520.00 History Curricula Review History Through the Ages Time Travelers – New World Explorers

[Jimmie]

Name of curriculum:
History Through the Ages Time Travelers – New World Explorers

By Homeschool in the Woods (Amy Pak)

Common abbreviation:
new product; don’t know of one

Let’s make one up -- TT

Ages this curriculum is designed to be used with:
Publisher does not specify.

I think that with modifications at the lower and top levels, it could be used for grades 1-8.

Educational Philosophy: see master list
Unit Study Approach with hands-on projects
from the package: "an activity based study designed to teach hands-on"

Worldview:
Christian

Historical period (if relevant):
early modern – age of exploration

(Time Traveler CDs are also available for US Colonial period and American Revolution.)

Geographical area (if relevant):
New World

Website:
http://www.homeschoolinthewoods.com/HTTA/TTS/

Review:

This CD is a stand alone unit study with 25 lessons. It includes teacher notes, researched facts, printables (games, a diorama, and mini-books to create an entire lapbook), a timeline, and directions for activities. Everything you need is included on the CD.

Although it is primarily history based, it does include some science and language arts activities. It is not a complete curriculum, but a history-based unit study.

A quote from the website:
”Our unit studies are designed to create a hands-on learning experience that drives the lessons home in a fun way.

Our first in the series, "New World Explorers,"contains 25 lessons that can spread across 5-10 weeks, covering: Reasons for Exploration, A Sailor's Life, Ships, Navigation, 23 Explorer Profiles, Pirates, and more!”

Have you used this curriculum? What levels?
Yes, with my 8 year old.

Strengths:

Wow! This unit study is packed with resources! I bought it to supplement our existing curriculum and was surprised to discover that it is enough on its own.

If you like to lapbook, this unit study includes an entire lapbook! If you don’t like lapbooks, you can pick and choose which of the mini-books you’d like to make as stand alone projects. The lapbook activities could also be easily adapted to notebooking.

Amy Pak’s printables are beautiful! And her activities are truly tied to the learning at hand. They are not just activities for the sake of activities but real learning experiences that drive home the facts.

The organization of the materials is aesthetically attractive and very easy to navigate. The directions are super clear, telling you what and how many sheets to print for each lesson and even offer photographs of the finished products.

Weaknesses:
It is CD format, so you have to print everything out yourself. This may be a weakness if you prefer a hard copy. (Personally, I prefer a CD.)

Comments:
I am so impressed by this that I’m going to buy at least one more of the titles in this series.

In my opinion, if you’re planning to buy History Pockets or a lapbook kit on any of the TT topics (New World Exploration, Colonial America, or American Revolution), investigate these unit studies. Although more expensive, they are comparatively a better value.

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Have any of you tried these materials? Share your experiences please.
Do you have questions about this product?

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[LittleWomen]

I have Colonial times, though we haven't started it yet. It looks REALLY fun, and my kids are excited about it, too. I got several of the library books they recommend from the library, and my kids have been sneaking into them!

(They are Bobbie Kalman books about early America, if you are interested in just that part.)

[PoetryWork]

Originally Posted by Jimmie

Ages this curriculum is designed to be used with:
Publisher does not specify.

I think that with modifications at the lower and top levels, it could be used for grades 1-8.

The publisher states on her website suggested grades 3-8

[homeschoolmomof4]

Thanks so much for this review - I haven't been able to find a review on this anywhere else! I have been considering using this to replace our boring, dry BJU Heritage Studies. I showed it all to hubs last night and he agreed that it looks great and he likes the price - SOOO I will be purchasing the first unit in the next few weeks. I will share how we liked it when we start using it!

[Jimmie]

Glad to be of help, and I hope you like it as much as I do.

[KenyaMK]

We used the Explorers one and my kids LOVED it. I really SHOULD have gotten the Colony one but I had something else to use for Colonies so I didn't.

We are now ready to start The Revolutionary War so I have purchased that and the Early 19th Century. I will probably get the Civil War one too, but just couldn't spend that much at once.

I know it complements our Sonlight History journey and I would assume it would be an excellent supplement to any History curriculum unless the curriculum chosen already has plent of hands on.

Dawn