2013

Dig-It Games: Mayan Mysteries {Crew Review}

July 15, 2013 by Dana

Dig-It Games brings to life the world of the Maya through it’s interactive game, Mayan Mysteries.

Mayan Mysteries allows children to become archaeologists in this fun game. Children learn about history through play.

Dig-It Games was founded by Suzi Wilczynski, professional archaeologist and former school teacher. She created Mayan Mysteries and Roman Town to bring to users a fun, interactive way to teach ancient civilizations with archaeology. Through 10 years of experience with digs in Greece and Israel, Ms. Wilczynski created a way to bring her experiences to students everywhere.

In Mayan Mysteries, players learn about the history of the Maya civilization and culture. Created for children in grades 5th through 9th, ages 11 and up, this game walks students through a world that would otherwise be forgotten if not for historical digs and documents. Throughout the game, users discover artifacts, decode ancient glyphs, explore the Maya calendar, visit ancient cities and much much more.

The game itself works as a puzzle with pieces leading to fit into each other in order to open up each level of play. Included activities test reading comprehension, geographical skills, spatial reasoning, math, science and history skills. Scientific and analytical thinking skills are practiced throughout gameplay too.

Users begin playing Mayan Mysteries by joining up with Team Q to find the mysterious thief, Landrone. This leads the user on a chase that spans over the great ancient Maya cities through over 300 expansive challenges and 12 hours of gameplay. On the journey, the user learns key facts, geographical data, finds countless artifacts, solves glyphs and more.

Users gain achievements for every quest completed, such as the Golden Trowel for collecting 8 artifacts or the Genius Decoder for solving all spirit companion Glyph riddles without using hints. These achievements are rewards for completion of the mysteries and lessons throughout the game.

There are tons of artifacts for the player to find throughout the game too. Through gameplay and digs, the player will find things like a ball player figurine, a ceramic flute, a flint knife, obsidian arrowheads, stingray spines and many more. The player will learn about each of these items through play as well, leading to an unforgettable online history lesson.

Landrone clues are also provided throughout the expedition to find Landrone. These clues are kept in Charlie’s journal and can be accessed at any time during gameplay.

Team Q is who you are helping to find Landrone and solve the Mayan Mysteries. Team Q consists of Dr. Alex Quinn, the extraordinary archaeologist, and leader of the expeditions. The twins, Fiona Quinn, future archaeologist extraordinaire and Charlie Quinn, future detective are also a viable part of Team Q. Along with your help they are sure to solve the mystery and find Landrone.

This fun, fun archaeology game is sure to bring hours of interactive lessons to life for users. I know we have enjoyed playing and learning more about each artifact and place visited via the game. My children, ages 10 and 12 have worked together to play through this game and enjoyed learning more.

You can purchase Mayan Mysteries from Dig-It games online for $21.99 for a one year single-user license. This gives you access to the full game for a year to play. Mayan Mysteries is also available as an App in the Apple Store or iTunes for $9.99.

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Strength {Epilepsy Awareness}

July 15, 2013 by Dana

My blog is my journal. I come here to write. I come here to put my thoughts into print.

It’s always been easier for me to write out how I feel, than to say how I feel. I wear my heart on my sleeve. Because of that, it is hard for me to be honest to others, though I am always an honest person.

I tend to take things to heart. Words wound me because they are so important to me. Feelings take control of me.

These things play a huge part in my blogging and my sharing about Epilepsy and my children. I write to journal our life but also to share life how it is, living with Epilepsy. It’s not easy but I do my best.

Life with Epilepsy is a long, winding journey. It surrounds us daily. It is our life. We know no other way than to live in the midst of this disorder.

Like with so many other disorders and diseases, if you live in the midst of the trial, you understand. If you don’t, you can only hope to comprehend what I am referring to. It’s one of those either you know or you don’t things and not everyone does.

I look at my children and I feel blessed, never saddened by this disorder. It scares me but I am thankful for each day I have among them. Their lives are not shortened because of this, as none of us have dates stamped upon us for our time to go. I could very well leave the Earth well before they do.

This isn’t a life I asked for but I live it. Someone commented to me the other day that since I have chosen not to have more children, I won’t have to worry about another child of mine having Epilepsy. This is true but I’d have given birth to 100 children regardless of that chance if I could have. The risk was well-worth the gift that my children’s lives are to me. I will teach them that the risk is worth it for their children too.

We have carried this for generations now. It will most likely carry for generations to come. I wear it with pride, though I wish everyday I didn’t have to. Having Epilepsy is nothing to be ashamed of. Having Epilepsy is nothing to be afraid of for God is with us every day. Having Epilepsy is just another part of our lives and I will continue to feel blessed by it, not torn apart by something I cannot control. Even when I am weak, I am strong.

