Imagine a world up for review, created by the folks at Star Toaster, called Orphs of the Woodlands, with good guys (you and WAK underground), bad guys (night creatures) and those in need of protection (the orphs). Now imagine having to navigate this world with the need to learn New Information Daily. To pass along that knowledge in the form of jobs, so that you can keep helping out the Orphs and solve the secret of High Tower Place. Now that is a world to review, and I'm delighted to have worked with my lad reviewing Star Toasters' world "Orphs of the Woodlands". The particular book we studied was "The Treasure of HighTower"
Orphs of the Woodlands is built upon the premise of build an engaging story, within which you put learning opportunities, and then provide a forum by which you can test out those learning opportunities. Let there be a reward for successful completion of that testing period. An online book, with online education opportunities and a game to boot! :) What fun (and it was).
Signing into Orphs is a two part process. First the parent signs in, then as you scroll down the page you'll see the Student accounts. Same password, different passwords for each student account. As you can see my son had an account, and so did I. :)
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To log into the student account you need to click on the student account options (located in red) and that pulls up another screen allowing you to see your student's progress, as well as have your student log into their account. If you click on student progress it opens up a new window where you see the progress made. I tell you this since it can be confusing if you fail to use student account log ins. :)
The Story and Details.
The Story and Details.
As you read the story there are several features to note.
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.
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.
correct answer
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incorrect answer
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When the jobs are done you are shown to this screen where you help to provide care for your orphs. My son figured out before I did that there is a strategy to what you buy and where you place it. Some plots of land are definitely better to get than others are. :) And it apparently matters a lot where you put resources to help support the orphs.
Our thoughts:
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?
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. :)
Product Details:
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.
Follow Star Toaster on Social Media:
Pinterest., Facebook, and Twitter.
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.
Follow Star Toaster on Social Media:
Pinterest., Facebook, and Twitter.
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