Roman Town
(software game by Dig-It)

     Learning history right along with my children has been one of my favorite things about educating the girls at home!  Especially since I didn't really learn ancient history, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and the Reformation when I attended public school, most of what we've learned so far has been brand new to me. 

     When the girls and I studied ancient Rome about four years ago, I actually found the Dig-It website or something very similar, that offered a computer game to help children learn about ancient Roman history and culture.  At the time, we didn't have extra dollars to buy something like this, although I thought it looked wonderful.  I knew that my daughters would have loved it, one of them for the historical aspect of it, and one of them because it was a game on the computer.  ☺

     This winter, we've been able to use and review Roman Town at home, thanks to Dig-It.

     I have nothing negative to say for this historical computer software!  How's that for giving a "two-thumbs-up" review?  It is obviously interactive, as you'll see in the video below; it is definitely educational.  So many aspects of Roman culture have been explored in this one game.  My daughters have really enjoyed playing it! 

     Okay, well, I just thought of one negative.  Kelsi finished playing the entire game in about 2-3 hours over two days' time.  She wished that there had been more levels in the entire game.  She may receive her wish at some point in the future!

     Here's an overview of Roman Town:

     Roman Town helps children (and adults!) dive into archeology head first.  In fact, the entire game is focused on the role of archeology in discovering more about past cultures.  Brittany has always loved a mystery challenge or some problem to solve, so this was right up her alley.  Kelsi has always claimed history as her #1 subject to study in school, so she played the game for quite a long time until we would remind her it was time to do something else.  We allowed the girls to use some of their free time during Christmas vacation to play Roman Town, and it was nice that they could learn so much without really considering it "learning."

FEATURES OF ROMAN TOWN:

• Engaging hands-on, interactive learning 
• Game-play develops analytical thinking 
• Puzzles teach problem solving strategies
• Authentic artifacts and realistic excavation site
• Accurate information about Roman Life and Roman History
• Encompasses the full excavation experience from start to finish
• Archaeology introduced logically

     In the video below, you'll see a reconstruction project in the game, as well as some other pieces of video that your children will find.

Below, you'll see a PDF file from Dig-It, explaining more about their company and about their goals for children using Roman Town.

Roman Town Educator's Manual

    The ROMAN TOWN EDUCATOR'S MANUAL (download for $19.95) makes it a breeze to use Roman Town as a learning tool.  Want to teach with Roman Town but have no background in archaeology or ancient Rome?  The Educator's Manual is here to help!  Providing valuable background information on archaeology and Roman life, the Educator's Manual is an easy-to-use supplement to Roman Town.  The Manual contains: playing instructions, an introduction to archaeology, a comprehensive glossary, and fun activities and discussion ideas to expand your lessons.  Information in the manual is presented in an easy reading style appropriate for both kids and adults.

     If you decide to purchase Roman Town for your family, I'd love to know how you like it!  I teach Latin classes to local homeschooling families, and many of the cultural information I've shared with my classes is also found in Roman Town.   We think this is a great computer game for families, and we are hoping that Dig-It will consider adding additional levels of exploration in years to come!

     Do you use any educational computer games in your home to enhance your child's public, private, or homeschooling?  If so, which ones do you enjoy the most?

Disclosure:  As a member of the TOS Crew, I received a free copy of Dig-It's Roman Town computer game for the purpose of providing you with an honest, thorough review of the game.  No other compensation was provided.