Why Buy an iPad...

I am not a Mac person, I like Excel too much. I don't believe Excel for Mac is even a real product. I have not been an Apple fan either. I do not like video games, I think they turn kid's brains to mush, are addictive and cause behavioral issues, plus I cannot justify the cost. I do not even like the boys to spend much time on the computer. They spend nearly no time on them other than watching the videos I've created for Spanish and CC Review.  All our curricula is still workbook/book based.

With that being said, our adventure into the 21st Century started last year. We bought a Kindle for one simple reason:  I rationalized that it would save a couple thousand dollars and the space of about 300 books.  Specifically, the entire collection of R.M. Ballantine and G.A. Hentry was available on Kindle for Free/$8 ($4 each collection in MOBI format) vs. thousands for the hardback versions.

The Kindle has been nice but it is only a book reader and only in black and white.  I really like how easy it is on the eyes but I'm starting to realize the limitations.

My father-in-law (henceforth known as "FIL"), whom lives with us, bought an iPad first.  My then 18 month old was enamored and quickly figured out how to use it and switch between a couple toddler apps my FIL downloaded for him.  He quickly started to monopolize my FILs iPad at night, so my FIL graciously bought one for him/us.  

I really didn't expect to find much use for it, but if my FIL wanted to get it to make his life easier that was fine.

Tip on Buying:  Go to the Apple Refurbished Store to save hundreds of dollars and they have the same warranty as the new ones.  Also 16GB iPad 1, is fine for 99% of people, which will save you even more.

So the two year old now has his own ipad and of course that did not go unnoticed by his two older brothers. At this point I started looking at the different apps available and I was amazed at the breadth of educational apps.  It has a color reader too, and a kindle app.  However, I will note here that I do have eye strain if I try to read too long on the iPad vs. my Kindle. It's easy to bring anywhere, weighs about the same as my Kindle.  We can prop it up on the table to watch a quick education video on youtube, and I plan on using it with the PDF based Chemistry Science Curricula I bought for the fall.  In short it is much more useful than I ever imagined and in the long run much cheaper than a Wii, DS, etc. since apps are between Free-$5 vs. $35-$50 for games systems that have little education value.

Here are some of our favorite apps:

Issac Newton's Gravity:  "Got Gravity? Challenge yourself with the amazing physics puzzles in Isaac Newton's Gravity HD! Arrange your objects to hit the trigger and win! Make as many attempts as you want, but cleverness and creativity are key".
In addition to learning to solve over 100 interesting puzzles, you can also create your own puzzles.  My boys particularly like this part and I think its great because it allows them to apply what they've learned about physics but solving the other puzzles.  My two year old will even mess with the easier levels, once he's seen someone do it.  However, we encourage not using the "Hint" button for the older kids. After many months my 8 year old has completed all 100 levels (with dad's help) but I have to admit, they have to wait for dad because I can seldom solve them :-)

Cut the Rope HD:  "A mysterious package has arrived, and the little monster inside has only one request…CANDY! Help get the candy to Om Nom, the lovable star of the game, in this highly innovative and addictive puzzle game. Combining outstanding physics, devilishly tricky levels, and bright colorful High Definition visuals, Cut the Rope is one of the most original and fun-filled games on the App Store."
This game is not only adorable but very educational using more angular physics than "Issac Newton Gravity".  I also like that there are no hints, so the boys can't "cheat".  This is a game I CAN do and enjoy it just as much as the boys.

Dinosaur Chess:  Learn to Play!:  "Dinosaur Chess is the fun way to learn and play chess: Learn how to play chess with 11 bite-sized interactive lessons.  Over 20 mini games and puzzles. Play simplified and full chess."
I remember having an electronic chess game when I was a kid, and frankly it cheated.  When the boys showed an interest in learning, I first looked at similar games and apparently they had not made huge advancements (i.e. some still cheated), they were expensive and took up a lot of space but then I found this.  They boys love it!  First it teaches how to move each piece then gets into some of the lesser known moves and strategies.

Monkey Preschool Lunchbox:  This covers all the basic preschool skill:  Colors, Shapes, Letters, Matching, Counting, Puzzle and Spot the difference exercises.  This is the game Titus started using, I was amazed how quickly he could manipulate the game all by himself.  In short its cute, educational and has enough variety to keep the little ones interested for more than 30 seconds.

Stack the States:  "Stack the States makes learning about the 50 states fun! Watch the states actually come to life in this colorful and dynamic game! As you learn state capitals, shapes, geographic locations and more, you can actually touch, move and drop the animated states anywhere on the screen. Carefully build a stack of states that reaches the checkered line to win each level. You earn a random state for every successfully completed level. All of your states appear on your own personalized map of the United States. Try to collect all 50! As you earn more states, you begin to unlock the three free bonus games: Pile Up, Puzzler and Capital Drop. Four games in one!"
This game is a great accompaniment to CC Geography this year.  

Update - American History

I didn't get as far on my "Plan" as I hoped this summer but I did make progress. The "Plan" was to complete my American History Curricula the "The Mighty Works of God: Self Government  A Child's History of the United States of America" by the end of summer.  However,  I did get about half way.

This curricula continues to be a challenge to me because it requires so much prep-work, but the fruits I see in the boys' retention of what they have learned keeps me plugging along.  We are currently half way through Chapter 12:  Columbus.  Its taking a little while longer because i have chosen to interweave some other resources into the study.  I've incorporated portions of a Unit Study for the book "Pedro's Journal" (some bible, vocabulary, some social studies). I expanded the science section a bit by adding the two books suggested by the Helena:  

Dragons of the Deep: Ocean Monsters Past and Present  

The Ocean Book [With 24" Pull-Out Color Poster] (Wonders of Creation)

My oldest is constantly reading the Dragons of the Deep book.  My new plan is to complete the curricula by the end of the school year.  I have made the executive decision not to try and cover ALL of American History in one year.  We'll have the quick glances with the CC Memory work but I'm only going to go deep through the Pioneer Period.

Here's some of the other resources I plan to use to expand our curricula this year.

My husband is currently reading an awesome piece of Historical Fiction to the boys at night called "The Minute Boys of Lexington" by Edward Stratemeyer.  Of course, it's leading to discussions of the battles and I found these two cool historical maps to facilitate those discussions:
"Map 1" and "Map 2".

I stumbled on the idea of one book, many stories; with William Bennett's "Children's Treasury of Virtues".  At a used curriculum sale, I found two more such books to add to our American History reading. 

"The Light and the Glory" by David Manuel is definitely a different take into history.  It does approach history, like my curricula, from a providential stand point.  However, it goes a lot deeper into Columbus' other voyages and his human failures.  I've had some reservations but I think the overall message is good.  God can use anyone to accomplish his purposes and even "good Christians" can fall far when they start to collect their treasures on earth.  I plan to read these chapters out loud as we finish the corresponding chapters in our curricula

This is an activity book that goes along with the above for younger children.  I have used it to add hands on activities for the boys in our daily studies.

The other book I picked up is "History Stories for Children" by Dr. John W. Wayland.  This is definitely for the younger crowd, ie. K-2.  It has of 62 short reads, 25 of which apply to early American History.  

Here's an incredible animated timeline of  US. History Timeline .  It shows the development of our country, state by state, major milestones in history, Indian tribe movement and so much more.  (Note click "Play" at the top, not "Go" at the bottom)

http://www.animatedatlas.com/movie.html

Then just for fun we may try to build the "Santa Maria" out of paper for free: http://www.papertoys.com/santamaria.htm   Here's a picture of the finished product: (toward the middle of the article by Brandy at Half a Hundred Acre Wood) Santa Maria and other Paper Projects