Homeschool Review Crew: Á La Carte Products from Home School in the Woods

We've been learning about Music and Art using our two Á La Carte review products from Home School in the Woods. We are huge fans of Home School in the Woods! We've used several of their products in the past including the Project Passport World History: Middle Ages and Renaissance and Reformation studies. We also reviewed the Time Travelers: The American Revolution study.

Let me tell you about the new Á La Carte collection. The collections consists of individual downloadable digital items meant to enrich or enhance the learning process. The company offers a wide conglomeration of Á La Carte products covering various subjects, time periods, and topics. They are organized by Historical Eras and Project Types. This means that if you are wanting a file folder game for your children to play that's related to your studies, then you can look under Project Types and click on File Folder Game. You can easily find what you are looking for when browsing. There are items available to supplement your History, Geography, Science, Art, Music, Bible, and Language Arts curricula. Projects such as games, timelines, newspaper and creative writing activities, posters, lapbooking resources, and 3D authentic crafts are offered. Activities will vary for each Á La Carte item. They are continuously adding newly released Á La Carte products to their store.

What We Received
We received a family license for the Art Gallery File Folder Game and the Composers Through History Timeline which means we can only reproduce materials within our immediate family. Teacher and School licenses are also available to purchase.

The downloads were emailed to us in PDF format therefore an updated version of Adobe Reader is needed and highly recommended for printing ease. I downloaded and saved the files to my MAC computer using Chrome as my preferred browser. Both files are compatible with PC and MAC computers.

The timeline and game were used with my 10-year-old daughter who is in 4th grade. I wanted to add more Music and Art Appreciation into our homeschool day. These supplemental resources definitely enriched her studies. I also used the Composers Through History Timeline to review the Classical composers we previously studied. We started with Classical composers and then traveled back to the Middle Ages moving forward chronologically each day. The Art Gallery Game was used to help her identify and recognize artists and their major artworks. 

Both of the Á La Carte products provided a Licenses For Use information page in addition to an Introduction and Tips page which includes detailed printing and assembly instructions. I HIGHLY suggest reading the Tips page first before printing anything out. The specific instructions for each project follow the Introduction page. Both include a bulleted list of supplies and numbered step-by-step directions.

Art Gallery File Folder Game
The Art Gallery File Folder Game teaches children about popular artists and their well-known masterpieces. This multi-player game is suitable for children in 3rd-12th grade. You can have up to four players with the option of adding more players if desired. You just need to print more pawn pieces on different colored cardstock paper. It can also be found in the Artist Activity-Pak.

Markers or Pawn Pieces

The 70-page file consists of master printables, step-by-step instructions, and finished product photos for you to view while assembling the game. These printables enable you to create a gameboard, player pawns or markers, and game cards. The 60 Art game cards include beautifully detailed hand-drawn black and white or color images. This game is complete and includes everything you need to play.

As you travel around the gameboard your family will learn about 18 different artists by reading the mini biographies. The artist's name, a short 1-3 sentence biography, and birth and death dates are given for each artist. The artists taught on the gameboard and through the use of the cards are Monet, Rivera, Van Gogh, Da Vinci, Seurat, Rembrandt van Rijn, Renoir, Holbein, Michelangelo, El Greco, Manet, Goya, Remington, Copley, Beatrix Potter, Doré, Rubens, and Raphael.

Furthermore, you will learn about the different Art styles and eras during the Baroque, Renaissance, Impressionist, Modern, and Americana Art Movements.

How We Used It
We downloaded, saved, printed, and assembled the game and markers. I printed the first 7 Art cards in color and the rest in black and white. I really wanted my daughter to see the artwork in its true form when possible. The information to learn was printed on the back side of each card. We chose NOT to laminate the game, but you may want to for extended use.

Front

Back

You will need colored pencils, scissors, glue stick, colored and white cardstock paper, copy paper, clear packing tape, ink, printer, computer, and two file folders to create this game. It is imperative that you read the instructions before printing to avoid printing mistakes.   

My daughter colored the gameboard while I cut out the Art cards and assembled the pawns. It was a simple and quick process. We had fun listening to music or watching our favorite television shows as we completed this step.

