Download N Go Review - Autumn Treasures

Download N Go Review – Autumn Treasures

Oh the beauty of Autumn.  This is such a wonderful time of year.  The leaves are changing colors, the air is crisp and cool & we are enjoying the beauty of God’s Creation.  Download N Go’s Unit called Autumn Treasures was such a great way to wind down our summer and prepare for fall. One can never get enough of the beautiful fall colors.  The reds, yellows, oranges and browns are just gorgeous!  We are blessed to live in an area where we can see all the changes.

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="210" caption="Autumn Treasures Cover"][/caption]

My boys seemed to enjoy this study.   Jonathan, who is 8, did say that autumn made him sad.  When asked why he said it’s because the leaves, plants die and the animals either sleep or go south.  I had to remind him that it was only temporary and part of God’s design for Earth.  Jordan, who is 3, loves to sit with Jonathan and I while we work on the lapbook.  He always wants to be part of whatever we are doing.  These are a wonderful way to include him.

From discovering the how’s and why’s of the weather changing to enjoying some awesome information about apples, each day was a new experience.  The videos were captivating to the boys.  My personal favorite, since the boys didn’t know the band, was the one with the Moody Blues song.  I was singing along with the song while watching the video with the boys.  It was great.

Here is what was covered each day.

Day 1: What is Autumn?
Day 2: Science Secrets of Autumn
Day 3: People and Places of Autumn
Day 4: Time for Tips and Treasures of Autumn
Day 5: Goodies and Gadgets of Autumn







[caption id="" align="alignright" width="287" caption="Inside Autumn Treasures"][/caption]



It was so much fun to go through this with my boys.  I am really enjoying these unit studies with my boys.  They really do enjoy learning and I am enjoying the time we get to spend together.

You can purchase Autumn Treasures for 20% off through September 24th!  What a GREAT Deal.  Click here to go to the store.

Also, feel free to follow the blog tour for Download N Go.  There are many families reviewing these wonderful products.  There are many reviews for the units available.  Take the time to see what others are saying about Download N Go and Autumn Treasures! Read More

Download N Go Review - Constitution Celebration

Constitution Celebration Review

This review is for Download N Go's Constitution Celebration.  I am so excited to be asked to review this product.  With everything going on in today’s society I have wanted to do something like this for our schooling but didn’t know exactly where to begin.  This product gave us a great start!

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="350" caption="Constitution Celebration Cover"][/caption]

The information in this unit study was well searched and very easy to follow.  We weren’t able to get any extra books from the library this time however, I don’t think we needed them as we had so much information already included plus I had some other books at home that went along perfectly.

The links to the videos were very good and kept my children’s attention.  (I have an 8 year old and our 3 year old watches with us)  There was even one particular video that had some of our favorite TV characters.

Each day covered different information about the Constitution.  The topics for this particular unit include the following.

Day 1:  What Is the Constitution?

Day 2:  What Is the History of Constitutions?

Day 3:  Constitutional Convention

Day 4:  Secrets of the Constitution

Day 5:  Goodies and Gadgets of the Constitution

We also worked on the lapbook (will have pictures soon) that was part of this unit.  The activities that went with this were great.  My oldest son loves to cut them out and put the lapbook together.  We also went to Washington DC while we did this study and we are incorporating some pictures from the trip in the lapbook.  That is another great thing that is great about these studies:  they can be done anywhere!

These unit studies provide so much flexibility!  They are such an easy way to do school.  All the work is done for you.  You just have to print what you want to print and use the information from the links to enjoy the study.  I am so glad to have been given this opportunity to review the products.  I wouldn't have thought that you could learn so much about one topic in a week but with the Download N Go products you really do.

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="269" caption="Inside Constitution Celebration"][/caption]

Now for the one thing I have to say in my review.  I was provided a copy of this product for free for my honest review.

You may purchase this item by clicking here. Read More

Download N Go Review & Giveaway - Pizza Party!

Who's ready for a Pizza Party?  My next review is for the Download N Go Pizza Party!  Can you think of anything better to study?  (well maybe chocolate, but that's the mommy in me talking here!)  Again, I was given a free copy of this product for my honest review.

