The Best Social Studies for Gifted 7th Graders

In the 2022 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) U.S. History assessment, only 13% of eighth graders scored at or above Proficient, and 40% scored below Basic. Gifted seventh graders feel that gap in a different way: they detect oversimplification, missing voices, and assignments that reward memorized dates instead of analysis. Parents often want a program that treats history as evidence, strengthens writing and discussion, and stays secular and academically grounded.

We reviewed scope and sequence, lesson samples, source notes, reading lists, and the quality of student work each program generates. We prioritized programs that move beyond “one story,” center primary sources, and support meaningful projects. For advanced learners, we also looked for optional acceleration: richer texts, deeper prompts, and a clear path from curiosity to real research.

Best overall: Blossom and Root A River of Voices: The History of the United States Vol. 1

How we vetted

At Modulo, we vet social studies the same way we vet science: we start with the claims a curriculum makes, then we test what it asks kids to do. Strong programs build habits of mind, including sourcing, corroboration, contextualization, map reading, and clear argument writing. We read the teacher materials, scan the book list for author expertise and representation, and look for transparency around sources. We also screen for secular framing and avoidance of propaganda. Finally, we evaluate day to day usability: prep time, materials, pacing flexibility, and whether a program supports both rich discussion and independent work for learners who move fast.

• Historically accurate: River of Voices uses curated narratives and primary sources and repeatedly asks students to ground claims in evidence.
• Engaging: The lessons lean on stories, discussion prompts, and hands on activities that keep advanced learners thinking.
• Secular: The program approaches U.S. history through scholarship and documented perspectives rather than doctrine.
• Comprehensive: Volume 1 spans early European colonies through 1791 and lays a coherent foundation for later U.S. history.
• Inclusive: The narrative centers Indigenous peoples and other historically marginalized groups and treats power, land, and labor as core themes.
• Aligned with standards: The work naturally supports common middle school expectations such as analyzing sources, comparing viewpoints, and writing evidence based explanations.

Our top choice overall Blossom and Root A River of Voices

Blossom and Root’s A River of Voices Vol. 1 is a secular U.S. history curriculum built around inclusive narratives, primary sources, and thoughtful discussion. The program is designed for younger grades, yet the advanced pathway and book based structure scale well into middle school when a parent raises the expectations for sources and writing. It covers the earliest European colonies through 1791 and offers multiple pacing pathways, including a more advanced track that suits gifted seventh graders who want depth. The lesson design makes it easy to level up: keep the core readings, then add longer primary sources, a weekly written claim with citations, and a map or timeline artifact. Parents consistently praise the program for challenging standard textbook narratives while staying age aware and humane. As of March 2026, the digital curriculum costs about $36, and the best value comes from using the library for the book list. Plan on parent facilitation for discussion, plus a bit of prep to gather books.

Watch: This interview with Blossom and Root founder Kristina Garner shows how she thinks about curriculum design and teaching history with integrity.

What parents like

Parents describe River of Voices as thoughtful, inclusive, and genuinely engaging for kids who crave substance. They also appreciate that the curriculum treats hard topics with care while still telling the truth.

• The curriculum centers multiple perspectives, including Indigenous experiences, instead of treating them as side notes.
• Primary sources and discussion prompts push students to ask “How do we know?” rather than accept a single narrative.
• The structure stays flexible, which helps families adapt pacing and deepen work for accelerated learners.
• The book list supports rich read alouds and independent reading, which often becomes the heart of the course.
• Many families report stronger historical empathy and better conversations at the table.

What parents want improved or find frustrating

Parents who want an open and go course with every reading included sometimes find the logistics demanding. Some also want more built in multimedia and more explicit writing instruction.

• The program relies on outside books, so families need the library, used book shopping, or substitutions.
• Gifted seventh graders often need added writing, longer sources, and independent research to reach full challenge.
• Families who prefer tests, quizzes, and grading rubrics need to add their own assessment system.
• Some parents report that certain book recommendations go out of print, which adds friction to planning.
• Text heavy weeks can feel intense for students who prefer more visuals or movement.

