TOS Review: Dive Into Your Imagination - What Makes a Fish a Fish?

Annie Crawley is an amazing photographer, diver and sailor that wants to bring her fascination and knowledge of the ocean and all its amazing creatures to you and your student. Dive Into Your Imagination is her company that has made that dream a reality. Her first three videos are What Makes a Fish a Fish?, Who Lives in the Sea? and Dive into Diversity. In the video we reviewed, What Makes a Fish a Fish? ($19.95), "Ocean Annie" takes you on an underwater tour and explains to you the reasons ocean life are classified the way they are.





Annie has also compiled a very thorough set of lesson plans for you to use with the video. The guides are available as a printed version for $299 (for the whole set of them) or as individual PDFs for $69.95. They consist of crossword puzzles, vocabulary lists, coloring sheets, and much, much more.

The boys really enjoyed the 30-minute video. The music, the narration and the information provided was fun and inviting for all my boys (ages 4 to 10); it kept all of their attention. We love ocean and nature documentaries, and we watch a tone of them. So I was careful to ask them if they had learned anything new. They each came up with at least one new animal or fact about an anmimal that they learned in the video.

While I looked through the pdf for our video, I chose not to use it...the sheets were very nicely put together, but I thought there was just way too much to use with a 30-minute video for a homeschool family. I looked at this as a supplement to our science curriculum, not a complete year's assignment. And I just wouldn't pay $90 for a supplemental unit study - especially for a pdf where I still have to print off everything on my own time, with my own paper and ink.. The material really is great, but the price is just way out of our budget range. So while I liked the video very much, I wouldn't recommend the pdf. Possibly for a classroom setting, but not for a homeschool family.

**Don't just take my word for it! Check out some of my fellow TOS Crew Members' reviews HERE.

***Disclaimer: I received this product via TOS Homeschool Crew in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review; all opinions stated are mine or my children's.

TOS Review: Bright Ideas Press

Bright Ideas Press is a multi-age curriculum that will fit your hectic lifestyle by being able to teach one subject to varying ages of children at one time. Christian Kids Explore Physics ($39.95) introduces the student(s) to fundamentals of physics: terminology, concepts and hands-on activities engage the student while reminding them of Who created it all. Here is what BIP had to say on their website:

"The universe that we live in is the result of God’s thoughtful design and careful building. Physics gives us a glimpse into the materials, laws, and structures of that universe. Behold the wonders of creation with this series of 30 easy-to-understand lessons for grades 4-8. Each lesson helps develop an understanding of matter and energy and the rules they follow. Exploring physics is an exciting adventure!"



The resource cd is an excellent supplement to the program. With it, you have Daily Lesson Plans, Materials Lists, Bonus Literature Study Guide, and All Reproducibles, such as:
•Coloring Pages
•Unit Reviews
•Follow-Up Questions for each lesson
•Activity Charts

The book alone is a great value with excellent material. But the Bonus cd makes this curriculum a bargain you just don't want to miss out on. If you are planning on introducing Physics to your students in the near future, Christian Kids Explore Physics is what you want to use.

**Don't just take my word for it! Check out some of my fellow TOS Crew Members' reviews HERE.

***Disclaimer: I received this product via TOS Homeschool Crew in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review; all opinions stated are mine or my children's.

TOS Review: AIMS

AIMS Education Foundation (Activities Integrating Math and Science) is a non-profit educational foundation created by 80 educators that believed that students could learn more about math and science if they were engaged in the process. They have developed several curriculum that gives students hands-on experience, making the information stay with them much longer. We reviewed From Head to Toe ($24.95).



So far, the kids have learned about how the brain, heart, lung and respiratory system work individually and as a unit. We got to make a 2-chamber heart model and a single lung model. The kids loved it, and they really learned a lot. I like the way the the kids are leading the process. They put together a rubber band book that gives them their reading assignment. Then they have the instructions for the project. You are there to guide and assist, but the kids are in charge - they love it!

One thing that I wasn't aware of until it was too late was that some of the materials for the projects needed to be purchased from AIMS beforehand. So unless you have a set of forceps lying around, you should probably check your lists 2 weeks ahead of time! ;) Some of the materials are reasonable, but others are kind of pricey. Unfortunately, if you are in a bind and need the materials quickly, you have to dish it out! It would have been nice if there was a kit you could buy at the time you buy the book that has all the hard to find materials assembled for you.

AIMS is a great resource for families who want a hands-on, child-led experience in math or science. They are definitely worth your time to look at!

**Don't just take my word for it! Check out some of my fellow TOS Crew Members' reviews HERE.

***Disclaimer: I received this product via TOS Homeschool Crew in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review; all opinions stated are mine or my children's.