~ Dana

Weak but Blessed in the Normalcy {Epilepsy Awareness}

July 11, 2013 by Dana

Everyone keeps telling me how strong I am. But I don’t feel strong. I feel weak and tired. I feel overwhelmed and unsure. I have no idea how to manage my life as it currently stands.

I’m well aware it will all fall into place. This isn’t my first time dealing with diagnoses and doubts. I have two daughters with Epilepsy and now it’s possible that my son has it too. I know from my life with my daughters that this is only a season and before long it will be routine and balanced again, as much as it can be when you live daily with Epilepsy.

This is normal for us. The ups and downs. The shifts and swings in life. It’s our daily normal.

My girls have never had a “normal” life. All they’ve known is Epilepsy. Winston, my oldest, briefly had normalcy. I cherish those days and I miss them greatly. I realize now I had hoped for the same with Jackson because surely my boys wouldn’t inherit this dreadful monster. I mourn the loss of that “normalcy”.

I remember being naive when Laycie was born. I remember thinking “ok I have my daughter with “E”. Laycie can’t have it too.” I remember enjoying those days with her thinking this monster would never rear it’s god-awful head. But then it did and here we are fighting daily.

I guess I thought the same with Jackson, though I wasn’t quite as naive this time. I have watched for it in him for months. As we passed the four month mark, I breathed a little easier. I let my guard down, even when I knew better.

When I got the call the other night, I just remember thinking “my heart knew it was coming” and “not my baby too”. But my instincts, my Momma heart, my sixth sense have all screamed at me to “be aware” for months.

Yesterday was Jackson’s neurology appointment. The doctor went through the usual questions. We answered them as best we could. He wonders if there is a possibility of Apnea. I tell him, “I don’t know”.

He asks me, “what would you like to do?” Well, doc, I’d like to run like hell and hide my baby. I’d like to have my baby back, normal and pretend this never happened. I’d love to pretend it’s all a dream or there is another cause. Previous history, strong family roots, gut instinct all tell me differently.

This nightmare will not just “go away”. Its here and it’s big as night and day. I chose to hold off on medicating Jackson. I chose to agree to have an EKG for him to check for Apnea and an EEG to check for seizure activity. I do not want medicines to prevent that possible activity from showing up, even though we know it may not anyways. It doesn’t always show for me or my girls when have had EEG testing in the past. I do want the chance to find out.

I’m at war with praying right now. I pray he never has another seizure episode and at the same time, I pray it would just happen and get it over with. Then I’d know what’s wrong with my baby and I wouldn’t sit in fear of him stopping breathing never to regain consciousness again. I’d know. We’d be able to treat him. And life would move forward as “normal” as we could get.

Jackson is back to normal for him. He’s smiling and cute as a button. He’s trying to crawl, learning new words every day and working hard with his sign language. It’s as if nothing ever happened which makes me feel even more like it was a dream even though I know it wasn’t.

I feel so weak and tired from all of this and I know that’s ok! I don’t have to be strong but I have to get through it. My strength comes from God, from Life, from my children. I see them daily and know I must face the days ahead for them, even when I want to hide from it all. Hiding won’t get a diagnoses or treatment for my son.

This is life. This is the raw emotion of a Momma who is fighting every day to provide a normal life for her children who didn’t ask to battle a disorder called Epilepsy that generations have carried and passed on. This is our daily life and our “normal” and I chose to be blessed by it even when I’m at my weakest.

And So Jackson’s Journey Begins {Epilepsy Awareness}

July 8, 2013 by Dana

Everyone keeps asking me how I am today and at this very moment all I want to do is SCREAM.

Honestly, just scream and let it all out.

I have four beautiful, awesome, amazing children who I love to pieces. I’m so thankful to have every one of them. Thankful for the impact they make on my life. Thankful to have the blessing of them to love and cherish daily.

Yesterday, I was the Momma of two children with Epilepsy. In the blink of an eye, I became the Momma of three children with Epilepsy. Three out of four of my babies carry a gene that has caused their brains to shut down in a convulsion.

I sit here letting that sink in. I’m in shock. I’m lost. I don’t even know how to process that information at this time.

For 10 months, I’ve watched Jackson closely for any signs of seizure. I began to breath a little easier as we passed the 4 month mark when his sisters began their journey with Epilepsy. The older he became the easier I began to breath.

Last night, Jackson had his first seizure. It happened around 8 pm while I was out of town. He was with his Grandma. She said she changed his diaper and suddenly he rolled to his side in a ball. His tongue curled, his eyes rolled into the back of his head and his little body went limp as he stopped breathing and turned blue. She said it only lasted a minute. He was unresponsive afterwards, then came to again. After a few minutes he went completely limp again.

