Roman Town Review

We were recently asked to review a computer game called "Roman Town- Dig It". The website states it is the "premier archaeology computer game for kids". It is available for purchase at a reasonable price of $39.95. But, for a limited time (until February 21) you can use the coupon code TOS2011 and purchase the game for only $19.96 making it an awesome deal! This game would be great to add to a unit on archaeology or Roman times. However, it is also just a great, fun game that kids will love even without any previous knowledge of either of those subjects

Though the website says it is the "premier archaeology computer game" it is so much more than that. My 9 year old has learned so much about Roman living in his "playing".

Each level has different artifacts to "dig" and after digging out each artifact you learn about that artifact and how it was used in everyday life in Roman times!

At the end of each level there is a report that must be completed to move on. The report was a big part of the learning aspect of the "game". I didn't tell Paul that this was a "learning game" and just presented it to him one afternoon when he was on the computer playing his normal games (that are also "learning without knowing it" type games--we seldom have games that aren't educational around here). He flew right through the first "dig" and then came to the "report". The report is a paragraph with missing vocabulary words and the words are listed in a "word-bank" at the bottom of the screen (see image below). You have to drag each word into the correct spot--he was stumped because he had not taken the time to learn about each artifact. We went back through it together and he was amazed at how much there was to learn and how interesting it was to learn about Roman life! I never had to remind him again to read the information about each artifact. He was so happy when he was able to complete the next report without any help from Mom and on the first try!

After each "dig" there are also learning games and puzzles for the student to play that reinforce what was learned during that "dig". Paul loved this aspect and stayed on each level longer than needed because he enjoyed the games.

One aspect of the game that I wasn't expecting was that there is no sound. I really thought I wouldn't like this, at first, but then I figured out what a great feature it is! Paul had to read all the information. Also, with my 3 very loud kids I was glad to have a game that was silent! Since he is a fluent reader it was not a problem but if your child is not a fluent reader take that into consideration before purchasing. There is a great deal of reading and the words are not easy. I would think it is written on atleast a 3rd grade level. The website states that the game targets 5th-8th graders, but Paul is a strong reader and did well with it.

As I have stated in previous reviews of computer learning programs we are not big fans of games with high graphics and fast moving images. Kids don't need to be constantly bombarded with that. That is one of the things I love about Roman Town. Though the images are highly detailed and show what Roman life was like, it is not a fast-paced "crazy" game that is more play than education. It is a truly educational experience! It's great to teach problem solving and critical thinking skills on top of the facts your child will learn while playing!

There is also an educational guide available for download. The guide gives information on Archaeoloy and Roman life making it a valuable tool for those who wish to incorporate Roman Town in to a study on archaeoloy and/or Roman times. It also includes fun activities and ideas for lessons to expand your studies. The educational guide is full of great ideas but the game can be fully used and enjoyed without the guide, and without any additional g studies on Rome. We are currently studying American History but this was just an extra activity.

Don't forget about the coupon code TOS2011 to save 50% on this game. Only $19.96 is a great deal on this great game!

Don't forget to take a look at what other TOS crew members have to say here

Disclaimer: I received this product for free in exchange for my honest opinion of the product. There was no other compensation given for the review

City Creek Press - Times Alive Review

If your kids are bored with learning their times tables through the traditional means Times Alive is the solution. I was recently given the opportunity to review this downloadable program by City Creek Press. The downloadable version is priced at $44.95. The program is also available on CD Rom for PC or Mac for $48.95.

Times Alive has songs and stories to teach your child the times table. The songs are very catchy and easy to remember. You can see (and hear) some of the songs and stories that are on the program here.