Alternatives to Blossom and Root A River of Voices for different learners

BrainPOP

BrainPOP is a multimedia platform with short animated videos, quizzes, and interactive features across history, geography, civics, and current events. It works well for app oriented learners who like quick lessons, immediate feedback, and a clean interface. For gifted seventh graders, BrainPOP shines as a high quality overview and a launchpad for deeper inquiry: watch a video, take the quiz, then pivot into a primary source set, a debate, or a short essay. As of March 2026, BrainPOP Family (grades three through eight) costs about $129 per year, with a combo option that adds BrainPOP Jr. for about $159 per year. The value is strong when a family uses it across subjects. It feels light when BrainPOP serves as the entire social studies plan without added reading and writing.

Pros

• The videos deliver clear background knowledge fast, which frees time for deeper discussion and projects.
• Quizzes and related activities give students quick feedback and a sense of progress.
• The platform covers a wide range of topics, so it supports spiraled review and curiosity driven exploration.
• Kids often stay engaged because the lessons feel polished and approachable.

Cons

• Gifted learners often outgrow the depth unless a parent adds primary sources and writing.
• A subscription model adds ongoing cost, especially for larger families.
• Some topics feel simplified, which limits nuance and sustained argument building.
• Screen based delivery needs boundaries for families managing attention and device fatigue.

History Unboxed Full History Curriculum

History Unboxed delivers hands on history kits that combine readings, projects, games, crafts, and often recipes, with options across ancient history, the Middle Ages, and American history. This format fits families who want history to live on the table: artifacts, models, maps, and creative work. It also supports mixed ages because activities scale. For gifted seventh graders, the kit becomes a spine for deep dives: add longer nonfiction, primary sources, and an ongoing written notebook. Pricing varies by bundle and shipping. As of March 2026, single boxes run about $59.95, subscriptions start around $55.95 per month, and full year bundles range from about $575 to over $1,000 depending on the era. The value is strongest for families who want materials curated and delivered and who plan to use the hands on components consistently.

Pros

• The kits create memorable learning through making, building, and doing.
• Families get curated materials and a clear plan, which reduces research time.
• The program supports multiple ages and allows easy acceleration through reading level upgrades.
• Many parents report that reluctant writers engage more after a strong hands on entry point.

Cons

• Cost and shipping add up quickly, especially for full year bundles.
• Supplies, projects, and finished artifacts take space and create cleanup work.
• The hands on emphasis needs consistent time blocks to feel worth the investment.
• Families who want a text centered course can find the craft load distracting.

Digital Inquiry Group

Digital Inquiry Group, formerly the Stanford History Education Group, publishes free inquiry driven lessons that teach students to read like historians. For seventh grade, its “Reading Like a Historian” lessons and “Civic Online Reasoning” materials fit gifted learners who enjoy debate, evidence, and real world questions. DIG lessons use primary sources with structured prompts, which makes them ideal for building rigorous habits without buying a full curriculum. This also makes it easy to match state standards, since the skills overlap across history, civics, and geography. DIG’s materials have been downloaded more than 15 million times and are used across all fifty states, which reflects both quality and reach. Cost is free, and the value is exceptional. The main tradeoff is planning: parents assemble the year, print materials, and facilitate discussion to get the best outcomes.

Pros

• Primary source sets build real historical thinking skills, including sourcing and corroboration.
• The lessons feel intellectually serious, which respects advanced learners.
• The entire library is free, which makes it easy to scale and experiment.
• Civic Online Reasoning directly supports modern media literacy and online research skills.

Cons

• Parents carry the load of sequencing lessons into a coherent year plan.
• Some activities assume classroom discussion norms, so families need to adapt facilitation.
• Printing and managing documents adds friction for some households.
• Text heavy sources can overwhelm students who need more scaffolded reading support.

History Quest United States

History Quest United States is a narrative chapter book that covers U.S. history from pre European civilizations to the early two thousands and includes civics, culture, and major turning points. The writing style keeps the tone accessible, which makes it a solid spine for families who want a screen free overview before moving into deeper analysis. For gifted seventh graders, the strongest approach is to treat each chapter as a launching point: add one primary source, one map task, and one written response per chapter. As of March 2026, the book costs about $36.99. The value is strong for families who want a single readable text and plan to add discussion and projects. Families who want an explicitly inquiry driven structure or high volume writing may prefer River of Voices or DIG as the core.

