Digging Into Ancient Rome with Online Unit Studies from Techie Homeschool Mom {A TOS Review}

Sometimes we just want to have some fun as homeschoolers. That might mean doing a bit of a review of material we recently learned to try out a really, really neat online curriculum. If you have been reading my blog for a while, you may know we started out this year learning about Ancient Rome. Though we have moved past that time period, I was quite excited to have a chance to review the Ancient Rome Online Unit Study from Techie Homeschool Mom. Thankfully, the children agreed, especially when they saw the fun hands-on projects that were involved. 

Personally, I was always more of a "notebook and paper, I'd still rather read a physical book, and computers still make me nervous" kind of gal. However, I realize times are changing, and the children NEED to know how to use technology. Honestly, it isn't that the children are not familiar with computers and such. We have been using some websites to help supplement their schooling since Tabitha was a preschooler. These days they use the computer daily for various subjects, they play on game systems, and since Christmas of last year they even have their own tablets. Something about these Online Unit Studies intrigued me, as I am a big fan of unit studies, and wasn't quite sure how that would translate into a digital curriculum, so I thought it would be fun to try it out. And I am so glad we did. 

Each of the Online Unit Studies that are available from Techie Homeschool Mom are self-paced courses, meaning a family can take as long as they need to complete them, without losing access. There are a variety of different courses available. You will find courses in history, science, social studies, holidays, art, and more. As members of the Crew, we were given the choice between seven different courses:

• Ancient Egypt Online Unit Study
• Ancient Greece Online Unit Study
• Ancient Rome Online Unit Study
• Famous Artists Online Unit Study (Vol. 1)
• Famous Artists Online Unit Study (Vol. 2)
• Famous Inventors Online Unit Study
• Solar System Online Unit Study

While I would have loved the chance to have checked out the artist or inventor studies, I had noticed that there were quite a few trickier-to-come-by supplies needed for the hands-on projects. So, even though it meant a bit of review, I decided to go with Ancient Rome.

I was pleasantly surprised that we have actually been learning quite a bit of new information. I have to tell you, this unit study is chock-full of learning in the eight modules that it is comprised of. Each module is broken up into a number of lessons, ranging from 3-8. There are videos to watch, articles to read (or sometimes listen to), quizzes to take, projects to complete, recipes to make, games to play, and books to read. Here is a list of the different modules:

• Introduction to Ancient Rome
• Roman Mythology
• Daily Life in Rome
• Roman Architecture and Engineering
• Roman Government
• The Roman Language
• Entertainment in Ancient Rome
• Roman Military and War

In addition to the lesson modules there is a "Before You Start..." section with the following helps:

• If this is your first Online Unit Study
• Project Supplies
• Book Club
• General Questions/Broken Links

Then there is information about the Unit Study Project, which in this case was a Quiz Game App called Heads Up. 

We have made it a little further than halfway through the study in the five weeks that we have had it. 

These unit studies are designed for children from mid-elementary to middle school age, so the older girls probably would have been fine navigating the program and working on the material independently. However, we have always worked on history together, and they are already working on several subjects independently during their computer time, so I decided to work on this together as a family.

Once I had access to the unit study, we sort of dug right in. I did neglect to read the "Before You Start..." information in depth originally, though I did glance at it. Thankfully the study is quite easy to figure out and navigate, so I didn't run into any problems. I did go back and read the information when I had some free time, and realized I had been doing everything correctly. It really is self-explanatory. (Remember, this is coming from someone who gets nervous around computers, and can feel overwhelmed on new websites.)

We would do approximately one lesson from a module each time we sat down to learn about Ancient Rome (or review as the case was on occasion). Sometimes the lesson was short, so we did another one, and sometimes it was a bit long, so we spread it out to a second day. So far we have done a total of 19 lessons, though there are a couple of projects that still need to be completed. 

For our first lesson we got to discover where exactly Rome, Italy is, and we got to use Google Maps to see how far away we are from it. I honestly did NOT know you could measure distance using Google Maps, so that was sort of fun.

We then got to watch a fun video about the history of Ancient Rome and the Byzantine Empire, plus we looked at a timeline and answered a 10-question quiz. 

Quite a few of the links in the lessons lead to these fun articles and quizzes. I also like that with some of the articles on this site you can have the article read to you. It's sort of nice to save my voice, and it allows me to pay better attention to what is being read.

Usually there is a space at the bottom of the article to leave a comment in reply to a question or two posed at the end of the lesson. However, if there is a project to complete or a recipe to make, there is no comment thread. The reason for this is, when the project/recipe is finished, you are supposed to take a picture and share it on Pinterest and Instagram. Thanks to this I learned how to pin just a picture without it being inside a blog post. And I decided to teach the children how to make pinnable images. I will say, I sort of wish these lessons still had comment threads. That way we could note how our project went and post any suggestions or tips. 

