Drive Thru History Adventures: A TOS Crew Review

Drive Thru History Adventures

Buckle up -History just got more exciting than ever with Drive Thru History Adventures! We have been long-time fans of Dave Stotts and Drive Thru History, we call him our "favorite teacher."  Last year, we got to review the lastest Drive Thru History - The Gospels - check out our review.  I'm super excited to share - Drive Thru History Adventures has gotten even better...

Now, you can truly take Drive Thru History Adventures on the go with you - everywhere! The online subscription gives you immediate access to all three adventure courses:

• Bible History (18 weeks on the Gospels) 
• American History (12 weeks on early American history) 
• Ancient History (12 weeks on early Greece, Rome and Asia Minor)

But, it's more than just access to the videos - they have included curriculum you can use to take the learning even deeper.  Can I just say... LOVE!  LOVE!  LOVE!  Printable worksheets, discussion questions, additional readings and more.  It's the perfect complement to your high school history studies.  It's all organized according to the Adventure you are studying.  This site is so easy to use!

This year, our history started with Roman times.  We decided to cruise through the Ancient History course first.  Dave takes us to the locations of history.  We get to actually visit the Colosseum, Ephesus and other key locations in Greece, Turkey and Rome.  Woven throughout each episode is Biblical truth and we get to witness God's hand in history.  We have loved getting to explore, and laugh, with Dave in his cool "rides."

My testers have literally grown up watching Drive Thru History videos, and being able to have full access to all our favorite episodes online is the best.  

The extras in the curriculum section are a true treasure!  My older students really enjoyed getting the chance to show what they had learned, and take other interesting "side roads".  Side Roads are addition topics that Dave presents that introduce another interesting fact, not included in the videos.  For example, this article about the "Roman Road System at the Time of Jesus" was the perfect addition to our study, and provided a great discussion tool for how God uses historical times and places to spread his Gospel.

I mentioned the site is very easy to use, and is jam-packed with information!

We explored the Bible History Course too.  This course takes you to the locations straight out of the Bible. We visited Nazareth, Jerusalem and the locations Jesus walked.  Truly a faith-building adventure.

• 
  
  
  
  

During this review, we didn't spend much time in the American History Course - but, I can tell you from past experience - you do NOT want to miss it!

In addition to all the video adventures, amazing curriculum, extras, and your subscription comes with community - a Facebook group for all those adventuring together, and a blog where Dave shares interesting articles, our favorites have been the historical context for some of our modern day celebrations like Valentine's Day.

PLUS- Drive Thru Adventures is available on the Drive Thru Adventure TV App! Yep, as part of your subscription - you get access to everything right on your mobile device. Perfect for your actual road trips, you and your students can take history adventures together.

Check out this special for joining Drive Thru History Adventures - a FREE Gospels DVD Set!  Not only that  - Drive Thru History Adventures is offering 20% for readers of The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine. (hint - check out page 19).

Thank you Dave Stotts for taking us on adventures, and making history come alive!

Find Drive Thru History Adventures on Social Media:

Facebook: http://facebook.com/drivethruhistory
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/drivethruhistory/,
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drivethruhistory/ Tag: @drivethruhistory


Hashtags:
#hsreviews, #drivethruhistory, #drivethruhistoryadventures, #adventurelearning

See what other members of the Crew thought here

MN - Welcome to TX!

Two of my besties from MN came all the way to TX, just to hang out with me (and go to Magnolia and IF:Gathering...)

It was a much needed respite from our cancer fighting.  What a blessing to have friends that have known you for decades (and still like you!). 

First stop on our epic adventure:

The Bluebonnet Cafe in Marble Falls.  This is an iconic little cafe, and now I know why... PIE and the CINNAMON ROLLS!  I'll never just drive right past again - it's a new stop on the way to Belton!

After that much needed stop after an hour on the road, it was back in the zippy little car and on to Waco.

But, of course - having a TX driver's license, I'm not allowed to pass Buc-Ees without a stop.  After introducing them to how we do potty stops around these parts... we hit the road again.

It is fun to "see" these familiar sights with new eyes... Seriously TX - do you have to be such a BIG bragger about everything, even gas stations??

UltraKey Online Family Subscription from Bytes of Learning: A TOS Crew Review

UltraKey Online Family Subscription from Bytes of Learning

Typing and keyboarding are a vital skill for today's world, and we have found a new program to help us master it! UltraKey Online Family Subscription from Bytes of Learning is a online customizable course that can get you up to speed in no time!

This self-paced course includes 12 lessons designed for ages 8 to adult. Sessions are meant to take approx. 20 minutes.

One of my favorite parts of this program is that it is completely customizable to each user - the UltraKey Online Family Subscription offers options for 3, 5 or 8 users, and the parent account is free (you can use it too - I did, and it's fun!)  The set up is very easy, and you can see everything on your dashboard.

Your student takes an assessment to help with placement.  Both of my testers (grades 3 & 4) are brand new typists, so they started at the beginning.  I took a test and decided I could use some extra practice, so I've been using the program too.  

At first - everyone learns about proper posture and finger placement.  The program uses a combination of short video animations, slides and audio instruction.  Each user can set their own goals or let the program set the goal based on assessment.  The goals can be changed.  

Each user can customize their settings - changing display colors, displaying the hands on screen, practice amounts, and if to allow backspacing. I never realized how much I do this, until I couldn't :-)

The program automatically returns to the spot you left off.  This program is very user friendly, and easy to learn - both of my testers were able to work completely independently.  Lessons focus on teaching a specific key, then letter combos, and finally integrating it into words and sentences.  

