"Little Passports" Feedback

[umsami]

Hi:

I'm looking for feedback on the Little Passports program. It looks cool...and Homeschool Buyers Co-op has it 15% off.. possibly up to 25% off. I'm wondering if you've used it, what you thought about it. I see it as a supplemental learning activity, rather than fulfilling any sort of subject matter for a curriculum.

TIA

https://www.homeschoolbuyersco-op.org/index.php?option=com_hsbc_epp_order&Itemid=1529

[onyxravnos]

I've looked at it too and it looks SO tempting... something i would of liked as a kid but it's just so pricey that i haven't bought it. 

 i hope someone here has used it.

[Zuzu822]

Angela has used it: http://satorismiles.com/

I know she blogged about it not too long ago.

I'm interested in it too, but I'll probably wait until my DS1 is a bit older.

[AAK]

We've been using it this year.  

My dd loves getting her packet every month in the mail.  We like the little worksheet with small activities.  We have liked the "bigger" activities too (origami for Japan, excavating a pyramid for Egypt).  My dd loves the little suitcase and is eager to find the country on the map each month.  

We don't like the online activities.  Maybe we should give it another chance, but the time we logged on wasn't fun.  It was just a quiz format.  My dd doesn't read well enough to read the Q&A by herself and there wasn't an audio button.

To be honest, the program is pricey for what it offers.  I do like it though because it acts as a topic springboard for us.  My dd gets excited about the country simply because something comes in the mail.  I wouldn't get half the reaction if I just decided that we would do France in January and Egypt in February, etc.  I usually add a book or two from the library.  I try to find a non-fiction one about daily life and a folktale or other story from the country.  When possible, we watch a short travel dvd about the country, look up landmarks, and sometimes try to cook a dish from the country.  When dd finds the country on the map, she also identifies the capitol, continent, and prominent borders.  

Amy

[umsami]

Thanks everybody.

Zuzu, a curriculum addict like myself should have never visited sartorismiles. I found something there called "Top Secret Adventures" which looks way cool too! Argh!!! It's a good thing I can't afford all of the curricula I want!

http://satorismiles.com/2011/02/15/top-secret-adventures-review/

[Zuzu822]

I'm sorry!! Every time I visit there, I have a similar experience. At least I'm in good company!

[AllyRae]

We really like it, but yeah, definitely just supplemental.  It has nowhere near everything you  need to teach about any of the countries.  But the kids love getting the mail and looking at Sam & Sophia's adventures.  

One that we found that's less expensive that we like a lot and offers a bit more hands on stuff is Exploration Earth: http://confessionsofahomeschooler.blogspot.com/2010/08/expedition-earth-journey-through-gods.html  (It is Christian based, but if you don't believe in that, there's a lot you can do without it...  It has language, animals, facts, crafts, etc. for each country)

But yeah, Little Passports is cool--my 4 and 7 year olds like it...but only the 7 year old understands the games right now.  The letters, picture, and souvenires each month are cute.

[AAK]

If you decide you want it, "Little Passports" is on sale at the homeschool buyers coop now.

Amy

[VeggieLovinMama]

That Exploration Earth one looks great. I think I'm going to get that one instead. The Little Passports seems over priced and I don't really care much for inheriting a bunch of plastic trinkets either...

[gypsymama2008]

I just wanted to say that Little Passports is currently half-price through Living Social.

[SundayCrepes]

Originally Posted by gypsymama2008 

I just wanted to say that Little Passports is currently half-price through Living Social.

Here's the link i found 3 months for $26 http://livingsocial.com/deals/148539-three-months-of-little-passports-packages?aff_id=792&offer_id=4

[SundayCrepes]

Originally Posted by AAK 

If you decide you want it, "Little Passports" is on sale at the homeschool buyers coop now.

Amy

Here's the link https://www.homeschoolbuyersco-op.org/index.php?option=com_hsbc_epp_order&Itemid=1529&c=1

[umsami]

Update, we did the 3 month program through LIving Social or Mamapedia (can't remember which).  My kids liked it, but it was way overpriced.  So many ways that it could be improved.  I have not ordered the additional months.  Only my 7 (now 8) year old could do any of the games, codes, etc.  Still, we now have a very nice map which the kids like referring to. LOL

[cats22]

Can't agree more. Way overpriced for what you get -- a few plastic trinkets and such that just ended up getting tossed aside and are now occupying closet space. I feel that the product is really overhyped and misrepresented as an "educational" product. The actual educational content is really sparse, and your kids could learn a lot more from great children's magazines like Highlights, Crickets Magazine for kids, and Junior Scholastics for those who are a bit older. Honestly, your money can be a lot better spent elsewhere! Save your money!!

[mommariffic]

So happy to have read this! I was JUST on the website and contemplated getting it, now I won't!