When we began this study I knew my boys would be excited, but the word "excited" doesn't seem to describe how they felt when we began each day.  The videos and internet links were great!  My 3 year old just loved it.  Even though it doesn't count to his school yet, I was so thrilled to see him want to sit with his brother and I every day and work together.  It really was enjoyable for all of us.  :)

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="335" caption="A peek inside."][/caption]

There was so much in this study too.  Between the famous people who lived in Italy to the cities with their famous buildings, the music and of course the food!  Italy is known for it's food and probably most famously for it's pizza.  Just typing my review about this study makes me hungry!  I guarantee that you will either be inspired to make your own pizza or order one from your favorite pizza place.

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="210" caption="It's a Pizza Party!"][/caption]

Here is the list of daily topics you will enjoy learning about with this study.

Day 1: Pizza—What Is It?

Day 2: The Story of Pizza

Day 3: Types of Pizza

Day 4: The Science of Pizza

Day 5: Let’s Have a Pizza Party

Do I have you drooling yet?  Is your tummy growling?  I hope so!  I hope that you will enjoy this study as much as me and my boys did.  People, places, experiments, and PIZZA!  What more could you ask for in a study!

It has been such an awesome experience with my boys to work on these unit studies together.  They make learning fun, easy and it is quite the time saver too.  Amanda does all the research so you don't have to.  This is a great help to us busy moms!  So I encourage you to take a look at the Download N Go website.  There are SO many studies available that there is sure to be one to strike your fancy.

Also, take the time to go to the Download N Go Blog and follow the reviews of the products there!  We are having a blast with these products and love to share our experiences.  :)

GIVEAWAY!

Now for the fun part!  I have been given permission to do a giveaway for one copy of Pizza Party!  YAY!!  I enjoyed this so much and would love to share it with someone else!  So here's the info.  The deadline for the giveaway is September 12th @ Midnight.   The ways to enter are as follows.

1. Leave a comment below.
**For extra entries do one of all of the following and be sure to leave a comment letting me know you did so.
2. Share on Facebook about the giveaway.
3. Tweet about the giveaway.
4. Like Download N Go

5. Share on your own blog about the giveaway.

Sure seems easy doesn't it.  ;)

Deadline is September 12th @ Midnight

One other thing!  The DNG Pizza Party is on sale right now!  WOOHOO!!  for $5.00 you can purchase this awesome study!  Click here to order this study at this great price! The price of $5.00 is ONLY good until September 5th @ Midnight!  Take advantage of this great offer!

Read More

Quick info about a GREAT Giveaway!

Checkout the Download N Go Blog for an Awesome Giveaway!!   This is a great opportunity to get some awesome products.  For all the information and details be sure to go to the DNG Blog. Read More

Download N Go Roller Coaster Review

Hello Blog world!  This is my very first product review.  I must say at first how very excited I am about this!  When this opportunity presented itself I was thrilled to be a part of it.  I was given a free copy of the product in exchange for my honest review of it.

So let me give you some basic info about me and my family.  My husband and I met online back in 1998 and got married in 2001.  We decided even before we got married that we would educate our children at home.  We wanted them to have a solid Christian foundation in their education and learning experiences.  We now have 3 boys ages 8, 3, and 7 months.  Homeschooling has been a true blessing for us.  I have been able to enjoy my children as they grow up.  Lord knows that time goes all too quickly.  Plus I am able to individualize the education and goals for each child.

When I first heard about the product Download N Go, I was very intrigued.  I am familiar with unit studies (which is basically what DNG is) because my mother used them with me and my sister when we were educated at home.  We had a blast with unit studies then and I figured my boys would have a blast as well.  The unique feature of this specific set of unit studies is that it incorporates Lapbooks.  I had never heard of a lapbook but I will say that, with some assistance,  my son found creating one quite easy!

The first unit study I am able to share with you for review is Download N Go's Roller Coasters.  When my two oldest boys found out we would be doing a study on Roller Coasters they were thrilled!  We went to Kennywood (an amusement park in the Pittsburgh area) last year so this was just a great way to follow up even though it has been almost a year.  Both boys rode roller coasters and are looking forward to our Kennywood trip this year.  Our oldest is now going to be able to ride the Phantoms Revenge and has been telling me that I will be taking him on the ride.

I wasn't quite sure what all I would find in a DNG unit study as they are really for 5 days of study.  Was I surprised!   Each day covered something different.  These were the topics covered each day.



Day 1 - What is a Roller coaster?

