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Roman Roads Media: Dave Raymond’s American History Part 1 {Crew Review}

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For this review we used Dave Raymond’s American History 1 DVD set which are lessons for home.  This program is for grades 6 and up.  This curriculum sells for $75 through Roman Roads Media.
Until this review, I had never heard of Roman Roads Media or Dave Raymond.  Both the company and Mr. Raymond were completely new to me so I didn’t really know what to expect.  I have been pleasantly surprised by Dave Raymond’s American History 1.
Dave Raymond’s American History 1 is an 8 DVD disc set containing 26 lessons with 4 projects to be completed while using this program.  Also included in this multimedia disc are Teacher’s Guides and Student Readers which help to complete the program’s lessons.  These are found in files stored on Discs 1 and 5 and are accessible by computer.
I chose to review this DVD using the computer.  I found that it was a little tricky to get the program to work at first.  I had trouble accessing the menu through the DVD player I was using.  Once I figured that out, we were good to go.
The program begins with an Orientation in which Dave Raymond tells viewers what is expected by using the curriculum, how to take notes, and other specifics to using this program.  I must admit, though this part was extremely important, it was also extremely boring to view.  I was happy just to get through it.
Lesson 2 jumps right into to the beginnings of History.  The program is Biblical based and does discuss parts of the Bible throughout.  I found this nice since I am always looking to relate the Bible into our daily curriculum.
Dave Raymond teaches every lesson on these DVD’s.  Viewing them reminded me of sitting in my US History class in High School.  He was quite animated and thorough in the information provided per lesson being taught.  He never strays from the subject and uses speech to help create visuals for students using the program.
Each video also shows photos related to the era of time being covered and the topic being discussed throughout the video.  This was a so-so aspect to me as I like videos that really bring places to life for my children.  It wasn’t quite what I was expecting but it worked well for the program.
Overall, this program is like an online course with an instructor talking you through the lessons.  You check in for each lesson and complete the tasks he directs you through.  You are expected to take notes and also keep a portfolio as you work through the program.
Dave Raymond’s American History 1 would be amazing for students who like that classroom feel.  It’s also great for students learning to note-take in lessons and complete school lessons in preparation for a college classroom.  I can see structured students in grades 6 and up using this.  I found it challenging and fun to use, a definite review and reminder of American History for me.
My children were honestly bored with this program but I think in time it will be a great asset for our family to use.  I like they get to see a structured lesson that allows note-taking as this is not at all what we do normally in our homeschooling classroom.  The videos are packed with wonderful information about American History though and this was extremely beneficial to our learning at home.  Also, important words and phrases are written directly onto the video section where they are being discussed and I loved that because it allowed the kids to really see those words, helping to promote reading and recognition of these important words and phrases from History.  Really great stuff in my opinion.

I will be continuing to use this program for myself at this time.  I really enjoyed the videos and lessons personally though my children aren’t quite ready for this program.  I can see us definitely using it in the future for schoolwork.  I personally found the review of American History refreshing and it has helped me remember important details to cover with my children as I teach them American History in the future.

This curriculum retails for $75 for the full set of Dave Raymond’s American History 1 DVD program.  It can be purchased through Roman Roads Media and would be a great addition to any homeschool wanting to learn more about American History and looking for a more structured curriculum to use.  It is all on DVD but a Teacher’s Guide and Student Reader are included and can be accessed from the disc through the computer.
You can also find Roman Roads Media online in the following places:

To read more reviews of Roman Roads Media products, please click on the banner below!

