New Review!!! WonderMaps!

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About the product/service: As part of the TOS Homeschool Crew I received a free download of WonderMaps.  Wondermaps is a new product from Bright Ideas Press (The Mystery of History folks!) that includes over 350 maps.  I'm going to be lazy this time, and pull some of the description from the Bright Ideas website.  (There are just some times when it doesn't make sense to re-invent the wheel.)

 

WonderMaps is designed with easy-to-use layers that allow you to enjoy great customizable features with just a click. Select:


• Historical or modern-day maps

• Outline, reference, political, or topographical maps

• Black-and-white or color maps

• Features including: names, borders, rivers, cities, physical features, and graticules


WonderMaps includes:

• 60+ maps of the world

• 60+ maps of the USA

• 125 historical maps, including 25 biblical maps

• The complete map sets from The Mystery of History vols. I–III and All American History vols. I & II

Here's a video!!!

What are the pros of this product? Well, let's just say, if you want a map, you can pretty much be sure they have it!  :)  Oh, and it's very, very cool!



What's not to like? Well, maybe you'll get overwhelmed with all the choices!  :)


The Crazy Mom take: I admit, I was blown away by how cool this product is!  I'm really sorry that I didn't have this a little earlier in the year when we needed some maps for a couple of projects.  I just decided that for review purposes, I'd just let the kids play around with it for fun.  I know this product will come in handy time and time again.  We've been a bit "light" on geography, but now I can easily pull it other subjects like literature, current events, and more!  Very cool, indeed. 


What's the bottom line? $49.95

I am going to give WonderMaps 5 out of 5 smileys!!!

Check it out! http://brightideaspress.com/




See what my fellow TOS Crew members have to say @

http://homeschoolblogger.com/homeschoolcrew/783915/





*The Smiley System:

I can't really recommend this product.

I doubt this product would be helpful to many people.

This is a good product, but isn't right for everyone.

Most homeschool moms will find this useful.

This is great, and I would recommend it to anyone!!!


Disclaimer!!! I reviewed this product because I am a member of The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew. I was given the product by the vendor to use and evaluate in my home so that I might share my insights with others. Other than receiving the product, which I kinda have to to be able to assess the product, I am not compensated for my reviews in any way. I am in no way obligated to give a positive review. I do try to point out negatives when I see them, though I am admittedly a pretty easy going gal! What you read are my honest assessments of the products I receive.

As with all products, you must do the research before buying. Please visit the the other crew members' blogs, the vendor websites, and any other review sites you might find before buying. I can't guarantee that a product will work for you. You must decide what will fit with your teaching style, and your child(ren)'s learning style(s). I do not judge anything other than the educational value of the products I review. I am not qualified to make judgements as to the safely of any product, and I make no guarantee that the products I review are safe for you, your family, or anyone else. I am simply giving my opinion; only you know what is best for you and your family.

Don't use your blow dryer while you sleep or take a bath. Don't read my reviews in the tub either, and please do not read them when you are asleep, though I do not guarantee that you won't fall asleep reading them!

Copyright 2011 Ramblings from the Crazy House 2

New Review!!! Map Skills E-book from Soli Deo Gloria Resources!

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About the product: As part of the TOS Homeschool Crew I was given a free download of the Map Skills E-book from Soli deo Gloria Resources.  This e-book is a three week map skills unit study created for grades K-3 which teaches foundational geography and map-reading skills. 

The book teaches basic directional skills, basic map reading, the correlation between physical direction and spiritual direction, and language skills that relate to map reading, directionality, and basic geography.  The book uses crafts, games, activities, worksheets, and more to make learning these skills fun. 

What are the pros of this product?  Being an e-book, you can download this and start using it right away.  (A printed version is also available.)  Print it out as many times as you want for use in your own family.  Great for families that love unit studies, new homeschoolers who are not yet comfortable with preparing their own curriculum, or for veteran schoolers who prefer a lot of hands on activities to book work.  I can also see this as a great resource for a homeschool coop. 



What's not to like? If you aren't into unit studies or are adept at making your own, this would probably not suit your needs.  Due to the fairly simple topic, and the young age it's geared towards, I would think that most moms (or dads) would probably already work a lot of the material into their everyday lives.  However, if you have a gap in this area, this is a good way to fill it. 

The Crazy Mom take: This particular e-book was not a good fit for us simply because we have covered this subject in other ways.  For example, my youngest son, Baber, is the child in the age group this product is geared towards.  He already very familiar with North, South, East, and West from a little game he plays.  Also, we have traveled extensively, and the kids always get the maps out and follow along.  We have even had four compasses engraved with scriptures that relate to direction which each of our oldest boys have received on their 13th birthdays.  So, we have it covered!  LOL  I did find a couple things to do with the kids in the e-book, such as having them make a map of our house, and I did use one of the scriptures for their copywork. 

If you're like me and don't really need a map skills e-book, you might want to check out some of the other products from Soli Deo Gloria.  As a matter of fact, members of the crew have reviewed two other products, the Young Hearts Longing for God Bible Study in the Psalms and and a William Tyndale Unit Study.  Check it out!!!


Happy Studying!!! 



 

What's the bottom line? $11.50

I am going to give Soli Deo Gloria out of 3 out of 5 smileys!!! 

Check it out! http://www.solideogloriaresources.com/

See what my fellow TOS Crew members have to say @ http://homeschoolblogger.com/homeschoolcrew/783241/


*The Smiley System: 

I can't really recommend this product.

 I doubt this product would be helpful to many people.
 This is a good product, but isn't right for everyone.
 Most homeschool moms will find this useful.
 This is great, and I would recommend it to anyone!!!

Disclaimer!!!  I reviewed this product because I am a member of The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew.  I was given the product by the vendor to use and evaluate in my home so that I might share my insights with others.  Other than receiving the product, which I kinda have to to be able to assess the product, I am not compensated for my reviews in any way.  I am in no way obligated to give a positive review.  I do try to point out negatives when I see them, though I am admittedly a pretty easy going gal!  What you read are my honest assessments of the products I receive. 

As with all products, you must do the research before buying.  Please visit the the other crew members' blogs, the vendor websites, and any other review sites you might find before buying.  I can't guarantee that a product will work for you.  You must decide what will fit with your teaching style, and your child(ren)'s learning style(s).  I do not judge anything other than the educational value of the products I review.  I am not qualified to make judgements as to the safely of any product, and I make no guarantee that the products I review are safe for you, your family, or anyone else.  I am simply giving my opinion; only you know what is best for you and your family.

Don't use your blow dryer while you sleep or take a bath.  Don't read my reviews in the tub either, and please do not read them when you are asleep, though I do not guarantee that you won't fall asleep reading them!

Copyright 2010 Ramblings from the Crazy House