Pros

• The narrative keeps momentum, which helps students build a coherent timeline.
• The book includes big picture civics and cultural context alongside events.
• It works well as a family read aloud, which supports rich discussion.
• Cost stays low for a full U.S. history overview.

Cons

• The program depends on parent added projects for deeper skill building.
• Gifted learners need more primary sources and analytical writing to stay challenged.
• Families who prefer a full lesson plan structure need to create their own schedule.
• The tone can feel young for some seventh graders unless the parent adds more complex extensions.

Thinkwell

Thinkwell offers video based online courses, including high school level government and economics, taught by expert instructors with structured lessons and automated grading. For gifted seventh graders ready for acceleration, Thinkwell functions as an on ramp into serious civics and government content, with the benefit of clear explanations and a consistent workload. As of March 2026, an Honors American Government course runs about $169 for twelve months of access. The value is strongest for independent learners who thrive with lectures and structured practice, and for parents who want external instruction without outsourcing to a live class. Families who want project based learning, discussion heavy seminars, or frequent feedback from a teacher need to add those elements at home. Thinkwell fits best as a focused civics block within a broader social studies plan.

Pros

• The courses provide a high school level scope, which matches accelerated learners.
• Video instruction reduces parent teaching load while keeping structure and pacing.
• Built in assessments make it easier to document progress for transcripts.
• Students can move efficiently through content and revisit lectures for review.

Cons

• The courses are screen based and require sustained attention and self management.
• Real time discussion and feedback depend on the family, since the course runs asynchronously.
• Some students want more interactive simulations and collaborative work.
• The content level can feel intense for learners who prefer story driven history.

Homeschooling social studies for gifted seventh graders

Gifted learners tend to spot patterns quickly, ask sophisticated ethical questions, and push for precision in language. Social studies becomes a perfect home for that intensity when the work moves beyond recall and into claims, evidence, and perspective taking. Signs that a gifted student needs a different approach include impatience with repetitive worksheets, deep curiosity about “why people did that,” and strong reactions to injustice or hypocrisy in historical narratives. A practical solution is compacting: skim the overview, then invest time in deeper tasks such as document analysis, debate, and research writing. Build a weekly rhythm that includes one primary source set, one map or data visualization, one sustained writing task, and one conversation that connects history to current events. Keep the output authentic: letters to local officials, museum style exhibits, short podcasts, or annotated bibliographies.

Watch: This conversation offers a clear framework for supporting gifted and twice exceptional learners while keeping academics humane and sustainable.

Unschooling social studies

Unschooling social studies works best when families treat the world as the syllabus and keep a record of what the student investigates. Start with a question that matters to your child: land use, migration, policing, labor, language, food, elections, or the history of a sport. Then build outward with fieldwork, books, and primary sources. University libraries and public library databases often provide excellent entry points through Asian Studies, African Studies, Indigenous Studies, and local history collections. Encourage your student to interview relatives or community elders, collect oral histories, and place them on a timeline alongside national events. Use mapping as a core tool: create a Google Earth tour of trade routes, migrations, or local neighborhoods over time. The key is synthesis. End each month with a product that forces the student to organize evidence, such as a zine, an exhibit board, a documentary short, or a formal essay.

Why DEI is common sense

High quality social studies depends on evidence and on the discipline of asking who gets to speak in the record. A curriculum that centers only famous leaders and dominant groups produces a distorted account of how societies function, because it ignores the people who grow food, build roads, fight wars, resist oppression, and shape culture. Inclusive history strengthens academic rigor: it expands the source base, introduces competing interpretations, and trains students to evaluate power, incentives, and bias. That skill set matters in adulthood, regardless of politics. Employers need people who can collaborate across difference, read complex situations, and communicate with precision. Civic life demands the same. Culture war framing pressures families to treat scholarship as ideology. A stronger approach is methodological: teach your child to ask for primary sources, compare accounts, and track how narratives change over time. DEI in social studies functions as intellectual honesty.

