The Story and Details.
1. At the bottom of the page you are told how many pages are left in the chapter.
2. Vocabulary words are highlighted in red. You can click on them if you don't know what a word means, and then a window pops up giving synonyms, starting with the most common, easiest word.
3. The black boxes either pop up lessons or recipes. You can click on them immediately or wait until you get the jobs part of program.
4. Also highlighted in red are interesting quotes that just add depth to the story.
5. The name of the main character is chosen by the student, along with your student's best attributes.
At the end of the story you are given a number of jobs to do. These jobs are divided into categories, such a language, life skills, vocabulary etc. Every 10 jobs you get a pay raise. The jobs are how you earn gold stars to help pay for the care of the orphs. The jobs are answered via multiple choice answers.
My son said "There's lots of orphs". "I like it". "It's fun. Building the stuff and putting it in the right spots so you aren't wasting resources.
My thoughts: The story line is engaging, the placement of quotes, lessons and recipes are interwoven nicely. The jobs fit well with the story line of each chapter. Professor Forp made my son laugh when he first met him. The "Mom, do you remember when we learned ______? Hey mom, can we try that purple cabbage trick? Mom, ....". Means my son is engaged in what he is learning and remembers it even once the product is put down for a day or two.
What are the things that I particularly enjoyed about Orphs of the Woodlands?
- Regular practice reading out loud for my son. He'd do a page, I'd do a page.
- A lad enjoying his school time, and wanting to work through the lessons so he could help those poor orphs.
- Regular emails. At first I found them annoying until I read them more thoroughly, and then I found them useful. Tons of information in those emails. :)
- The customer service is excellent. My son said "Mom, you should email them about......." I did so, and they responded with a "excellent job noting that young man, but ........" So encouraging and nice. :)
Vendor: Star Toaster
Product: Orphs of the Woodlands
Type: Online Educational Resource and Game.
Age: Grades 4-7
Price: Normally $19.99 for 60 days for up to three students, One month extensions for $6.99 also for three students.. Currently there is a free trial offer. The first 100 pages, and access to 50 games/lessons for free.
To learn more about the premise of the program, go here.
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