As most of you know, I left behind my career as an elementary music teacher to homeschool my three little ones. If the past week is any indication of the amount of learning and fun our family is going to have, I am in educator heaven! Thank you Amanda Bennett and Download N Go for an exciting, innovative, thrill-ride each and everyday in my living room.
I have the privilege to serve on the DNG Review Team, and therefore, was provided the
Roller Coasters DNG, without charge, for the purpose of writing an honest review. Download N Go units are designed to be a week in length and are targeted for students in grades K-4. Each Download N Go is filled with colorful graphics, engaging activities, video links, notebook pages, lapbook components, and lists of additional/supplemental resources. Honestly, I believe there is enough information provided to expand the study well past a week.
Below is an overview of the study as well as a peek at some of the pages included:
Day 1: What Is a Roller Coaster?
Day 2: The History of Roller Coasters
Day 3: People and Places of Roller Coasters
Day 4: Science Secrets of Roller Coasters/Rides
Day 5: Goodies and Gadgets of Roller Coasters
In my home, I'm teaching two kindergarteners and a preschooler, I wondered exactly how much the kids would be able to do and comprehend. From experience, I can confidently say that young students enjoy the DNG's tremendously. Just after Day 1 of our study and watching some of the online videos, I came into the living room to find my kiddos "playing roller coaster" on the couch. They were so excited and too cute!
My kiddos love to color and draw, so it was no shocker that we had to get out our drawing paper and markers to make some rollercoaster masterpieces. They were definitely fridge-worthy! As much as they enjoyed drawing, Jeremiah, Caleb, and Rachel really liked being able to design their own roller coasters on the computer and watching the simulated ride. They even built their own roller coasters in the hallway using books from their shelves, a few pieces of their Thomas the Train tracks, and their favorite Hot Wheels cars. I was impressed that a 3, 4, and 5 year old could pull this off experimenting on their own. This was a great activity!
Due to my kids age, I opted not to do the notebooking activities. It would be too much writing, and actually, Mommy would be the one jotting down all of the kids' dictation. However, that did not eliminate all of these activities because we were able to discuss them and Caleb, especially, was able to answer orally. Jeremiah and Rachel are my Ethiopian cuties. As you can imagine, since they have been with us just shy of 6 months, there are always opportunities for vocabulary building. Aside from the obvious word "Roller Coaster," we were able to talk a lot about antonyms: fast/slow, high/low, up/down, and straight/curved. Hidden opportunities abound.... you'll definitely want to check out these other
Roller Coaster DNG blog reviews to see other creative ways people used this study.
The Roller Coasters DNG was the perfect, engaging, hands-on, creativity catalyst to join our phonics, math, reading, and history. I look forward to using many more DNG's in the future, and in fact, I believe, I will use Roller Coasters again too. I think it would be perfect to re-visit in a few years, possibly when the kids are 3rd & 4th graders. They will be able to study gravity in more depth and do the notebooking pages independently. Hopefully, they will be able to look back and remember some of the fun we had this past week as well. Making memories and learning at the same time - that is my goal!!!!
Would you like to give the Roller Coasters DNG a try? It is available for purchase
here for a very reasonable $7.95. You can also enter my giveaway... I am authorized to give 1 complete copy of this study away. The winner could be you!!!! How do you enter?
1. Follow my blog. (Leave me a comment saying you are now a follower.)
2. Mention my blog's giveaway on your blog, Facebook, Twitter, etc. (Leave me a comment telling me how you shared about the giveaway.)
3. Visit the
DNG site and leave me a comment telling what DNG title you are most interested in (Please leave a comment.)
So.... you have 3 opportunities to get your name in the giveaway drawing. Just be sure to post in the comments section, and leave me an email address so I have a way to contact you if you are the Big Winner! I will hold the drawing Thursday @ 1 p.m. EST. Be sure to check back for the announcement!