We've had to answer such questions as:

• Share the distance from your home to Rome, Italy.
• What did we think of Aeneis and the Aeneid?
• How did the worship of ancient Romans differ from other ancient religions?
• What things were different for the ancient Romans than today? What things are similar?

So far the children's favorite parts have been making the different foods. We made a Roman Honey Cake while learning about food in the "Daily Life in Rome" section. We also chose to make the Edible Roman Road when learning about Roman Roads in the "Roman Architecture and Engineering" Section. I actually posted a Kids and a Mom in the Kitchen post for the Roman Honey Cake. It has been ages since I have posted one. I'll also be posting our Edible Roman Road this weekend. 

Roman Honey Cake

Edible Roman Road

Here is the collage Amelia made:

And here is Tabitha's pinnable image:

And here are mine:

We have also started working on a model Pantheon using craft sticks, hot glue, a balloon, and paper mache. It was put on hold as we didn't have a balloon. Plus we are having a bit of trouble following the video as the instructions are not very clear at all. We also haven't had a chance to go outside to make a sundial to tell time like the ancient Romans because we need to find a compass. That, and the weather has been a bit cloudy and rainy lately. 

The children are also in the middle of building a couple of colosseums on Minecraft. We aren't quite sure how long it is going to take to finish them. Tabitha and Amelia have been working together, while Hannah and Harold have been working on theirs. 

In addition to the lessons and projects, the Unit Study requires us to choose at least one fiction book on Ancient Rome to read. I actually had the children each choose their own book, plus we are still trying to get through Twice Free by Patricia St. John, which we have been reading as a read aloud for quite some time. Tabitha chose to read Detectives in Togas by Henry Winterfeld, and then she started the sequel titled, Mystery of the Roman Ransom. Hannah read Magic Tree House: Vacation Under the Volcano, which is about Pompeii. Harold is slowly making his way through the Magic Tree House books in order, and is getting close to being able to read Vacation Under the Volcano. Finally, Amelia chose a couple of books to read which I had taken out of the library. The first is titled, The Roman Twins by Roy Gerrard and the second is The Roman News by Andrew Langley. At the end of each module we are asked different questions about the chosen books. 

And to help us review information about Ancient Rome, we have been using the Heads Up app with the Build Your Own Deck in which we add lots of words regarding Ancient Rome. So far we have added 34 words. We did have to pay 99 cents for this specific deck. Not a big deal, just thought I would mention it. We aren't ones who usually pay money in apps. 

Here we are playing the game. 

Even mommy and daddy enjoy taking turns.

Here's a look at some of the words we've added:

Just a note, my husband and I are keeping this app on our phones, but we are not allowing the children to have this app on their tablets. There are some iffy, more adult decks that are included in the free ones which we do not want our children to have access to. However, we have been having a blast playing the one on animals. 

We are really enjoying using the Ancient Rome Online Unit Study from Techie Homeschool Mom. I really appreciate the time she has put into this study to make it easy for us to just click through to learn some awesome information about Ancient Rome. The site is easy to navigate and not at all overwhelming. I also love the way the site keeps track of our progress (as long as we remember to click "Complete and Continue" of course). I am very thankful for the General Questions/Broken Links section of the site. I have had to ask a question and I have had to report a broken link. Beth replied quite quickly and she fixed the link for the "Tell Time Like an Ancient Roman" project right away. Additionally, I love the way she has incorporated hands-on projects with a primarily digital, online study. It really does help to break up the screen time. Granted, if you are a parent who doesn't want your children online or in front of a screen too much, this might not be the curriculum for you. However, we have been incorporating educational websites for years, and I feel this unit study is well worth having some extra time online.

So, do I recommend the Ancient Rome Online Unit Study from Techie Homeschool Mom?

I most certainly do! I feel it has been a great addition to our homeschool, and I'm sure it will be to yours as well. You aren't interested in learning about Ancient Rome? That's okay. Don't forget, she has Online Unit Studies for multiple subjects. Maybe you will find one that fits your needs.

You can find Techie Homeschool Mom on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, and Instagram.

Don't forget to click the banner below to see what my fellow Crew Mates thought of the different Online Unit Studies they reviewed. 

Littles Learning Link Up: April 23, 2019: Craft Highlight- Paper Plate Butterfly Life Cycle

Each month you will find:

• A seasonal round-up (usually toward the beginning of the month)
• Posts where I share what I have been up to with my early elementary children and the preschoolers I work with at our homeschool co-op (including occasional highlight posts where I share how we used ideas that have been linked up here on Littles Learning Link Up).

Each week, I will host a link up, where you can share either what you have been up to recently, or old posts that may go with the theme.  Feel free to link up more than one post.