Should you leave out hard truths? How to homeschool social studies for sensitive students

Gifted seventh graders often insist on the truth, and they also feel the emotional weight of injustice. A strong approach keeps the content accurate and adds structure for processing. The Bank Street developmental interaction tradition treats social studies as a bridge between a child’s lived experience and the wider world, with careful attention to emotional safety, community, and inquiry. In practice, that means previewing difficult material, naming what is coming, and offering space for questions and reflection. Use concrete sources and avoid sensationalism. Pair painful history with stories of resistance, solidarity, and change so that students see agency alongside harm. Keep conversations grounded in action: write to a representative, volunteer locally, or support a community organization that aligns with your family’s values. Sensitive learners benefit from shorter readings, more discussion, and clear boundaries around graphic detail, while the historical truths remain intact.

Watch: This episode models practical language for talking with kids about war, fear, and constructive action without minimizing reality.

More alternatives and add ons for seventh grade social studies

History Unboxed American History Curriculum

History Unboxed American History packages U.S. history into a sequence of project rich boxes with reading lists and step by step plans. It fits families who want a tangible, hands on approach to U.S. history, especially when a child engages through building, cooking, crafting, and visual design. For gifted seventh graders, the American history boxes pair well with higher level nonfiction and primary sources, plus a weekly written argument. As of March 2026, the full American History curriculum bundle costs about $575.40 for twelve boxes, with subscription options also available. The value is strongest when the family uses the included materials fully and keeps an organized storage system for ongoing artifacts. Families who prefer a library centered, text based plan often find River of Voices more cost efficient.

Pros

• The boxes create strong engagement through artifacts and projects tied to real historical themes.
• Curated readings and plans reduce parent research time.
• The format supports mixed ages and allows easy extension work for advanced students.
• The program adds a hands on layer to U.S. history that many kids remember for years.

Cons

• The cost is high compared with digital curricula and library based spines.
• Shipping, supplies, and project storage require planning and space.
• Some families prefer more direct writing instruction and formal assessment.
• Time demands grow when a family completes every project in a box.

History Unboxed Ancient History Curriculum

History Unboxed Ancient History covers early civilizations through project based boxes that combine readings, crafts, games, and hands on builds. This option fits families who want a world history arc and a tactile approach to topics such as Mesopotamia, Egypt, the Indus Valley, China, Greece, and Rome. For gifted seventh graders, ancient history becomes a powerful laboratory for argument and evidence: build a model, then analyze governance, trade, and technology using primary sources and archaeology based nonfiction. As of March 2026, the full Ancient History curriculum bundle costs about $1,019.16 for eighteen boxes. The value is strongest for families committed to long term use and consistent projects. Families on tighter budgets can use DIG and library books to reach similar intellectual depth with less expense.

Pros

• The kit format keeps ancient history concrete and memorable through making and building.
• Curated plans and readings support parents who want structure without designing everything from scratch.
• Activities scale across ages, which helps families teaching multiple children.
• The content invites rich comparisons across civilizations, which suits advanced learners.

Cons

• Full year pricing is significant, especially with shipping and storage.
• The program requires consistent time blocks to complete projects meaningfully.
• Some students prefer more direct reading and writing and less crafting.
• Families still need to add primary sources and sustained writing for full middle school rigor.

History Unboxed Middle Ages Curriculum

History Unboxed Middle Ages focuses on the medieval world with boxes that include readings, projects, and cultural exploration across regions. This fits seventh grade standards in many states, since world history often centers the Middle Ages and early global trade. The curriculum also lends itself to deeper inquiry about power, religion, technology, and migration. For gifted students, pair each box with one longer nonfiction source, one primary source excerpt, and a written claim that connects the topic to a bigger theme such as state formation or economic change. As of March 2026, the full Middle Ages curriculum bundle costs about $671.40 for twelve boxes, with semester bundles and subscription options available. The value is strongest for families who want a structured, global medieval course with built in projects and curated supplies.

Pros

• The projects make medieval history tangible through models, art, and cultural artifacts.
• The curriculum supports global perspectives, which helps students avoid a narrow Europe only narrative.
• Families can choose a semester bundle or a full year, which improves flexibility.
• Gifted students can extend work easily through deeper reading and analytical writing.