I wanted my daughter to be successful so I assigned a sub-set of 5-15 Art cards per day for her to study before we attempted to play the game. She studied 2-5 times per week. The first time we played the game, we used half of the deck. I hung several Art Cards around the house for her to study too. She flipped them over to read the information on the back. At first, I only required her to memorize the artist and masterpiece title. However, over time she quickly learned the material so I asked her to study and memorize the dates and mediums for each Art card to make the game more challenging.

We played the game after she studied the cards for several days. Alyssa chose her marker and placed it on any work of Art on the gameboard. We started at the same location. The Art Gallery cards were stacked in a pile face up. The player would view the artwork at the top of the pile and answer one or more questions correctly in order to move ahead. I wanted my daughter to familiarize herself with the artists and the masterpiece title. Therefore, she had to answer the first two questions correctly before she could move ahead one space in a clockwise direction. An incorrect response simply meant that she could not move forward and it was my turn to view the next card. We took turns playing.

Questions Asked:

1. Who created the work?
2. What is the name of the work?
3. What year was it done?
4. What medium was it done in? 

We played the game at least 7 times during the review period and each time she retained the information better. The objective of the game is to be the first player to make it around the gallery in order to win the game. She really enjoyed playing this game. Personally, I think she liked the fact that she beat me every single time we played even though I tried my hardest. She told me she wants to continue playing the game even after the review is posted.

Composers Through History Timeline

The 9-page Composers Through History Timeline file consists of master templates, detailed directions, and finished project photos to help you assemble the timeline properly. The timeline is originally found in the Composers Activity-Pak. The file contains 2 pages consisting of 42 important black and white figures and three-pages of predated lines. Most of the composers are from the Romantic period. There are 22 figures in that era alone. Almost all of the figures were men. The blank timelines indicate the appropriate place for each well-known figure to be glued making it easier for children to assemble. The designer, Amy Pak, selected the composer names that were seen frequently in History programs.

This timeline is suitable for children in 3rd-12th grade. It covers seven musical eras beginning with Middle Ages (500 A.D.) and ending with the Modern 20th Century era. The musical era bars at the bottom of the printable can be color-coded. Each color represented a different era.

• Middle Ages (500-1400)
• Renaissance (1400-1600)
• Baroque (1600-1750)
• Classical (1750-1820)
• Romantic (1820-1900)
• Impressionist (1890-1940)
• Modern 20th Century (1900-Present)  

You'll need white cardstock, white copy paper, colored pencils, clear packing tape, and a glue stick to create this timeline. You might also want to borrow composer books and Cd's from the library and create a You Tube playlist of music for each composer ahead of time. 

The timeline was stored in a manila envelope with our tub of Music resources. It can easily fold-up accordion style. You can also hole-punch one side to place in a binder if desired.

How We Used It

First, I cut out the timeline sections and taped them together on the back side to form a chronological overview representing the seven eras of music. Alyssa colored the timeline era bars at the bottom of the page for me. We researched 2-7 composers each day during the review period. My daughter colored the images while I read a short biography I found online or in books we already owned at home. We also searched for composer music samples on You Tube or Google. Then, she pasted the colored figure in the appropriate place on the timeline. I might have her research her favorite composer and complete a notebooking sheet about him.

Coloring

Pasting Using Placement Guides

She also used the timeline to accompany our History studies so that she could see when certain events during the American Revolution took place in relation to the composers who lived at the same time.  

In my opinion, this is not a complete product. In order to get the most out of it, you'll need other resources to make the process more meaningful instead of just a cut-n-paste activity. You may want to read about the composers or hear samples of their music before gluing the figures on the timeline.   

Overall
Both of the products were wonderful additions to our homeschool day and outstanding ways to incorporate more Music and Art into our schedule. The clearly-stated assembly directions were easy-to-follow.

My daughter's favorite product was the Art Gallery File Folder Game. It was easier to use and made learning Art fun. She was completely engaged in the process and mastered the information shared. Repetition was key to mastering the information and building her knowledge base. Alyssa said that she liked learning about all of the different artists and their works of Art. She continues to challenge herself to learn all the information.