Each week I will continue to feature a couple of posts from those that have been linked up. 

I hope you will continue to share your wonderful posts, and I hope you will find something new to try with your child(ren).

It would be great for everyone to stop by and visit the other linked-up posts as well. Check them out, leave some comments, pin those that interest you. Let's make this a real party and socialize with each other.

We have finished our metamorphosis/life cycle lessons in our class at co-op. Two weeks ago I shared the Pattern Caterpillar Crafts we made, and last week I shared the Symmetrical Butterfly Crafts. Then I decided we needed a craft that incorporated the actual life cycle. At the beginning of the month I shared my Butterfly Metamorphosis/Life Cycle Fun Round Up. There were so many great ideas that other bloggers allowed me to share in that compilation post, 30 to be exact. I decided I wanted to use one of them for our next-to-last Pre-K class at co-op.

I loved the idea of a Paper Plate Life Cycle, where you can see all the stages all at once, going around in a circle. There were a couple of different ideas for this craft shared on my round up, and I'm sure there are others out there. I decided to go with the one from over at Buggy and Buggy because it didn't require pompoms. I love using pompoms, don't get me wrong, but I had used them two weeks in a row for the caterpillars and the butterflies, so I wanted something different. As usual, I did make a couple of changes.

You will need

Paper plates (1 per child)
Yellow paint
Life cycle template from Buggy and Buddy
Green construction paper
Stick on gems
Black marker
Brown and black pipe cleaners
More pipe cleaners in assorted colors
Tissue paper (Green for the chrysalis plus various colors)
White glue
Scissors

In preparation I printed out the life cycle templates and cut them out. Older children could do the cutting on their own. I then cut the pipe cleaners to the required lengths: 2 inches for both the black and brown, I left the other pipe cleaners whole for now. Then I cut the tissue paper: 2 x 3 inches for the green, and 2 x 2 1/2 inches (with rounded corners) for the other colors. I also cut green paper into leaf shapes.

I do not have any pictures of the children working on this craft. It was actually "Teen Teach Day" at co-op while the parents had a relaxing morning of fellowship. 

I laid everything out for the two teens who were teaching the Pre-K class that morning. 

From what the girls told me, plus from the glimpse of the few finished crafts I saw, the children did a great job with this craft. I love that it was simple enough for me to leave with the teens along with some instructions, and each of the stage's parts sorted into plastic baggies. 

These were the instructions I gave them:

Tell them they are going to be making a Butterfly Life Cycle Craft. Remind them that the butterfly lays eggs on a leaf, and in a while out pops a caterpillar. The caterpillar eats and eats, and grows and grows, until it forms a chrysalis. It goes through a change, called metamorphosis (have them repeat the word "metamorphosis" after you). After a while a butterfly emerges. Tell them they are going to make each stage. 

First they are going to paint a paper plate. Place a paper plate in front of each child, and make sure to write their name on the back. Hand out the paintbrushes and put some yellow paint on the paper plate. Remind them to spread it out all over the paper plate. Have them make sure to get the edges covered. Give them a little more paint as needed. Set them aside to dry.

While the paint was drying they read some books and went to snack and gym. 

Once the paper plates are dry, have them glue the life cycle circle to the middle of the paper plate with a glue stick.

Each bag is labeled for the different steps.

Step 1 (Eggs):

Have them draw a line down the middle of the leaf, then draw little lines. Demonstrate with the extra leaf. Have them turn the leaf over and apply glue with the glue stick. Attach the leaf in the egg wedge. Have them add 3 "eggs" using the gemstones. 

Step 2:

Ask each child which two colors of pipe cleaners they want. You will just have to cut the pipe cleaners in half. When they all have their pipe cleaners, demonstrate how to twist them together. You may need to help some of them. When they are all twisted, hand each child a pencil and show them how to wrap the twisted pipe cleaners around and around the pencil. Again, they may need help. Then apply a line of white glue in the caterpillar wedge and have them attach their caterpillar.

Step 3 (Chrysalis):

Give them each a brown pipe cleaner twig and a piece of green tissue paper. Apple a line of white glue in the chrysalis wedge and have them attach the "twig." Then have them twist the ends of the green tissue paper together to form the chrysalis. It may help to have them wrap it around their finger diagonally, twist one end, then take it off of the finger and twist the other end. Put a small dot of glue next to the end of the twig and have them attach the chrysalis.

Step 4 (Butterfly):

 Ask them what two colors of tissue paper they want for their butterfly. Give them each two. Then set a black pipe cleaner in front of them on the table, going up and down (vertically). Make sure the two pieces of tissue paper are on top of one another. Have the children grasp them in the center and pinch them. Have them tet them on top of the pipe cleaner, then wrap the pipe cleaner around the tissue paper. Help them twist it and form antennae. Then attach it to the last wedge with a line of white glue to attach to pipe cleaner and wings to.