Cons

• The kits require space, cleanup, and consistent project time.
• Cost stays higher than book based curricula, especially with shipping.
• Parents still need to add formal writing instruction and assessment if those goals matter.
• Some students prefer discussion and texts over crafting and building.

History Quest Early Times

History Quest Early Times is a long chapter book that surveys ancient civilizations and early world history in an accessible narrative style. It is designed for grades one through four as a read aloud and grade five plus as independent reading, so it often feels easy for gifted seventh graders. That ease can become an advantage when a student needs a coherent overview before deeper work. Use it as a rapid spine, then add document analysis, maps, and one sustained research project on a civilization, trade network, or technological innovation. As of March 2026, the book costs about $36.99. The value is strong for families who want a screen free narrative overview and plan to add rigor through writing and primary sources. Families seeking middle school level analysis inside the core text may prefer DIG.

Pros

• The narrative helps students build an overall timeline of early world history.
• The book supports family read alouds and discussion without screens.
• Cost stays low for a full year style overview.
• It works well as a fast spine for a student who wants to move quickly into deeper research.

Cons

• The reading level can feel young for advanced seventh graders.
• The program needs parent added primary sources and writing for rigor.
• Families who want daily lesson plans need to build their own schedule.
• Students who dislike narrative history often prefer inquiry based source work.

History Quest Middle Times

History Quest Middle Times surveys the Middle Ages across regions with a story driven approach designed for younger grades but usable as a quick overview for older students. It is written for grades one through four read aloud and grade five plus independent reading. For gifted seventh graders, it works best as a backbone for a medieval unit that adds depth through primary sources, biographies, and thematic essays. Pair chapters with map work on trade routes, a comparative study of governance systems, and one sustained writing project on a question such as “What drives state power?” or “How do religions spread?” As of March 2026, the book costs about $34.99. The value is strong for families who want a coherent medieval narrative without screens and who enjoy building extensions. Families who want a fully planned middle school course with documents and argument writing built in may prefer DIG or History Unboxed.

Pros

• The narrative gives students a clear chronological framework for medieval history.
• Families can read aloud together, which supports discussion and shared context.
• It supports fast pacing for advanced learners who want to move into research quickly.
• The cost stays accessible for a long text.

Cons

• The core text alone does not deliver middle school level analysis for gifted students.
• Parents need to add primary sources, writing, and projects for rigor.
• Some students find long narrative chapters less engaging than documents and debate.
• Families seeking an open and go daily plan need to build a schedule.

Google Earth

Google Earth is a free interactive globe and mapping tool that strengthens geography, spatial reasoning, and place based understanding in every social studies course. It works as an add on that upgrades almost any curriculum: trace migration routes, annotate trade networks, measure distances, examine terrain, and build student created tours that link places to historical events. For gifted seventh graders, Google Earth supports sophisticated outputs such as geospatial arguments, annotated map portfolios, and data rich presentations that connect environment to human decisions. Cost is free, and the value is high because it integrates across history, civics, and science. The main limitation is structure. Google Earth is a tool, not a curriculum, so parents need to supply prompts and guardrails. Families managing screen time also need clear boundaries, since exploration can sprawl.

Pros

• It makes geography concrete and supports deeper historical understanding through place.
• Students can create tours and annotated maps, which produces authentic work products.
• The tool integrates smoothly with any history or civics curriculum.
• Cost is free, which makes it an easy upgrade for most families.

Cons

• It requires parent designed prompts and projects to stay focused.
• Students can get lost in exploration without clear goals and time limits.
• Some features depend on reliable internet and a capable device.
• Families seeking a screen free plan may prefer paper atlases and hands on mapping.

Google News

Google News supports current events study and media literacy, which is a core social studies need for seventh graders. Used well, it turns the news into a weekly seminar: students track a topic, compare coverage across outlets, identify claims and evidence, and learn to spot misinformation. This is a strong complement to DIG’s Civic Online Reasoning approach, especially for gifted learners who want to debate and analyze real time events. Cost is free and the value depends on routines. Families who set a consistent weekly structure see strong gains in argument writing and civic reasoning. Families who open the app without scaffolding often get overwhelmed by volume, bias, and emotionally heavy stories. The key is curation: choose one topic, set time limits, and require a written summary plus a sourced claim each week.

