Can anyone compare History Pockets to Homeschool in the Woods' Time Travelers CDs...

[BizyPenguin]

Please give your opinion of each if you can and tell which you liked better and why. TIA!

[nestof3]

I know you said you want someone to compare the two, but I just wanted to say that while I enjoy the history pockets, I find their size so cumbersome, I know you can shrink everything down when photocopying, but that's kind of a pain. I love things in a size to fit on a folded file folder, like lapbooks. :D

[eight_gregorys]

I can't speak for the HITW materials because we haven't used them. We have used the History Pockets and they are ok. My daughter found them to be busy work and got bored with them quickly. There isn't really information for the student to contribute with History Pockets just activities to cut and paste. My daughter prefers lapbooking.

Hope this helps,

Andrea

[PameLA in VA]

We used Ancient Civilizations HP 4 years ago and some of the Explorers HP last year. While there were some interesting projects, they were all color and cut-and-paste. Each project had background information, but it was not extensive and had few if any references. I, too, did not like the construction paper format because it did not hold up well after a while. When we did Explorers, we just put the projects we completed onto cardstock pages that were part of our notebook.

On the other hand, the TT CDs are chock full of a variety of activities ranging from color/cut-and-paste items, maps, hands on crafts and projects, cooking, newspaper writing, timelines, copywork, a lapbook, and more. There are good lesson pages to introduce the topic and lots of additional references listed. You print everything from the CD and the directions are very specific about whether to use paper or cardstock or specific colors, or whatever. For just under $30, it's a great bargain.

Blessings,
PameLA in VA

[BizyPenguin]

We used Ancient Civilizations HP 4 years ago and some of the Explorers HP last year. While there were some interesting projects, they were all color and cut-and-paste. Each project had background information, but it was not extensive and had few if any references. I, too, did not like the construction paper format because it did not hold up well after a while. When we did Explorers, we just put the projects we completed onto cardstock pages that were part of our notebook.

On the other hand, the TT CDs are chock full of a variety of activities ranging from color/cut-and-paste items, maps, hands on crafts and projects, cooking, newspaper writing, timelines, copywork, a lapbook, and more. There are good lesson pages to introduce the topic and lots of additional references listed. You print everything from the CD and the directions are very specific about whether to use paper or cardstock or specific colors, or whatever. For just under $30, it's a great bargain.

Blessings,
PameLA in VA

I've heard it's a lot of work printing all of the stuff from the CD. What's your opinion about this?

[Kathleen in VA]

...offers a product that appears to be all (or most, anyway) of the CD's printable matter already printed:

Time Travelers Student Pack AC1-A04 $59
This 200+ page student pack includes a set of most of the projects in the Time Travelers CDs, copied onto plain paper, acetate, cardstock or other papers. You can print these projects yourself directly from the CD, but this saves you a lot of time, effort and costly supplies. There are about 200 pages worth of activities, card stock models to make, games to assemble and play and more. You’ll need one per student.


Here is the website:


http://www.winterpromise.com/all_american_1.html


HTH,

Kathleen in VA
www.homeschoolblogger.com/lavendersblue

[BizyPenguin]

...offers a product that appears to be all (or most, anyway) of the CD's printable matter already printed:

Time Travelers Student Pack AC1-A04 $59
This 200+ page student pack includes a set of most of the projects in the Time Travelers CDs, copied onto plain paper, acetate, cardstock or other papers. You can print these projects yourself directly from the CD, but this saves you a lot of time, effort and costly supplies. There are about 200 pages worth of activities, card stock models to make, games to assemble and play and more. You’ll need one per student.


Here is the website:


http://www.winterpromise.com/all_american_1.html


HTH,

Kathleen in VA
www.homeschoolblogger.com/lavendersblue


And I considered this resource, but it's not cheap, plus I'm wondering if it's worth it if you don't do all of the projects. I'm on the fence. Thanks, though!

[Baseballmom]

IMHO, there is no comparison. TT is much more comprehensive. On the other hand, they would supplement each other well.
Dorothy

[BizyPenguin]

IMHO, there is no comparison. TT is much more comprehensive. On the other hand, they would supplement each other well.
Dorothy

If so, please review it for me. TIA!

[mamato4]

It has more choices, more interesting things to do. But I think a student who is second grade and under might find it overwhelming. History Pockets would fit better for younger children.

Yes, it is tedious to print out the CD for the Time Traveler. But I did find that popping in a disc to print out is easier than having to scan and print out a copy. (Of course, if you have a copier at home, this is not a problem.)

Blessings,
Anna

[Ann in IA]

I agree with the above that it might be too much or overwhelming for a 2nd grader. I think they are stated to be geared to 4th grade and up? At least the Explorers one is.
There might be things they can do at a younger age but they'll get a lot more out of it when they are older.

