We are familiar with videos from Marshall Publishing from previous reviews. They have a reputation of making high quality videos – educational and entertaining. When we were presented with the opportunity to review another, I knew we would enjoy it, no matter which title we received.
“America in the 1880s” may span only a decade of American history, but it is packed with many people and events. I was familiar with many, but had no idea so much happened in such a small space of time. This was truly a decade to remember.
With live re-enactments and historic photos and drawings, you are transported back in time 130-ish years ago. Seeing the fashions and listening to the music of the times was fun. We have been looking at fashion/clothing throughout history so this especially exciting for my girls. My son was not as excited. He had his turn though when we saw anything with Wyatt Earp, Jesse James, Billy the Kid, Buffalo Bill, etc. These were his favorite parts.
We study history chronologically, and are not “here” yet. To tie this in with something they were familiar with, I reminded the children of the Little House on the Prairie series we read and studied a few years ago. The time covered in “America in the 1880s” coincides with the times covered in “The Long Winter” and “The First Four Years”. It made it much more interesting to relate the events and people of the video with something they were already familiar with. Once we reach this time period in our history studies, the video will further reinforce and bring many visual images to our studies. There is even a study guide on the website to gain even more from watching “America in the 1880s“.
The video is approximately 60 minutes in length for the feature and bonus video. The study guide is targeted to 4th grade and older. While my son enjoys some parts of the video, other parts are beyond him. This is no surprise since he is only a first grader. Younger children may enjoy a casual viewing, but older elementary age and up will get the most out of it. “America in the 1880s” is listed at $24.95, but is currently on sale for $19.95. Use code TOS27 and enjoy free shipping.
The bonus video is a documentary of Alexander Graham Bell. This is not a modern production, but an archival film. That made it even more neat in my opinion. We have been periodically doing a mini-study on famous inventors. I think our next inventor will just happen to be Alexander Graham Bell. Can you imagine what he would think of our cell phones of today?
This is only one of the videos sent from Marshall Publishing to the Schoolhouse Crew for review. Other titles reviewed are “The Historic Expedition of Lewis & Clark”, “The History of the Oregon Trail and The Pony Express” and “Lots & Lots of Penguins and Their Happy Feet”. To read these reviews start at the Schoolhouse Review Crew blog.