I rushed to the hospital as fast as I could. I was told that as soon as he was brought into the ER, he was rushed back and the nurse and staff all agreed it was a seizure without doubt.

When I arrived at the hospital, Jackson was crawling across the hospital bed like nothing had happened. He had his right arm wrapped into a bandage with an IV but he was smiling and happy as if nothing had gone on. He amazes me. All my children do.

We were sent home with the diagnoses of a seizure and the advice to follow up with our Pediatrician and our Pediatric Neurology team which we have today. His appointment with his Pediatrician was at 1:30 pm today and went wonderfully. He weighs 17.2 lbs and is 29inches long. They immediately called into MUSC Pediatric Neurology and we had a scheduled appointment before we left today.

So far, Jackson continues to do well, though he’s extremely sleepy today. We are letting him play, eat and rest as he pleases. The ER doctors and Pediatrician did not prescribe medications for him simply because they wish to leave that up to the neurologist to do.

I’m feeling numb in so many ways. I want to scream and yet I feel so blessed to have been giving three children with this disorder to care for and love. Does God really think I am capable of handling such a heavy task as this is? He must because it’s here and there’s no one else to do it but their Momma.

I keep thinking that and I keeping thinking he must think me a Saint, a person of strength. But I surely am not feeling that way even though my mustard seed of faith tells me that He is with me and He will carry me and my babies through this. Weak and loved I am today and always. Weak and loved by God himself.

IEW: Teaching The Classics {Crew Review}

July 8, 2013 by Dana

Teaching The Classics DVD Seminar and Workbook from the Institute for Excellence in Writing is a full curriculum designed to help the user learn how to learn best from classic reading materials. Providing a literature style that brings literature understanding to everyone, Teaching The Classics makes understanding literature elements easy. This curriculum is sure to help everyone from teacher to student.

Teaching the Classics uses the Socratic approach to learning. Through provision of short classical materials this DVD seminar breaks down literature elements of plot, theme, character, conflict and more. This program begins with an explanation about Literature, taking the student all the way through each of the elements.

Lesson 1 prepares the student to analyze literature providing samples of some of the greatest authors known. It begins explaining the structure of the Five Elements of Fiction. It also discusses literary styles in writing. The Socratic Method is also taught and thoroughly discusses right away through this lesson.

Following lessons teach and break down Plot and Conflict, Setting, Character, Theme, and more. Each of these topics are backed up with short story models, charts explaining the information learned, and questions to provide a thorough understanding of the materials taught. The DVD seminars work with the materials to help the educator/student better understand the lessons throughout the book.

I personally used this curriculum to learn more about using the classics in our daily education. I try to use classics with my children because I feel they are rich in educational content and truly heartwarming books. I want my children to learn to enjoy classical books as much as I do. Teaching the Classics has helped me to provide a better education of the classics for my children in working as a reminder of the important elements I need to teach through the process of teaching them about the classics. This program would be excellent for an advance middle school or a high school student to work through on their own. It’s also excellent for a parent, like me, who needs that little extra reminder of these important elements in writing.

Teaching the Classics DVD Seminar and Workbook by Adam and Missy Andrews is available from the Institute for Excellence in Writing for $89. This program was written for parents of children of any age and for High School aged students. It can be purchased through the Institute for Excellence in Writing.

Moving Beyond The Page {Crew Review}

July 1, 2013 by Dana

When I signed up to review Moving Beyond the Page, I thought it was just going to be the usual, boring old kind of curriculum where the student reads the book and completes the worksheets involved. I had no idea that Moving Beyond the Page was going to be so awesome, so amazing, so wonderful! From the moment, you open the box the package arrives in, the excitement begins and does not stop.

Our curriculum package arrived in the average cardboard box, once again leading me to believe it was nothing more than a box of books. But upon opening the box, my opinion quickly changed. Inside the box was everything needed to learn about the subjects we had chosen to learn, except for common items like pencils and paper.

The package I chose to review from Moving Beyond the Page was something we could easily relate to our hometown in Georgetown, SC and our family interests. I chose to do a Literature and Science/History combination, choosing American Tall Tales and Legends for our Literature portion and Colonization and Revolution for our Science/History portion.

American Tall Tales and Legends interested me because these were my personal favorites to learn about when I was a child, as well as Josh’s. It is often something we find ourselves discussing and I had been looking for a way to introduce more of these wonderful stories and legends to our children in our homeschooling lessons. As usual, God provided a way to make this happen through our Moving Beyond the Page review.