[PameLA in VA]

nt

[BethInNH]

We tried the History pockets a couple years ago. The kids and I agreed that it was too much cut and paste. Definitely had a busywork feel to it.
We are currently doing TT Explorers. We love it. Lots of different activities to do- cooking, mapwork, lapbooking, copywork, building a cardboard ship, making a captains log. I think the activities really flow together nicely too (if you know what I mean- they don't feel weird). There's really something for every kind of learner too.
Printing hasn't been too bad. I printed the teachers info first, and then printed the lessons one week at a time.
Hope that helps

[BizyPenguin]

nt

[Baseballmom]

If so, please review it for me. TIA!

Sorry, I just saw this now. The Time Travelers cd has more variety. for example the one we are doing right now is the Revolution CD. Some examples of projects are a mini- pie book about the ACTS , a small map of Paul Reveres ride with an overlay, a map of the battles, three games, one of which showed the kids how the Americans were taxed unfairly by the British. It included beautiful colored money from the time period. The kids want to play this game over and over again. Other projects include a painted soldier statue, a soldier's bag, a document pocket to hold important documents of the time. Plus much more. We did these projects with a young second grader to a seventh grader. The second grader needed more help, but did very well, she was not overwhelmed at all. she had a hard time with one of the games, just because it was more of a quiz with very difficult questions. Most of the paper projects are put into a beautiful lapbook at the end. I think this is a great addition to any curriculum.

HTH,
Dorothy

[Academy of Jedi Arts]

I have a question to piggyback here also, if no one minds-

I had not heard of Time Travelers until coming to this board, so I know little of it. We are weekly churchgoers, but prefer secular curriculum for the most part. Will this work for us?

I have come to the realization that since I like history so much, I will never find a history textbook I like:glare:. So, I'm gonna to do my own thing this year and plan to do really crazy stuff like taking at least 6 months just to cover from the explorers to the colonial period.

We are doing some literature pockets for the first time this year, and the kiddo really likes them. I have also been looking at some interesting resources from Scholastic, such as Interactive Maps, Hands on History, etc.

Does anyone know of some other good resources along these same lines to share?

[Lucky Mom]

After reading this discussion, I cancelled my History Pocket order, and ordered the TT CD. I can't wait to get it!

Lisa

[Kathleen in VA]

I have a question to piggyback here also, if no one minds-

I had not heard of Time Travelers until coming to this board, so I know little of it. We are weekly churchgoers, but prefer secular curriculum for the most part. Will this work for us?

I have come to the realization that since I like history so much, I will never find a history textbook I like:glare:. So, I'm gonna to do my own thing this year and plan to do really crazy stuff like taking at least 6 months just to cover from the explorers to the colonial period.

We are doing some literature pockets for the first time this year, and the kiddo really likes them. I have also been looking at some interesting resources from Scholastic, such as Interactive Maps, Hands on History, etc.

Does anyone know of some other good resources along these same lines to share?

I never really noticed it before you asked this question, but most of what you find on the TT CDs are quite neutral religion-wise. The exception is the penmanship copywork. On the Colonial CD are George Washington's Rules of Civility and Bible verses. That is the only place I've encountered any reference to religion - they are mostly hands-on type activities related to daily living.

I just checked the penmanship exercises in the American Revolution CD and they are quotes by the Founding Fathers. Of course, many of those made references to faith in Christ, believing the Bible and trusting God, so you do see that.

I should add that even if you did not use the penmanship activities (we do not), there is enough on these little CDs to keep you quite busy and happy. I love mine!

HTH,

Kathleen in VA
www.homeschoolblogger.com/lavendersblue (http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/lavendersblue)

[Academy of Jedi Arts]

Sounds right up our alley! Thank you, Kathleen!

[BizyPenguin]

TT has gotten such excellent reviews, here and on HSR, that I've decided to use it...In fact, I've decided on going with American Crossings history program from Winter Promise which incorporates the text and activities from all 4 TT CDs. I had been worried about the hands-on activities being too much, but after much thought and prayer, I've come to the realization that this program should be a very good fit for my kinesthetic, ADHDer. I'm excited to have finally decided on a history program and choosing one that uses the TT CDs is even more exciting! I appreciate all of your input on this thread.

[Baseballmom]

TT has gotten such excellent reviews, here and on HSR, that I've decided to use it...In fact, I've decided on going with American Crossings history program from Winter Promise which incorporates the text and activities from all 4 TT CDs. I had been worried about the hands-on activities being too much, but after much thought and prayer, I've come to the realization that this program should be a very good fit for my kinesthetic, ADHDer. I'm excited to have finally decided on a history program and choosing one that uses the TT CDs is even more exciting! I appreciate all of your input on this thread.

I am also going with Winterpromise AS2 this year. I have done TOG for three years. But after Y2 I need a little break. So we are trying WP for one year. I think it will be fun. I have already received all my books and I have been showing everyone I know.
Dorothy

[BizyPenguin]

I am also going with Winterpromise AS2 this year. I have done TOG for three years. But after Y2 I need a little break. So we are trying WP for one year. I think it will be fun. I have already received all my books and I have been showing everyone I know.
Dorothy

I look forward to hearing how you like WP next term! I'm hopeful that we're going to really enjoy it too.