We had the opportunity to review an online subscription of Drive Thru History Adventures from Drive Thru History Adventures.
One subject my children and I all love is history. The stories of how we, as a country and people, got to where we are today are so interesting. There are so many stories to tell and so much to learn. What did one say about history . . .?
”Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” ~ George Santayana, Reason in Common Sense, The Life of Reason, Vol.1
I will say the reason we love history has absolutely nothing to do with that statement, but it is something to ponder. After that, a great place to start is with Drive Thru History Adventures.
We received a one-year, online subscription to Drive Thru History Adventures that currently has three experiences: American History Adventures (12 weeks), Ancient History Adventures (12 weeks) and Bible History Adventures (18 weeks). I say experiences, because when you head out on an adventure with Dave Stotts, creator of Drive Thru History, it is definitely a one-of-a-kind experience. Dave not only teaches you about history, but takes you there (wherever there is), everywhere.
We have been traveling with Dave through American History and Bible History. Both studies have been great additions this school year. We are working our way through (in different grade levels) American History and the American Homeschool History Curriculum has enhanced our studies. Finding a Bible study that we all can complete together is always a challenge and the Bible History is a great Bible curriculum option to further our Bible knowledge.
Each history adventure includes videos, suggested readings, art and illustrations, discussion questions and worksheets, and a dig deeper section. The American History and Bible History online courses may count towards high school credit, but you may need to add some additional study for full credit (1/2 semester credit). Although the online American and Bible History Adventures are around 30 minutes, the online Ancient History Adventures is 45 minutes long and is enough teaching time for full credit. It is my understanding the American and Bible DVDs have an extended version, which will satisfy the minimum hours a student needs per semester for credit.
American History
The American History Adventures begin with the “discovery” of America by Christopher Columbus. We get to “visit” Italy where it all began; the travel to the new country, America.
Of course there were the familiar names like Columbus, William Penn, Benjamin Franklin, but there were so many other people and facts of which we have yet to learn.
• Spanish monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella, who had given Columbus his financial start, had successfully defeated the Muslims and driven out Islamic domination of Spain (Grenada) after 700 years.
• Wall Street was a northern boundary of the Dutch settlement.
• A Buttonwood tree, also known as the American sycamore tree, was near the Wall Street area where men use to trade stocks. The Buttonwood Agreement is the origin of the New York Stock Exchange
• At the Saratoga Monument, there is a niche with a missing statue. It is where one of Benedict Arnold, who betrayed his country, would have been placed.
• Although an American traitor, Benjamin Arnold served the American military successfully. He is recognized, not by name, but by a Boot Monument.
Bible History Adventures
Dave takes viewers on an adventure through the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, the first half of the New Testament, while visiting 50 locations in Israel. As we approach Easter, it was special watching the Homeschool Bible Curriculum. Getting to “visit” so many places Jesus traveled (walked) was exciting. The lessons cover apologetics, archaeology, geography and of course history.
Thank goodness King Herod was not successful at killing the Baby Jesus. Much of the content Dave covers in the Bible History Curriculum are what we have read in the Bible. What makes the curriculum wonderful (yes, wonderful) is that he takes us to the places we have read about.
Some Dave humor was “making the Herodium” explode like a science experiment.
More homeschool bible curriculum adventures are planned with the Acts to Revelation study that is expected to be released later this year.
For many, history is not a fun subject. Some describe the study of history as dry and boring. Drive Thru History Adventures is neither of those, but is instead, as in the title, an adventure. He puts a lot of effort into the videos that make up the curriculum. They are high quality and well directed to capture the history he shares. Also, there is no pretention with Dave. In the midst of talking about battles and other atrocities or discord, he mixes humor . . . in an appropriate manner.
More Dave humor:
It is a tradition for people, when visiting Benjamin Franklin’s gravesite, to toss pennies on it in acknowledgement of his famous statement, “A penny saved is a penny earned.”
Dave notes that when people toss pennies at the site, “they are doing the exact opposite of what Franklin suggested.” So to honor him, Dave decides to keep his pennies in his pocket.
While visiting Henry Muhlenberg’s, founder of the Lutheran Church, historical church, he is shown coming out of a restricted area. Oops. He only notices (just for fun) the sign after having already walked through the area to complete the video. Of course he had permission, but it is still funny. Those are funnies I caught, but your children will often find themselves laughing too.
I was able to briefly look through some of the Ancient History Adventures. What I saw appears to be more for high school level, because of the content. The content is family-friendly, but some of the themes may be too much for younger children. I am looking forward to watching the rest of the videos in that curriculum and taking a peek into the Coliseum.
Canyon is my car lovin’ child. Dave’s first traveling vehicle was a Land Rover, but he opens his driving experiences as he gets behind the wheel of a Jeep, some car we couldn’t identify and a SsangYong Rodius (this one was new to Dave and us).
Fun, fun and very educational are the Drive Thru History Adventures. We have not finished watching all of the videos and completed the questions verbally. I am looking forward to working through all of them in a more formal manner with questions and discussion time.
Another great addition to the online subscription is the Adventures TV. Dave understands people on the go. He is always out on an adventure somewhere. Along with that, it may be why Adventures TV was created. Adventures TV allows you to access your subscription and watch it while on go the using the Adventures TV app.
Hey Dave, thank you for the patches!
Dave is an engaging person {See video samples of other adventures}, which is evident through her persona in the videos. He also connects with his fellow adventurers in the Facebook group for members only.
Check out the seven-day free trial.
PRICE AND AVAILABILITY
Drive Thru History Adventures is available for $12.99 month or $124.99 per year.
Social Media Links
Facebook: http://facebook.com/drivethruhistory/
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