer, and the little ones played on a nearby playground. 

Friday we did a Park Quest at Fort Frederick Stake Park, and was also a history lesson.  We had hoped to go to Rocky Gap to do one as well, but it was really hot and we were all tired and Rocky Gap was a 3.7mi hike and I forgot to bring the back carrier for K and there is no way she was going to walk it, she was TIRED!  O well!

I got another huge order of SimplyFun games in!  So excited to feature them over the next coming weeks!  Check it out each Saturday at SimplyFun Saturday! 

There is a new Instagram challenge for September! Come join us! 

I also have a few FUND Raisers going on right now!  100% of my proceeds from Usborne Books and Close to My Heart will go to Sophie and Madigan’s Playground!  Make sure you check out under Sophie and Madigan’s Playground!

Does miss FIELD TRIP FRIDAY!  (It’s back!!)

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Field Trip #174 Friday Blog Hop

Field Trip Friday!

Blog Hop designed to share 'FIELD TRIP' related Blog Posts

(does not have to be a 'home school field trip', can be any trip to any place with your children!)

**NOTE:  Before linking up please review guidelines HERE

 

I’m back!  After a 31 Day Field Trip series in July, I took August off from Field Trip Friday, but I’m back! 

We school year round, but started our new studies (History and Science) this week!

This year for history we will be studying The Middle Ages, so we kicked off our new school year with a field trip to The Maryland Renaissance Festival. 

We had a lot of fun, and unfortunately didn’t get to do everything!  The kids were beat, especially this little one

Everyone feel asleep on the way home!

Here is to the new school year!  HUZZAH!

Review: Dig-it Games (TOS Review)

For this review we were able to try out both Roman Town (iOS App) and Mayan Mysteries (Online Game) by Dig-It! Games. 

Both of these are educational games that teach about ancient history.  The player travels to different places throughout the game, gathers information and plays related games.

Mayan Mysteries, is based on the Mayan culture.  Information is gathered from people in each location, the information can be read by the player or read aloud by the computer.  Questions follow each batch of information.  Games can be played that are based on Mayan culture and the information learned.  Clues are collected to solve the mystery of Who is Ladrone?

It’s a very fun, interactive way to learn about Mayan History.  It’s designed primarily for middle schoolers (5th – 9th), but my 4th grader was able to use it without too many problems.

We incorporated this program into our daily computer schooling, 3 times a week.  My son would play for a minimum of 10-15mins, sometimes longer.  The games played constitute many subject areas, math, geography, reading, and history (obviously). 

I wish there was a way to see how my son did on the activities, what he learned, etc.  I can see what artifacts he has collected, and I can see his achievements, but it doesn’t really give me a good gist of what he learned or how he performed on the tasks.  As a homeschooler, who is using this as part of the curriculum, this would be a great feature to have! 

My 9 year old son’s favorite aspects of the games were the games, he enjoyed digging up and identifying artifacts.  He liked the comic book features.  He didn’t care for the quizzes (but I think that’s a great feature that is lacking in the app, see next review).  He thought some of the information sheets were lengthy.  I think mostly he didn’t like to take the time from the ‘games’ for the learning part.

Roman Town is an iOS app.  I used this game primarily myself.  It is set up very similar to the Mayan Mysteries.  However, there are no quizzes after reading the information found (I wish it had this aspect).  The app version was also lacking the read aloud feature.

This game is also designed for grades 5-9.  I however enjoyed it, making it suitable for older people as well!  Some of my favorite games were the Code Breakers and Roman Numerals.  The games ranged in difficulty which is good for an age range as well.

Similarly to Mayan Mysteries you are trying to solve Who is Ladrone? with this game.  You collect information, play related games and collect clues. 

Either of these games would be a great addition to your ancient history studies!  Particularly for those that learn well through games and other fun activities (who doesn’t?).

The initial app is FREE but has in-app purchases.  It’s available for iOS only systems only.

Mayan Mysteries is only $3.99 for a single game player and is also available as an iOS app.

Social Media:
https://www.facebook.com/DigItGames
https://twitter.com/digitgames
https://www.youtube.com/user/digitgames