The Composers Through History Timeline is an excellent resource or visual reference to use at a later time. As we study historical events, I'll ask Alyssa to show me when they took place in relation to the musical eras. Her favorite musical eras were the Classical, Baroque, and Romantic time periods. The music she liked most was more upbeat or emotional. She enjoyed listening to Beethoven and Mozart the most.

Recommendations
I highly recommend the Á La Carte products from Home School in the Woods! These engaging products will appeal to individuals implementing a Unit Study, Delightful Learning, Eclectic, Activity-Based, or Thematic approach to learning. Classical and Charlotte Mason homeschoolers may also appreciate these activities. This is not the Traditional Textbook form of learning. 

What We Loved

• Variety of Artists and Movements Covered in the Art Gallery Game
• Art Gallery Teaches Art Mediums and Dates Not Just the Artists and Artwork Name  
• Clear Printing and Assembly Directions are Provided
• File Printables Easily Accessible
• Hands-On Learning, Multi-sensory Approach
• Makes Learning Fun and Interactive
• Easy to Store
• Contains Almost Everything We Need to Complete Projects 
• Professional High Quality Images
• Digital Downloads Means Immediate Use
• Number of Composers Covered

Possible Vendor Suggestions
The composer timeline does NOT include biographies or MP3 music clips therefore you must research it independently online or in books if this is the route you take. This can be very time-consuming unless you already have resources in your home. I wish that the company included at least one musical composition and a mini biography with several interesting facts for each composer to make the product even more useful.

Wishful Thinking
We wish we could see more historical time period recipe booklets, hands-on crafts, mapping resources, and possibly even mini thematic coloring books added to the Á La Carte product page.
 
Prices
Art Gallery File Folder Game $6.95

Composers Through History Timeline $2.95

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Other Á La Carte Products of Interest
After viewing the Á La Carte collection, my daughter and I made a list of individual products we'd like to purchase and try in the future.

• The Art of Quilling (3D project)
• New World Explorers Timeline
• Name That State! File Folder Game
• Merchant Marauder File Folder Game
• Science, Invention, and Mathematicians Timeline
• A Trip to Town File Folder Game 

Visit the Homeschool Review Crew blog to read other reviews about many different Á La Carte products. Crew members reviewed a wide variety of resources.  

Homeschool Review Crew: Home School in the Woods Renaissance & Reformation Review

We've had nothing but positively fun experiences using our new review product, HISTORY Through the Ages Project Passport World History Study: Renaissance & Reformation from Home School in the Woods. This exceptional hands-on study really brought our History lessons to life with a wide variety of activities and projects to complete including but not limited to lapbooking, notebooking, recipes, file folder games, art projects, crafts, MP3 audio tours, creative writing, coloring, mapping, and timeline figures. Last year the Middle Ages review study was a blast! I can assure you that Renaissance & Reformation study will NOT disappoint you. You can journey back into time with this fun-filled adventurous study which was designed by homeschool mom, Amy Pak, for children in 3rd-8th grade. However, it could definitely be utilized with younger or older students with minor adjustments.  

Product Description
I received the product as a digital download with printable files in PDF format so you'll need an updated version of Adobe Reader to read the files. This comprehensive study includes everything you need for a complete study of this time period.

The Renaissance & Reformation study includes 25 numbered stops which is designed to last 8-12 weeks depending on how you schedule the stops. It contains over 50 activities to pick and choose from each day. There are helpful photos of the finished projects for you to view. You can stretch out the content to last as long as you desire or work as indicated in Travel Planner. One stop is equivalent to one lesson. These lessons are sure to spark your child's interest and encourage them to learn about the time period. Each stop contains a plethora of hands-on projects which will deepen their understanding of the topic. The unit study stops consists of Guide Book Texts, Masters with Teacher Keys, and Travel Itineraries with step-by-step project directions.