Paul knows most of his multiplication tables so we did not use the program exactly the same as someone who knows none of their multiplication facts. If multiplication is new to a child I would suggest going straight through the "lesson list" and having them learn them in the order shown there. Each fact or group of facts has a story or song for the child to listen to and learn that fact (or group of facts). The child is then quizzed on that fact. The facts are periodically reviewed as the child moves through the program. You can also print out the "worksheets" and have your child review them in a more traditional way. For Paul he would have been very bored if he had to go through all the tables so I had him complete the tests that they give periodically and then go back and watch any of the videos that he did not know the facts quickly. He struggles with his 3's and 4's time tables (I know most kids struggle with the higher numbers but he has no trouble with those just the 3's and 4's) So, this program has helped him move those facts in to his long term memory! He has loved it and will never forget that 4 x 4 = 16, because you "have to be 16 to drive a 4x4". I will admit that I am a bit sick of hearing the stories and songs, but I am thankful he finally has the hang of some of these more difficult (for him) multiplication tables. The program is great for visual as well as auditory learners. I also loved the way the program tests the students periodically and reviews the math facts already learned.

If your budget doesn't allow for the price of this software City Creek Press offers lots of other products that make learning multiplication facts easy and fun. They also have packages that help reduce the cost of each individual product. Also, if your child is not ready for their multiplication tables they have just recently developed "Addition the Fun Way" for younger students. There is no age range suggested on the website. I feel the Times Alive would be appropriate for any child that can understand the concept of multiplication and that multiplication is simply fast adding--probably about 2nd grade. On the other end I don't think there would be an age that would be too old for this product. If a student doesn't know their times tables no matter how old they can benefit from this program. An older teen might find it a bit childish but it would still be very effective to commit the facts to memory.

You can see what other Crew members have to say here.

Disclaimer: I received this product for free in exchange for my honest opinion of the product. There was no other compensation given for the review

Easy Classical Early Modern History Schedule - Review

I was recently privileged to review Easy Classical's Early Modern History Schedule. You can purchase the schedule in it's digital version for $29.95 or a notebook version for $35.95. The curriculum is geared for K-6th graders.

The schedule includes 36 weeks of lessons plus 45 pages of extras! You will also get review questions (with the answers) for each weeks lesson as well as a shopping list of things to have on hand for the next week! You also get detailed instructions on how to use the schedule. This is a truly Classical approach to teaching History, closely aligned to Susan Wise Bauer's books on a Classical education.

The schedule is very easy to follow and very appealing to the eye. It is not visually overwhelming like some schedules I have seen. The review questions as well as the shopping list immediately follow each weeks lessons which is very nice instead of having to flip to a different section of the book to ask questions. I also like the fact that the answers are given right there as well. Sometimes, as a busy homeschooling Mom I haven't studied the lessons near as much as my kids are required to so I like to have a quick way to make sure their answers are correct!

Easy Classical offers many different schedules all set up the same way. The schedule I reviewed was "Early Modern American History (Explorers to 1820) and includes the following:

Explorers (Weeks 1-7)

13 Colonies (Weeks 8-12)

Colonial America (Weeks 13-20)

Road to Independence (Weeks 21-25)

Revolution (Weeks 26-36)

There are many books that go along with this schedule that would need to be purchased separately to use the schedule to it's full potential. However, since homeschoolers are known for our ability to "tweak" everything you can always find something that you already have on hand to substitute for a particular book. All the books the schedule utilizes are listed at the beginning of the schedule. They include history resources as well as writing resources, scheduled read alouds, free reading books, and picture books.

The schedule is quite heavy in the area of reading. Each new topic is typically introduced on Mondays so the reading on Monday is particularly heavy, but it could definitely be split out into other days throughout the week. There are also many activities to appeal to every type of learner. There are also great little icons throughout the schedule to help us busy homeschool Moms remember everything that needs to be done.

If you would like to learn more you can checkout Easy Classical's website and see all their great schedules and products for not only History but Geography, Science, Writing and even complete schedules.

Don't forget to check out what other TOS crew members are saying here.

Disclaimer: I received this product for free in exchange for my honest opinion of the product. There was no other compensation given for the review