Tuesday, August 6, 2013

The Fascinating World of Insects DVD from BrainFood Learning (Homeschool Crew Review)

We received The Fascinating World of Insects DVD from BrainFood Learning for review purposes.

       photo 31477_411332758959489_253604783_n_zps2cd64016.png                     

Product link: The Fascinating World of Insects

Vendor Contact Information: BrainFood Learning

Age Appeal: All ages, but primarily preschool to younger grades

Format: paperback (ISBN: 978-0-9890606-0-8, copyright 2011)

Price: $14.99

 photo insects_front_500__981921320383955300400_zps866e5588.jpg

Does your family like learning about insects?  The Fascinating World of Insects DVD features the grasshopper, ladybug, rhino beetle, firefly, mosquito, honey bee, water strider, praying mantis, dragonfly, and butterfly.  It is filled with videography, photography, and information about each insect.  At the end of each insect description there are fun scientific words to learn, like species.

This video is appropriate for all ages.

Our Experience:

When The Fascinating World of Insects DVD arrived in the mail the children opened the package and decided they wanted to watch the video right away, so we watched it together.  We all thought that the photography and videography was wonderful.  We just wished that there had been more information about each insect.  Both B and C thought the review questions were too easy, but I could tell they had fun answering them. 

C has watched the video another time.  This time it was on the computer and she enjoyed it.  She had a more difficult time answering some of the vocabulary questions, so I think that children her age can learn a lot.  It would especially be true if they had not studied insects before.  B and C had previous knowledge of these insects.

I Liked:

  • The videography and photography was excellent.  We originally watch the DVD on the t.v.  The second time C and I watched it on the laptop.  The widescreen really made the photos spectacular.
  • I think this video is perfect as a beginning point for older elementary school children.  They would be able to pick an insect, then use the library or the internet to learn more about it.  Younger children can learn more facts about the various insects each time they watch the DVD.
  • In the menu it is easy to pick which insect to watch or review questions to do in the menu.
  • I thought the review questions were really helpful.  I could tell what the children had learned.  The different levels were perfect for different ages of children.
  • I liked how there was an entomology consultant from Washington State University.  It was very encouraging seeing that one of the writers had a M. Ed.

I Disliked:

  • While the sections on each of the insects was very informative, I thought they could have been longer.  There was almost as much time dedicated to the review questions as there was to the insects.

What B (boy, age nine, officially in fourth grade) Liked and Disliked:

I didn’t particularly like it.  My favorite part was about the praying mantis.  I like the praying mantis.  I also kind of liked the mosquitoes.  I don’t know why I liked them.  I liked the ladybugs, because I like ladybugs.  It’s better for those younger than I am.

What C (girl, age seven, officially in second grade) Liked and Disliked: 

I liked the photos and video.  The review questions were easy.  I liked the multiple choice.  My favorite insect was the ladybug.  I liked it because it eats other insects that are bad.  The Fascinating World of Insects is good for kids my age.  It is also good for kids younger than me.

DSCF1586 (Small)

Dad’s Call: 

Dad was unavailable for this review. 

Mamma highly recommends The Fascinating World of Insects from BrainFood Learning.

Photobucket

No comments:

Post a Comment