If they had time at the end they were to read another book or two. I will be sharing all the books read during this unit in my Learning About Life Cycles: Caterpillar/Butterfly Lessons post.

I was able to get one picture of a child with a finished project (I asked her mom if she could send me a picture).

Paper Plate Butterfly Life Cycle

Let's take a look at that review schedule real quick:

Last week I shared my review of CrossWired Science. 

This week I will be sharing my review of Techie Homeschool Mom. 

In May I will share my review for the first two books in the Hamelin Stoop series from 12 Gates Publishing, Pathway to Liberty, Elementary Math Games from The Critical Thinking Co., the book God is Better Than Trucks from Christian Focus, another picture book titled Nothing from Worthy Kids, a couple of online subscriptions from EdAlive, plus Supercharged Science.

Phew, yes we are still busy with review products.

Here are a couple of things I would like to share with you:

Butterfly Metamorphosis/Life Cycle Fun Round Up

Learning About Life Cycles: Tadpole/Frog Lessons

April Showers Brought May Flowers Round Up

Now onto:

Littles Learning Link Up Features

On my last Littles Learning Link Up post, there were 9 wonderful posts linked up. I will be sharing a randomly selected post and the top clicked on posts.

Please, don't forget to stop by other posts that are linked up. See what catches your eye, stop by, pin the post to a relevant board, and perhaps leave a comment to let the author of the blog know you have been by for a visit. I know I appreciate others commenting and letting me know they have read my posts, so I am sure others do too.

This week's randomly selected post is:

Hilbert's Mazes shared Hand Drawn Owl Maze Part Two - Free Printable PDF.

And here are this week's most clicked-on posts:

Nicole from Mama of Many Blessings shared Friday Art: Stained Glass Butterflies

Brandy from The Barefoot Mom shared 20 Creative Ways to Practice Spelling Words.

Join the Party!

I would love to have you join in this week! What sort of activities do you do with your young children? Do you have some favorite activities you would like to share? I invite you to link up below. I will be pinning posts on one of my relevant boards, and I would love to feature some of the activities each week from what is linked up.

Please know I may share a picture from your post and link back to it, along with sharing how we used your idea in our school time. By linking up you are giving me permission to use a picture from your post. I will ALWAYS give credit and link back. Additionally, if you choose to try out any of the ideas with your child, please make sure you give credit where credit is due.

Linky will be open through Monday night, to give me time to check out all the posts and get the Features organized. Please take the time to visit some of the other wonderful posts linked up.

No button currently, and there won't be one until I can figure it out seeing as Photobucket has changed things. Feel free to still share the picture in place of the button. Just link it to my Littles Learning Link Up permalink please.

I am sharing over at

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Kids and a Mom in the Kitchen #129: Roman Honey Cake

Time for Kids and a Mom in the Kitchen

It has been a long, long time since I posted a Kids and a Mom in the Kitchen post. We are still in the kitchen together, but we never really have new recipes to share. And the older girls are always coming up with new recipes from scratch. Without mommy's help. Once they get their recipes perfected, I will be posting them, but that will be Kids in the Kitchen, not Kids and a Mom in the Kitchen. My children are growing up!

I have the opportunity to come to you today with a Kids and a Mom in the Kitchen thanks to a review we are doing. We have been reviewing the Ancient Rome Online Unit Study from Techie Homeschool Mom. In fact, that review will be going live next week. We have been doing some great learning online, but there are also great hands-on projects. One of them was to make a Roman Honey Cake. Yum, was it tasty!

The original recipe can be found at Cookies, Cupcakes and Cardio.

It was so easy to make. Just three ingredients.

You'll need eggs, honey, and flour.

First the three eggs were cracked into a bowl. Then the children took turns beating them with an electric beater until they formed peaks.

Then we added the honey.

We beat it until it was mixed well. Then we slowly added the flour and folded it in.

I had never beat whole eggs until they formed stiff peaks before. I was also surprised how much this made from only 3 eggs, 7 oz of honey, and 2 oz offlour.

We then poured it into a 9 inch pan which I had greased and had a circle of wax paper placed onto the bottom.

All ready to go into the oven. It was baked at 330 degree for 40 minutes. 

Doesn't it look tasty?

I loosened the sides, turned it over onto a plate, and removed it, then I took off the wax paper.

We loved the sound of topping it with whipped cream (which we made from scratch) and drizzling it with honey.

If you go to the original post, you can watch a video of her making the cake. Though, it really wasn't difficult at all. I have got to make this for a fellowship meal sometime soon. Though, I am sure I'll have to make two.

I am linking up to:

   

Melt in Your Mouth Monday
Friday Food Frenzy at Close to Home
Family Fun Friday at Happy and Blessed Home