Just a Few of the Topics Addressed

• Humanism
• Renaissance Meaning
• Italian City States 
• Renaissance Italy
• Florence 
• Cosimo Medici
• Renaissance Art (Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Etc.)
• Renaissance Music (Composers and Types of Music)
• Science, Astronomy, Inventions, and Math
• Literature and Drama
• Early Reformers (Martin Luther)
• Conflict and War (Thirty Years' and Civil War)
• Exploration
• Henry VIII and Family
• Zwingli and Switzerland
• John Calvin
• France and the Wars of Religion
• Knox and Scotland
• Counter Reformation
• Every Day Life: Clothing, Family, Food, Social Classes, Crime/Punishment, and Entertainment)
• And So Much More

How We Used Renaissance & Reformation
I used the Renaissance & Reformation study with Alyssa (Age 9) who works at a 3rd-5th grade level. She is at the lower end of the recommended grade level, but because she reads at a higher level and would be working with me I felt like it would be a suitable study perfect for her needs.

I received an email which contained a zip file and instructions for accessing unit study materials. You will need an application to help you "unzip" files if it isn't already available on your computer. I opened, unzipped, and saved the downloadable files on our MAC OS X 10.6.8 computer using Chrome as our main browser. The digital download is compatible with PC and MAC computers. First, I skimmed through the organized folders so I could get familiar with the layout again and view the contents in order to plan our lessons. It may be a little overwhelming at first, but after you look at the layout of the study you'll understand how to implement it better.

This study replaced Alyssa's current History curriculum. It served as her core standalone World History curriculum. You could easily use it as a supplement to your current studies. My daughter definitely needed a change or a break from her current study. This Project Passport study brought History back to life this year. We haven't addressed the Renaissance and Reformation time period yet but it was of high interest and a great study to follow up with after our Middle Ages study.

I adjusted the amount of work we hoped to accomplish during this review period, because my daughter ended up having strep with high fevers followed by a horrible cold and winter allergies. We took more breaks and spread the activities out more.

We worked through content 3-4 times per week completing 1-2 stops each week. One stop was usually broken into 2 sessions. Our stops overlapped at times, because some projects took longer to complete. We wanted to move forward and learn more about the time period. We studied the content in chronological order. We spent 30 minutes to 1 1/2 hours per session depending on the project details and requirements.

I quickly read through the Introduction and Teacher Tips. I highly suggest reading these sections before beginning the study to familiarize yourself with the format. My daughter helped me gather frequently used supplies based on the provided list below. Most of these supplies were found around the house. There are additional supplies needed for art projects and crafts.

We were able to pick and choose projects from the 3-page Travel Planner: Quick Stop Itinerary based on Alyssa's interests, supplies at home, and what I wanted to emphasize. The Quick Stop Itinerary showed all 25 stops at a glance. I decided to print materials two stops at a time. After seeing all of the activities included, my daughter's excitement grew. We visited our local library to search for books and resources mentioned on the Additional Resource List. We hope to find and read more age-appropriate literature related to this time period as we continue traveling through the study.

We snuggled on the couch or floor to read the background material aloud from the Guide Book Text together making stops along the way. We took turns reading paragraphs or sections. The Guide Book Text provided the lesson topic content and the Travel Itineraries listed individual projects and detailed activities related to each stop. I highlighted completed assignments and projects so that I could track what still needed to be done. A key of codes is provided which identifies icons which represent the different types of activities. There is a lot of prep in the beginning, but the results and learning that takes place makes it worth the effort. I would spend a day prepping binder and printable materials and another day to gather books at the library and art supplies. All of the materials above were stored in my 3" teacher binder with the Travel Itineraries following the Guide Book Texts. 

Guide Book Read Aloud Text

Alyssa's first hands-on activity was to create her Passport and Luggage Folder. There was a place inside the passport for a drawing or photo of your child. For the purposes of this review, we did NOT write in our physical address. I helped her with cutting the smaller areas with an Exacto knife. The luggage folder contains sheets to record her experiences at the end of the study. You'll need to help younger children with measuring cutting the luggage. At the end of the study, she'll write about her favorite experiences.    

The Scrapbook of Sights binder enabled her to record relevant information about important people, places, and events using the notebooking technique. This binder stored ALL of her work including her Snapshot Moments in History Scrapbook Timeline and her Renaissance Reporter Newspaper.  