Once you complete the lesson, you are ready for a Skill Check.  This will assess your typing to your set goals - both for wpm and accuracy.  I found I had set my goals a bit high, and had to re-do them.  The program will not allow you to move on until you master your goal.  


The "My Reports" section allows me to see their progress.  Which lessons they have completed, skill checks, wpm and accuracy.  Printable certificates can be downloaded.  

In addition to working through the lessons - the Typing Forum allows you to take typing tests or use the free typing tool.  This is an area to practice your skills.

 The Game Zone has several options to incorporate your typing practice into games.  My testers really enjoyed this section - and were please by how the lessons had helped them! 

Overall, I am very impressed with this program.  It is user-friendly, works on any computer - or even on tablets (with keyboards), and is very affordable.   The program includes helpful PDF User Manuals, short videos and solid instruction.  I like that it's not overly animated, or game based.   It's engaging but, offers solid ways to actually improve both your speed and accuracy in typing.

 We have tried other approaches, but this program has really shown measurable results in our typing improvement.  You will want to check this one out!

 Find Bytes of Learning on Facebook
Hashtags:
#hsreviews, #typing, #keyboarding, #onlinelearning

See what other members of the Crew thought here

Wulf the Saxon from Heirloom Audio Productions: A TOS Crew Review

Wulf the Saxon from Heirloom Audio Productions

We're back for another year with the TOS Review Crew - and we can't wait to introduce to you Wulf the Saxon from Heirloom Audio Productions.  This is the ninth production of one of our favorites - we have LOVED them all! This 2 audio drama CD set is designed for ages 6 and up.

It is jam-packed-adventure-filled listening with  , true history, memorable characters and vital life lessons.  With over 2.5 hours of listening, your and your children will not want to turn it off.

These audios are called The Extraordinary Adventures of G.A. Henty and are based on the books from GA Henty, the amazing author.  His stories have been family favorites for years, especially with my sons.  However, these stories appeal to all my children - boys and girls.  We listen to them in the van, and everyone - ages 8 to 18 love them!

The fully dramatized audios are professionally done.  They feature a star-studded cast: Brian Blessed, Chris Larkin, Helen George and Patrick Godfre7 (just to name a few!)

 They truly transport us into the time-period.  This is a great way to expand your child's imagination.  Heirloom Audio is passionate about bringing Christian history to life. They get to "see" the entire story as they listen.  I assure you, this alone has made listening worthwhile!

But, there's always more - the story is not only filled with edge-of-your-seat adventure, it contains valuable lessons like courage, honor, honesty, loyalty.  All of this unfolds in the story, and never sounds "preachy".  The characters are true role-models for our children, in an age where finding those can be a challenge.

We are currently studying this time period in our history class. Wulf the Saxon is set in the 1060's in medieval England. We join him in daring escapes, fierce battles and even in learning to love - as he discovers the meaning of "Fortunate are the few who marry for love".

Young Wulf is a character that you can identify with.  Eager, but headstrong, he must learn patience and self-control along with his courage.  As we follow his story - we get a first row seat for one of the conflicts that has shaped history - The Battle of Hastings.

My testers LOVE the sound effects of these audios - the clash of swords, the sounds of the sea (we were almost seasick ourselves), the din of the battles.  Listening to them inspires them to want to read the original books (homeschool mom win!)  My older testers, long time GA Henty readers, were thoroughly impressed at how the audio followed the story plot closely.

They also appreciate how these stories often tell the other, lesser-known side to history.  We all learn about William the Conqueror in history - but, how often do we get the opportunity to see it through the eyes of a Saxon?  This is part of the brilliance in this audio.

We highly recommend them!

In addition, you should consider becoming part of the  Live The Adventure Club.   It's filled with resources to help you make history come alive.  They offer links to many useful articles, projects, recipes, and more in the Parent Resource section. Study Guides for all the The Extraordinary Adventures of G.A. Henty and lots of fun activities to explore!  Check it out - they are offering a free 30 day trial!

 Other Heirloom Audios include:

• Under Drake’s Flag - the story of Sir Francis Drake 
• In Freedom’s Cause - William Wallace and Robert the Bruce in their fight for Scottish independence 
• With Lee in Virginia - the American Civil War 
• The Dragon and the Raven - the Viking invasions of England 
• Beric the Briton - the Roman invasion of Britannica 
• The Cat of Bubastes - Ancient Egypt
• In the Reign of Terror - the French Revolution
• Captain Baley's Heir - American West

Find Heirloom Audio Productions  on Social Media: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeirloomAudio

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeirloomStories Tag: @HeirloomStories 

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/heirloomaudio/ Tag: @heirloomaudio 

Instagram: https://instagram.com/HeirloomAudioOfficial Tag: @HeirloomAudioOfficial 

Google+: https://goo.gl/d8btpX

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ9d9hNYwfUAUHhpcvnJ1_Q

Hashtags: 

#hsreviews ,#HeirloomAudio, #WulfTheSaxon, #LiveTheAdventure, #BringingHentyBack

#AudioAdventures

See what other members of the Crew thought here

The Love/Hate Relationship is Back!

You may remember my Love/Hate relationship with Valentine Boxes....Check out my first post - look how much they've grown!

Well, after a few years of reprieve - they are back!  Our dear Coop celebrated Valentines Day with this long treasured tradition.

Here we go again!  Introducing our 2018 collection:

 Princess Castle - complete with "Elsa braid"

 Gumballs!

 Castle - with battlements and removable storage top!

The Wedding Cake  - no groom in sight...

Our Hot Air Balloon (with my coffee bar tin - we all had to make sacrifices...)

Coca-cola - and a poser!

Yes, you are correct - nothing says Happy Valentine's Day like a Guillotine!

The best part.... this time around - I wasn't needed!!  Okay - I love them.