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Crew Disclaimer

French Essentials {Crew Review}

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Looking for a quality French program to use at home?  Need something simple but thorough to teach French to your children?  Planning a trip to France and need to learn the language?  Look no further than French Essentials.
French Essentials was created to be an adaptable French language program.  Designed to be used with children in grades 2 and up, this program is perfect for everyone!  French Essentials is a complete French program that is easy to use.
The website states that if a student completes one module per year beginning in Grade 3, they will complete the course during their senior year.  So as you can tell, this program is extremely adaptable and lessons can be completed as needed by you and your child.  Lessons for younger students will, of course, take more time than those for older students and younger students will require more parental assistance than the older students will need.
French Essentials is designed to be used both on and off line with students.  Modules are expected to be downloaded to print off the worksheets necessary for the lessons.  There are currently 5 modules.  Module 1 contains 20 lessons, the student workbook, keys and a module checklist.  Module 2 contains 25 lessons, workbook, keys and checklist as well.  Module 3 contains 15 lessons along with the workbook, keys and checklist.  Module 3 also includes a Pronunciation Workout as well.  Module 4 contains 16 lessons, the student workbook, keys, checklist, Pronunciation Workout and also includes Video Scripts to use.  Module 5 contains 15 lessons.  The first 5 lessons contain the lesson workbook and key to use while learning.
The lessons begin with the pronunciation of the French Alphabet and moves forward from there.  Lessons are thorough but not too intense, packing just the right amount of learning within them.  Each lesson contains several exercises to complete and can be done in a day or more as needed.  They are completely adjustable to your personal schedule.
Each module includes links to everything that is needed within the lesson.  So sounds play right as you need them within the program simply by clicking on the microphones to activate them.  The sound bites are created by French speakers so the correct pronunciation is best learned.  Online exercises can also be reached by logging into your account online to connect to the necessary module per lesson.
There are also links to learn about the French culture included with the lesson plan.  These are available by clicking on “culture” in the Student Area.  These extra little tidbits bring to life the lessons you are learning as your work through the program.  They are a fun bonus to help your child better connect with the French culture.
We were able to fit this program in as needed during our days.  When we found an extra moment, we worked on a module.  Since the modules were printable, I simply printed out what I needed to and use the kids computers to complete the sounds and videos that went along with the lessons.  All three children worked together on these lessons with ease.  This was a refresher course for me as I took two years of French Foreign Language as a course in High School but I desperately needed the brush up!
French Essentials can be purchased in individual modules or as a full set, your choice.  Each individual module costs $69.95 and each purchase is available for 90 days.  The French Essentials full package for the year can be purchased for $149.95.  This includes the lesson downloads, sound bites and videos used during the lessons.
To read more reviews of French Essentials, please click on the banner below!

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E-mealz.com {Crew Review}

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E-Mealz.com is an online website that provides users with a full menu to use for every week of the month.  This website provides the user with tons of store options, as well as dietary options to choose from.  Once the user has chosen a store they are provided with a plan to use for that week along with a shopping list to make the menu easy to use.  Simply print, shop and then follow the recipe directions each night of the week.  Then cook and enjoy!

E-Mealz Website

For this review, I chose to use the Walmart Family Meal Plan since we mostly shop there.  Other available stores are Aldi’s, Kroger, Publix, Ralph’s, and Any Store.  Other options are Low Carb, Gluten Free, Low Fat, Vegetarian, and Portion Control.  You can also choose meal plans for only 2 people.

Meal Plan Options

Once I chose my meal plan, I printed out my menus for two weeks, complete with the shopping list and headed out to Walmart. I purchased my items with ease following the detailed list, though I did spend more than the suggested price provided by E-Mealz but I also bought a few things that we did not have on hand that many people normally keep.  After checking out with the cashier we headed home with all the necessary ingredients for two weeks of meals.

The Walmart Meal Plan that I chose!
My personal shopping list for the Walmart Plan!

Following the meal plan was not hard to do.  I was able to take out the menu sheet each day, which I kept in my weekly notebook so it was readily available, and pull out what I needed for that day’s meal then proceed to prepare it quickly and efficiently.  Most of the meals were really enjoyable but not all were hits.  Still it was nice to have something different from our normal meal plan for dinner. 

I commited to using the E-Mealz website for planning for two weeks and enjoyed it though I wasn’t thrilled with the final cost of using it for those two weeks (cost of grocery items).  I have my own style of planning that really works best for us and took me quite some time to figure out.  But I have been able to save the available E-Mealz menu plans for the past few weeks and I plan to use them to create menus that do work for our family in the future.  Some of the recipes were really simple and good so we will definitely be adding those into our own family recipes.

I believe that E-Mealz would be perfect for families who are extremely busy or who work daily.  A homeschooling parent who is having a hard time staying on top of meals would also enjoy using this planner.  The meals are quick and easy to make.  The plans are thorough requiring almost no prep for the planner using them.  You simply print and go shop, then come home and cook.  Easy peasy.

You can purchase a 3 month subscription to E-Mealz.com for $15 through their website.  At the time of subscription you can choose the plan that works best for you.  You may switch this menu once during your 3 month subscription to try out a different plan with a different list of recipes.  Recipes change weekly and a full list of ingredients are always available with your purchased PDF of meals.  This website also works on iPad.

For more reviews of E-Mealz.com you can visit the TOS Review Crew blog! 

Disclaimer – The TOS Review Crew and E-Mealz.com provided Luv’N Lambert Life with a 3 month subscription to E-Mealz.com in exchange for my honest opinion of this program. 


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