first-grade work and found some of the
questions (such as those within the Big
Words sections) to be a bit challenging
for her, but others, such as the Review
Mammals, were perfect.
I used these DVDs as an introduction to animals with my daughter, who
functions at a first-grade level. At first
she said they were “boring.” These videos are not entertainment videos. The
Play All menu choice was a bit overwhelming for her. When we watched
only the general introduction/descrip-tion part of Play All, and then went
back to the menu to choose specific
animals, she was much happier. I love
that you can access the mammals, insects, or birds individually, allowing a
student to choose the order. I think her
favorite of the three DVDs is the one
about mammals. That is the one she requests most often.
I recommend these DVDs as a supplement to any animal study. Upper elementary students could keep a science
vocabulary notebook and could use
the Review sections for notebooking
ideas. My 13-year-old and my 15-year-
old enjoyed watching the creature clips
with my first-grade daughter. I found
myself fascinated with the beautiful video footage, and I have to admit
that I learned some new things about
mammals, insects, and birds. We’ll be
continuing to use these as part of my
first-grader’s science program.
—Product review by Tess Hamre,
Veteran on the Schoolhouse Review Crew
Classical Conversations
www.classicalconversations.com
910.673.0100
It is with distinct pleasure that I share
my experience with Classical Conver-
sations; however, to call it a curricu-
lum would not capture the essence of
what Classical Conversations (CC)
is about. To use their own descrip-
tion, CC is a mission, a model, and a
method. The mission is to know God
and make Him known. As a model,
CC combines classical education and
a Christian worldview. As a method,
CC creates communities that support
parents in implementing curriculum
in their own homes, i.e., parents sup-
porting other parents. Therefore, the
www.TheHomeschoolMagazine.com
curriculum I discuss is intended to be
used within a CC community in order
to reap the benefits of the curriculum
and the program to their fullest. CC
has program and curriculum offer-
ings for children aged pre-kindergar-
ten to high school. Communities also
work together to provide childcare for
younger siblings.
• Classical Acts and Facts History
Cards: All four sets—Ancient, Medieval, New World, Modern World
($22 per set): These cards are gorgeous! There are 172 cards. The plan
is to focus on seven historical event
cards each of twenty-three weeks.
The remaining eleven cards list the
U.S. Presidents. The front of the card
contains a beautiful piece of artwork
or a photograph to help connect the
event to be remembered with the