She also made a Postcard Rack to store her postcards during Stop #1. The bordered Postcards were written from important or influential people during the Renaissance & Reformation time period. The individual would explain events or situational circumstances going on at that time. Alyssa would read the postcard for each stop and illustrate the important event or main idea on the back side of the card. For example, after reading a postcard written by Nicolaus Copernicus to Georg Rheticus she drew an illustration representing Copernicus's theory on the back of the card that would be a page in his book. The timeline, newspaper, and post cards are continuous activities that will be completed throughout the entire study.

We made 3 of the recipes that were included in the Dining Out Guide: A Booklet of Renaissance Feasting, because we both love to cook and bake. The Dining Out Guide was a lapbook piece. Most of the recipes we utilized were desserts or sides. We hope to utilize the recipes more before the end of the study. The first recipe we tried were the Cheese Krapfen. Our biscuits were very cheesy (fresh Parmesan) and had a strong yeast flavor. This was our least favorite recipe. However we loved the taste of the Rice Pudding and Applemoyse. We did add in the suggested extra sugar and vanilla extract to sweeten the Rice Pudding. This was a great snack. The Applemoyse tasted like homemade chunky cinnamon applesauce. We mixed in in our oatmeal the next day for breakfast.

Applemoyse, Rice Pudding, and Cheese Krapfen

We attempted another recipe for Springerle Cookies during Stop #4 which was one of the ever popular Souvenir Craft Cards my daughter looked forward to completing. The recipe included a bulleted list of ingredients and tools in addition to numbered directions for the molded anise cookies which originated in the German province during the 15th century. My daughter loved baking and tasting these crunchy cookies. She said they tasted like black licorice. After these cookies dried for over 12 hours and were baked in the oven, Alyssa painted them with a mixture of almond extract and yellow, green, and blue food coloring. They were too hard for my sensitive teeth, but I thoroughly enjoyed the pleasant aroma that filled the house.   

Souvenir Craft Cards

Springerle Cookies

All of her Lapbook mini-books and pieces were stored in a three-hole punched manila clasped folder in her History binder. The topics addressed so far were Defining Renaissance, Da Vinci: The Ultimate Renaissance Man, the Influences of Music During the Renaissance, Booklet of Recipes, and Ptolemy vs. Copernicus: The Battle of the Theories for Planetary Motion. Alyssa was intrigued with Da Vinci and researched more information about him using online resources and books. Learning more about Da Vinci and creating the Dining Out Guide were the highlights of the lapbooking projects.

The 3D projects were an added bonus. We're still looking for a box and she's coloring the stage pieces so she can set up her Shakespeare Globe project. I am sure she'll use the puppets to act out stage performances.  

The Timeline printables were provided for this particular historical time period (1100 AD through 1660 AD), three-hole punched, and printed on green cardstock during Stop #1. Timeline figures and Teacher Keys were also included in the Master templates. This timeline served as a great visual overview or reminder of the studied topics.   

Timeline Up Close

We aimed to complete at least 1-3 creative writing assignments during the review period. One writing assignment that was consistently completed was the Renaissance Reporter Newspaper articles. She created advertisements and wrote article summaries about specific topics related to the study. The newspaper templates were printed on bright orange copy paper. Her two favorite articles to research were about Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo.

Alyssa also explored several Art Techniques and Mediums during this study. She learned about linear perspective, egg tempera painting, two-dimensional chiaroscuro pencil drawings, fresco secco water color painting, and drawing with colored chalk pastels. She learned that "chiaroscuro" in Italian meant light-dark. Then, she practiced using shadows and highlights in her pencil drawing giving it a more realistic effect. We set up a still life to help with the chiaroscuro and chalk pastel activities. Specific directions were provided too.

Chiaroscuro Pencil Drawing

Chalk Pastel Fruit Still Life Drawing

There were eight Audio Tours led by, Agatha, the tour guide of Da Vinci Tours. Alyssa listened to three of them as indicated in the study while coloring projects or coloring sheets found online. She also listened to them during meal times, breaks, and before bedtime. She really enjoyed listening to the audio about Michelangelo & Rome. She searched for a book about him so that she could see a picture of the Sistine Chapel ceiling masterpiece. The audio tours are exciting and very informative.   

This study integrates a variety of subjects such as History, Art, Music, Reading/Literature, Writing, Science, Geography, and more. We haven't reached the stop that incorporates mapping into the study yet, but I love that my daughter will be learning about relevant geographical areas. There is so much more that we haven't yet explored. We also haven't hit any stops with file folder games for game night (chess), but we know the activity is right around the corner. 

