New Evan-Moor Top Student Workbook Review!
A review of the fun, new multi-subject activity workbooks from Evan-Moor. How do they match up to other workbooks, like Brain Quest? Is my kid going to enjoy them, or are they going to sit on my shelf of workbook-shame?
I'm a self-professed workbook addict.
Seriously, I can't be trusted in the book aisle at Costco, because when they have those beautiful, shiny stacks lined up, I just can't resist them...whether we need them or not. And honestly, typically we don't. Not that that stops me. But in reality, while we do sometimes use workbooks to supplement other curriculum, or when we need physical samples to turn in for our charter school, we don't use them as our primary learning method.
That being said, I've pared down our stash recently because there are a lot that were just sitting neglected on the shelf, collecting dust. The ones that I've kept, and actually made room for on the shelf, are all Evan-Moor! So of course I couldn't resist these new Top Student workbooks that just came out. They looked so amazing, and they did not disappoint!
These workbooks are huge, at almost 340 pages each, so they're a great value. I think my favorite thing about them is that where other comprehensive workbooks stop at Math, Language Arts, Science and some Social Studies (the latter two usually being small inclusions) the Top Student workbooks include ALL of that, PLUS Computer Science (which is basically beginning coding), Mindful Moments and Social & Emotional learning.
Yes. A mainstream workbook that includes coding, as well as placing emphasis on the importance of mindfulness and social and emotional learning! I'm blown away by that. And it's goooood too, guys. The Grade 1 workbook begins to introduce the patterns in coding, while the Grade 3 introduces the concepts of algorithm and binary code. Coding even makes sense to me when I'm looking through these pages! And the Mindful Moments and Social & Emotional learning pages are just as amazing.
Yes. A mainstream workbook that includes coding, as well as placing emphasis on the importance of mindfulness and social and emotional learning!
I really love how they break them down for each age group.
And they even change the graphics up, so that the 3rd graders don't feel like they're being given 'babyish' instructions.
What I'm finding that I really like about these vs the Brain Quest for example (not that I'm picking on those guys, they're just the most comparable workbook out right now, and we've used many of them in the past so it's something I'm confident comparing for you) is that these somehow actually feel really engaging, and less like 'busy work'. The graphics are fun and bright, but not overwhelming and each page is really balanced with just the right amount of information or work.
More importantly, I feel like they cover more challenging and thought-provoking material but in a really age-appropriate and interesting way!
The books even include STEM challenges that include really doable instructions (and pretty basic materials that you should have at home) with really clear focus on the process,
so they aren't just results based.
This is the ideal way to teach the basics of the scientific process,
and project-type learning, so I love how they laid these challenges out.
They cover more challenging and thought-provoking material but in a really age-appropriate and interesting way!
These books would be perfect summer-slide prevention, or just as a great supplement to your homeschool curriculum. I can't wait to see how much my kids love diving into this and adding to their learning in fun, new ways.
(If you want a closer look, head to my Instagram page to look for the flip through! I'll do a little more in depth comparison of the 1st Grade vs 3rd)
(You can also get the Evan-Moor titles directly from them if Amazon is out, and be sure to check out their amazing Teacher File Box, if you always want a steady stream of printables and resources. You get access to over 450 of their books worth of material!! )