Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post and I was compensated for my time for this BookShark curriculum review and BookShark Virtual. All opinions are always my own. Thank you to BookShark Virtual for sponsoring this post. For more information on sponsored posts, see my disclosure.
Picking a curriculum is never an easy task. There are so many choices it is hard to know where to even start. BookShark just made it easier. And they made their curriculum even more irresistible, by adding BookShark Virtual.
BookShark Reading with History
I recently read George Orwell’s 1984 for my mom book club and he made this observation about history: “History has stopped. Nothing exists except an endless present in which the Party is always right.” If we have no history, then there is no method to correct the present, and independent thought is erased. George Orwell made some disturbing observations in 1984, but they aren’t far from the truth. But it is a perfect illustration on why it is necessary to teach history.
Most of the events of history that I am well-read in came from reading historical fiction through my childhood and teen years. These stories then sparked an interest to read the actual historical accounts as an adult. I discovered something. Many of the historical fiction books were accurate about the major events. So the stories that I read as a child and teen stayed with me through my adult years, and became more cemented as I started to dive into the historical accounts through non-fiction books and documentaries.
History is an important subject to teach, but sometimes it can be overwhelming to find the right books to teach it. That’s why I really like BookShark because they curate all the books for you, and also create the lesson plans and questions to go along with it. BookShark reading with history takes the stress out of putting together a curriculum of living books.
If you are looking for a curriculum that is going to take the events of history beyond a textbook, then BookShark may be just what you are looking for.
A Peek Inside Level C BookShark Homeschool Curriculum
I confess, I am a total book nerd. If I can’t actually sit down and read a book, then I will be listening to one. So when the big box of books arrived from BookShark, I totally geek out. I would have loved to have curriculum like this when I was homeschooled.
We recently received our BookShark homeschool curriculum, Level C Intro to World History, and the response was still the same. Total geek out over all the books. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s inside the box.
BookShark Secular Homeschool Curriculum has Something for Every Learning Style
Your child doesn’t have to be a voracious reader to enjoy and use BookShark. Because there are so many books it can feel like your child needs to be this great reader to really appreciate the curriculum. That is just not true. Your child can still get a lot out of BookShark homeschool curriculum, even if your child is a reluctant reader. BookShark reading through history appeals to all learning styles.
Whether your child is a visual learner, auditory learner, read/write learner, or kinesthetic. There is something in the box for everyone. Whether it is the visually appealing books for your visual learner. The captivating stories for your audio learner. The writing assessments for your read/write learner. Or the hands-on projects like Hands-on history, timeline notebook, or the dry erase maps for your kinesthetic learner. There is something for every learning style.
Did I Mention Geography?
Let’s talk geography for a minute. As a homeschool mom and work from home mom it can feel overwhelming to think about adding one more subject. Geography can feel like one that is ok to skip. As someone who’s been asked if Alaska is next to Texas, please don’t skip this subject.
Here is another benefit of BookShark reading with history, the geography is already included. It is not a separate topic to teach, but it is fully integrated into the entirety of the curriculum. And you get a really cool markable floor map. So your kids can chart their next voyage across the seas, or can simply see that Alaska is nowhere near to Texas.
Perks of BookShark Virtual
Everything that I mentioned above makes BookShark a really great curriculum, but now let’s get to the irresistible part. They added BookShark Virtual. Yes, you can literally carry the whole instructor’s guide in your back pocket.
Traveling on a plane. Just take the books you need to read, everything is on your phone or tablet.
Roadschooling. You don’t need to bring along the thick binder. Just slip your phone into your pocket and put the books you need into your BookShark tote. You have it all.
School in the park. Yep, slide your phone into your back pocket and you are ready to go.
The BookShark Virtual has fully integrated History, Language Arts, Science, and Math-u-See into their online program. Here are a few more perks to BookShark Virtual.
1. Online grading
Yes! This is my favorite part because I hate grading. However, it is the easiest way for me to see their progress without being involved in every single subject. I have 6 kids and run two business, I need hacks to make my homeschooling journey easier.
For the BookShark Level C Intro to World History, Year 2 of 2, there are about 2 assessments per subject, per day. Some do require being uploaded, but most of them are fully contained online. Once it is uploaded, you can toss the paper too. So no more random papers all around the house or in the desk. It is stored in your BookShark Virtual app.
There are still some responses that will need to be teacher graded. So it is not fully automated grading, but the fact that a lot of it is, makes this a win-win.
One of the best benefits of online grading, other than I don’t need to do it, is the instant feedback that is gives to the kids. They can see which ones were incorrect and look up immediately what the correct answer is. Instead of waiting days or even weeks (yes, mom confession) for mom to get back to them. At which time, they probably don’t remember what the question was anyway. They’ve moved on.
2. Easy to travel
Many families homeschool because they want to travel. They want the flexibility to pick up and go to discover new and exciting places. The BookShark Virtual app makes it so much easier to do just that. You can easily take your curriculum with you, without adding an extra suitcase.
3. Good balance
I know screen-time is always a big concern for parents, and many don’t want school in front of the screen. I am actually a big proponent of using the online resources available in your homeschool. Especially, if you are a momtrepreneur or you work from home.
However, I do understand the concern of too much screen-time, and it is a fine balance. BookShark Virtual has balanced books and screen-time well. You still get the huge box of books, that will never go away. You just get the convenience of the curriculum being easily portable, and it eliminates many headaches for mom. Yet, they still focus on what’s important…all the books.
4. Teacher’s portal and student portal
You and your students get a portal for your BookShark curriculum. It is very easy to navigate for teacher and students. Your younger students will be able to navigate it independently as well. Which is always a benefit.
The teacher portal has everything in the Instructor’s Guide, including the skills your child will focus on for that week. The portal also allows you to send messages to your students, create notes, schedule activities, and a lot more. All in one place. Which is a major perk for a busy work from home mom. I only need to look in one place, instead of spread out over Excel, paper planner, desk drawers, etc
The student portal also gives them access to what needs to be accomplished for the day and the assessments that needs to be turned in. It is well-organized and easy to use. So your child can be an independent learner.
5. Keeps everything in one place
This is a major benefit. With 5 school age kids, just imagine the amount of paper we have in our school room at one time. It is not always pretty. With BookShark Virtual, you can eliminate your paper decorations from your home. And you don’t even need to sneak them into the garbage can because your kids still have a digital copy on their computers.
Conclusion: BookShark Homeschool Curriculum
If you want the best of both worlds, living books and virtual, then BookShark Virtual may be exactly what you are looking for.
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