Day 2 - The History of Roller Coasters (This was really interesting)

Day 3 -  People & Places of Roller Coasters

Day 4 - Science Secrets of Roller Coasters & Rides

Day 5 - Goodies & Gadgets of Roller Coasters

There were so many videos and informational links for each day.  The book suggestions were really good.  We used our local library's loan program which allows us to borrow resources from libraries in the the Greater Pittsburgh area.   The books suggested covered several age/grade groups.  It let my middle child enjoy being part of the study as well.  Every day my boys asked what we would learn next about roller coasters.  There were so many different facts that I didn't even know!



I wound up taking the unit to my local Office Max to have it printed.  I would have the DNG file opened on my PC and also have the printed version with us so we could fill in the pages.  We put them in a notebook and also made our first lapbook.  I think next time I will definitely print it up in color instead of black & white. Though it does give the kids an opportunity to color the illustrations.  It does provide several pages for drawing which was great for my oldest!  He loves to draw and make pictures for others.  This was right up his ally.

It was such a great treat to share this experience with them and I am looking forward to doing more Download N Go Unit Studies with my boys.  I know this will be a great way to enhance our education experience.  This is definitely a great way to get away from the textbook and do more specific topics to study.

Take a glance at what is in the Roller Coaster Unit here.

Feel free to follow the Download N Go Review Team as we review other DNG unit studies.

You can also purchase Roller Coasters and other Download N Go studies from The Old Schoolhouse Store.

Now for the fun part!  I have been authorized to do a giveaway!  YAY!!!   Here is how to participate.

The giveaway deadline is Monday, August 23rd, 2010.

1. Leave a comment below.
**For extra entries do one of all of the following and be sure to leave a comment letting me know you did so.
2. Share on Facebook about the giveaway.
3. Tweet about the giveaway.
4. Like Download N Go Read More

Just a quick update

My boys & I are working on the Download N Go Roller Coasters Unit study.  What a blast we are having!  So stick around and look for my full review this weekend as well as pictures of our completed lapbook! Read More

Download N Go

YAY!  I am so excited I can hardly contain myself.  I was chosen to help review Download N Go (DNG) products!  YAY!!  You may be wondering what a Download N Go might be.  DNG  is a unit study tied into lapbooking.  I have never done unit studies with my boys nor have I created a lapbook.  This is an awesome opportunity for me to try something new with my boys and also help others by giving my honest opinion of a product.  There are weekly topics for DNG which is absolutely wonderful.  You can spend as much time on the units as you want too!  My first review will be on the unit for Roller Coasters.  When my son found out he was like, "Cool mom!  Now we need to go to Kennywood so I can ride the Phantoms Revenge and write about it!"  I just have to love how this has gotten my child interested in learning.  :)  So I want to give some info for those of you who may not know what Unit Studies or Lapbooking are all about.  This is from the Download N Go website.

What is a Unit Study?

Download N Go™ studies are daily lessons and lapbook instructions woven together with eye-pleasing pages and interactivity based on exciting themes—ready for immediate use.

There are no expensive resources required; these units are  complete and very affordable.

Unit studies  are a wonderful way to learn. Many homeschoolers love this method because it works so well for simultaneously teaching multiple age levels. Each unit is designed to be one, very full week (five days) of hands-on learning adventures for kids from K- 4th grade. These studies consist of concise, topical material, reinforced by a variety of activities, including lapbooking.  The units explore exciting topics such as roller coasters, chocolate, seashells, Davy Crockett, and Africa.

What are some other benefits?

• Students learn more detailed information with an  in-depth study of a topic. Capturing children’s natural curiosity with many exciting themes to choose from opens up the path to deeper understanding and  better retention.

• Unit studies encourage the use of  imagination, creativity, and thinking skills. The basic subjects are covered while reinforcing other academic abilities.

• The topic studied is perceived as a  whole instead of bits and pieces scattered throughout their education. They are not likely to forget what they have learned and experienced!

• It’s a  fun way to learn and bring the whole family together!

Why is lapbooking a great choice for learning?

Lapbooking brings a lively, creative project appeal to this series in a simple, ready-to-use format.  Daily lapbooking templates are ready to just print and use.  Have you ever created a lapbook with your child?   These activities are made to be easy enough for a beginner, but "meaty” enough for children who have been lapbooking for a long time.

I can hardly wait to experience all of the different topics available through Download N Go.  I know this will add so much to our homeschool year.  I am also looking forward to sharing my reviews on the units with you all!

Here are the links to the Download N Go website, Store and all of the review team blogs.  I hope you find this information helpful.  :)

Download N Go Website

Download N Go Store

Download N Go Review Team Read More