TOS Review- Brainfood Learning

Today, I am reviewing the DVD "The Fascinating World of Mammals" by BrainFood Learning.

I will preface any remarks with the fact that we are animal lovers in this household and jumped at the chance to review this program.  My husband is lovingly nicknamed "Postman Doolittle," as he literally has neighborhood cats and dogs follow him for love and treats.  We are one of those families that takes in caterpillars so they can safely make their chrysalis.  We spoil our cats rotten.  My middle son wants to be a veterinarian.  This review was offered with us in mind, lol!  :-)

This DVD was a delightful and educational introduction to mammals.  It was engaging and informative and fun to watch.  All of my children watched it, even the older ones and it kept their attention.  I learned SO much watching it along with them.  I had no idea that a giraffe was a ruminant and that you can tell the sex of the animal by looking at its horns!  How about the fact that elephants shake their trunks the way we shake hands and that dolphins have their ears inside their heads.  I didn't know that, either.  :-)

I love that the company was started by a couple who had difficulty finding entertaining and educational videos for their children, so they decided to make them themselves. 

The DVD menu has several options: play all, individual mammals and review.  If 'play all' is selected, there is a general introduction and then descriptions and facts about mammals.  After this portion, the viewer is treated to amazing facts about individual mammals, including giraffes, elephants, dolphins, bats, lions and chimpanzees.  If you choose an individual mammal from the menu, it will bypss the introductory information.  Each animal's segment is comprised of both video and still image photography that are both absolutely beautiful.

There are also lesson plans available under the curriculum tab on the website that include teaching ideas and worksheets that correspond to the video.  :-) 

There are vocabulary and scientific words introduced after each animal, and multi-level "quizzing" at the end of the program.  The flashcards would be appropriate for a younger child.  Kiddo #3 enjoyed the vocabulary quiz and was so very proud that he knew all 11 terms!  :-)

The recommended age for the video is 3-11, but the older children and I enjoyed it just as much!  I would truly say it is for all ages.  It is available for $14.99.  There are also videos available on birds and insects, which some of my colleagues have reviewed.  By clicking on the icon below, you can read reviews on all 3 products.  

Since two of my children completed their Apologia Zoology 3 this year, the video was especially applicable as a enriching review of what they had learned.  They are already asking me to purchase the one on birds, as we are set to begin the Zoology 1 book soon!

Click below for a preview!  :-)