Overall Thoughts and Results

My daughter's favorite activities were the souvenir craft card hands-on projects and recipes. These activities really captured her attention and interest. Two of her favorite activities were the Masquerade Mask and Fresco Secco. 

She chose the feather and gem colors to use on her Masquerade Mask at Hobby Lobby. We used a different type of glue than was suggested on the card. We ran into a few glue issues, but managed to resolve them and complete the mask.

Masquerade Mask

A Fresco Secco is artwork painted on dry plaster which is the canvas. Alyssa didn't like the idea of cracking her art project, but we were careful and tried not to mess up her watercolor painting. She also wished that we had a mold for the wet Plaster of Paris, because she didn't like spreading the plaster. My daughter lightly sketched an image on the fresco canvas with a pencil and after painting it sealed it with glue to preserve it. She learned that "fresco" meant "fresh" in Italian and that the Sistine Chapel was known as a Buon Fresco.    

Fresco Secco Fruit and Veggie Bowl

Alyssa is drawn to music, theater, and arts so this History study was a perfect fit for her. She retained and understood the content more using this study. She can't wait to make the Circlet. We also already have plans to go to a Renaissance festival the beginning of March.

I appreciate that the study was organized into individual stops. It was easier to print all the corresponding materials at the same time. I didn't need to add anything to the study except for a few optional books mentioned on their Additional Resources list to enrich and enhance learning. This tool contains a list of books, music, audio books, video, and more. This study enabled me to effectively teach my daughter about History during the Renaissance & Reformation era.

One of my favorite aspects of this well organized study is the flexibility with lesson planning. I have control over what my daughter studies and to what depth we study the topic. We can choose to spend days studying a topic or briefly stop for a visit. The detailed instructions were written in a step-by-step manner which makes it easier to finish projects. I loved being involved in the study while still offering Alyssa the opportunity and freedom to work independently. She enjoyed choosing study topics of interest and projects with me too.

We are currently working through Stops #8-10. The Shakespeare Globe Souvenir Card project and Sonnet from Stop #8 are taking much longer than expected. There's so much coloring and cutting for the stage and puppets. You may want to pre-cut the pieces for your child. My daughter said that the sonnet is difficult to write because you have to rhyme and use a certain number of syllables. I don't recommend this type of poetry for younger children.

We are also looking forward to reading more about this time period. We will definitely continue using the study, but at a slower pace so that we can dig even deeper. We were thinking about going back a few stops to complete more craft projects and recipes once we have some extra cash since Alyssa loved those activities. History is one of my daughter's favorite subjects now thanks to Home School in the Woods.

Recommendations
So stock up your ink and get your printer ready . . . this study will bring smiles and fun your way. Remember you don't have to do everything. Choose what works best for your family. I HIGHLY recommend Renaissance & Reformation. This engaging study will appeal to individuals implementing a Unit Study, Thematic, Activity-Based, Eclectic, Charlotte Mason, or Classical approach in their homeschool. Visit their website to learn more. The study addresses all the learning styles so your child is sure to find something of interest especially if you have a hands-on learner.

Prices
Renaissance & Reformation Digital Download $33.95
CD Version $34.95

I'm thrilled to announce that Home School in the Woods recently released a new Ancient Greece study and an Ancient Rome study will be released in 2018. Both of which we hope to utilize in the near future. You can even check out their Ancient Egypt study if that is the time period you are interested in studying.

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Please check out the other Home School in the Woods product reviews at the Homeschool Review Crew blog.

Alyssa's 2016 Piano Recital

We've been preparing for Alyssa's piano recital for the last couple months. My daughter played two classical songs at her piano recital last Saturday. The songs she performed were Theme from the Surprise Symphony by Joseph Haydn and Theme from the 1812 Overture by Tchaikovsky. She did an exceptional job! I am so proud of my baby girl's accomplishments. She'll be playing the pieces at church this Sunday. I just wanted to share a few photos with you all.

Alyssa

Alyssa and Mrs. Lu
(owner of Lusic Piano Studio)

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