I’ve also been looking for ways to get my children involved more in our local history. There’s no better way then to take them straight back to the foundation of our town, by teaching them more about how our area was colonized and the Revolutionary War that led to our nations founding. Being able to take these ideas even further by showing them things that relate to our readings makes it even better.

Back to our curriculum package. Upon opening our box, I discovered our Colonization and Revolution lesson book. This spiral bound book contains everything needed to complete the Science/History portion of our program. The box also contained the books we needed to read to learn more about our lessons. The New Americans: Colonial Times 1620-1689, The American Revolution for Kids: A History with 21 Activities and You Wouldn’t Want To Be An American Colonist!: A Settlement You’d Rather Not Start were all included to use with our Colonization and Revolution study.

Our lesson book for American Tall Tales and Legends was available for use online through the Moving Beyond the Page website. This program allowed me to read through the guidebook straight from the website and print copies of the activity pages needed to complete our lessons. This was wonderful since it allowed me to print copies of lesson activities for each child, as needed. In the box for this part of our lessons, I received an American Tall Tales reader and Cut From The Same Cloth: American Women of Myth, Legend, and Tall Tale. Both these books came together to provide the wonderful stories needed to teach my children about the legends and tales of the United States.

One additional item came in the box for use with our curriculum. A kit to create our own dream catcher was provided as an activity to be used with our Moving Beyond the Page American Tall Tales and Legends package. This was a fun addition to the program and something that the kids really enjoyed creating.

The online version of our American Tall Tales and Legends lesson book was a bit different than our printed version of our Colonization and Revolution lesson book. The printed version laid out how to use our Moving Beyond the Page lessons in the front of our book, then provided a list of required books and materials for the unit study by lesson. This made getting everything together very easy.

Following the materials list is a list of vocabulary taught throughout the unit, listing words and definitions for each new vocabulary word. A Unit Review sheet follows the vocabulary list, allowing for a look ahead at each lesson taught through the unit.

Lessons themselves are broken down, beginning with a Getting Started section that shares stuff you will need for the lesson, ideas to keep in mind during the lessons and things to know about the lessons. A list of questions for the lesson is provided next, followed by lesson activities to complete. Activities are simple but thorough and get the child thinking about things they have learned, allowing them to absorb the lessons, not just hear them.

Each lesson in a unit builds in preparing the student for a final project to be completed at the end of the unit study. The students are asked to complete five of the eight final project suggestions for the study but could do more or less depending upon your schedule. Some of the projects will require assistance and supervision from the parent to complete.

Much like the print lesson book for Colonization and Revolution, the online lesson book for American Tall Tales and Legends provides an intro to the lesson, complete with lists of materials needed for each lesson. This is followed with the activities for each lesson, which are to be completed by the student. Rounding out the end of the lesson is a conclusion that provides additional activities for student completion, like reviewing stories and vocabulary discussed in the section and the sections of the region being discussed at the time. Just like the print addition, the end of the unit wraps up with a final project for the student to complete.

A nice addition of the online lesson book is that there is an Idea Share section that allows users to go in and add their personal ideas for the unit. This allows others to share things that have worked for them in aiding to provide projects to make students break free from paper learning and expand to projects in relation to the lessons being learned. Each lesson has one of these sections to provide additional ideas for activities.

These units are amazingly thorough and so well prepared. It did not take a lot of work on my part to put them together and the company does provide everything possibly needed for studying the units, included the necessary books for completion. The only I did not receive for my units was the Timeline of American History but this was not something that I had to have for my unit though it would be a great addition if I were to purchase a full curriculum package from Moving Beyond the Page.

Moving Beyond the Page provides unit studies in full year curriculum packages or in various individual units to study, like was provided for our Schoolhouse Reviews. They provide studies to be used with children beginning with ages 4-5 up through ages 12-14. Individual units can be mixed and matched to meet interests and needs of the child. Individual units do include suggestions for unit matches in the description. The two units I chose for review were not a suggested match but they worked well together for our needs.

Moving Beyond the Page’s American Tall Tales and Legends Literature Unit is available in print form or as an online version. It is written to be used with students ages 9-11 and is Relationships: Unit 3 of the full curriculum package for this age group. Books needed to complete this unit are included in the unit package. The print version of this package costs $33.47 while the online version costs $29.41. Once again, this includes all books needed to complete the study.

Moving Beyond the Page’s Colonization and Revolution Science/History study is also available in print or an online version. It, too, is written to be used with students 9-11 and is Discovery and Survival: Unit 1 of the full curriculum package for this age group. The print version of this unit costs $51.88 and the online version costs $47.82. The price of this unit also includes all necessary books to complete the study.

This was a review that my children and I truly loved. We will be purchasing more Moving Beyond the Page curriculum very soon and look forward to learning more from this company.