Pros

• It connects social studies to real world events, which increases relevance and motivation.
• Comparing sources builds strong critical reading habits.
• Cost is free and the tool works across devices.
• It supports excellent writing practice through weekly summaries and sourced claims.

Cons

• Students need guidance to manage bias, sensationalism, and emotionally heavy content.
• News volume can overwhelm learners without a clear routine and limits.
• The tool does not provide structured lessons, so parents need to design assignments.
• Screen time can rise quickly without a plan.

Universal Yums

Universal Yums is a monthly snack box that introduces kids to countries through food, short readings, and cultural context. Used intentionally, it becomes a strong world cultures add on: taste the foods, read the booklet, map the country, and research one historical or civic topic connected to that place. Gifted seventh graders can turn each box into a mini case study with a written brief on geography, governance, and recent history. Pricing varies by box size and subscription length. As of March 2026, the smallest box often starts around $18 per month on longer plans, and larger boxes rise into the $40 range depending on plan length. The value is highest for families who treat it as a structured project rather than a snack night. Dietary restrictions and shipping logistics matter, so some families prefer to build a similar experience from an international grocery store.

Pros

• The sensory experience increases engagement and makes world cultures feel concrete.
• The monthly rhythm provides an easy anchor for geography and current events routines.
• It supports strong research projects when families add mapping and writing.
• Many kids become more curious about global issues after connecting them to food and daily life.

Cons

• Food allergies, dietary needs, and ingredient concerns limit usability for some families.
• The educational value depends on parent added structure and follow up.
• Subscription costs add up over time, especially for larger boxes.
• Shipping delays and damaged items can create frustration.

Social Studies standards for seventh grade

Seventh grade standards vary by state, yet most share a common skill and content backbone that families can plan around.

• Historical thinking: Analyze causes and consequences, compare interpretations, and build evidence based explanations.
• Primary sources: Evaluate who created a source, why it exists, and how context shapes meaning.
• Geography: Use maps and data to explain how environment, resources, and human systems shape events.
• Civics: Explain rights and responsibilities, institutions, and how laws and policies affect communities.
• Economics: Use basic concepts such as scarcity, incentives, trade, and labor to interpret history and current events.
• Research and communication: Write arguments, cite sources, and present findings in clear formats.

What's the point of social studies? How to convince your kid to learn social studies

Motivation rises when a student understands the purpose of the work. Social studies teaches a child to read the world: who holds power, how decisions get made, why people migrate, why conflicts start, and how societies change. That knowledge has practical value in daily life, from voting to understanding a contract, from spotting misinformation to making sense of the economy. It also has personal value. History and civics help kids build identity, empathy, and a clearer sense of what they stand for. For a seventh grader who resists, keep the message concrete. Try: “Social studies is the user manual for humans. When you learn how societies work, you can spot patterns, protect yourself from manipulation, and choose the adult you want to become. This week, you pick the question, and we find the evidence.” Then follow through with choice, debate, and real outputs.

Research projects for gifted seventh graders in social studies

Gifted students thrive when social studies ends in a product that matters. These projects build research skills, synthesis, and clear communication.

• Primary source case file: Curate five to eight documents on one event and write a brief that argues what happened and why, with citations.
• Google Earth story map: Build a narrated tour of a migration, trade route, or conflict and connect geography to human decisions.
• Oral history archive: Interview a community member, transcribe key moments, and place the story in historical context using outside sources.
• Media bias investigation: Track one news story across outlets for two weeks and write an analysis of claims, framing, and evidence.
• Comparative revolution study: Compare two revolutions and argue how class, race, economics, and global forces shaped outcomes.

Further exploration

Start with our comprehensive guide, The Best Social Studies for Kids, which explains how we think about history, civics, geography, and digital literacy as one integrated subject. For families building a long term plan, The best history programs for kids offers a wider set of history spines and deeper context for picking a sequence. Gifted learners often show asynchronous development, so 🌈 Cognitive Diversity and homeschooling helps families match challenge level to the child in front of them. If your family prefers a modular approach, 💻 The essential homeschooling suite covers the core tools we see families use consistently across subjects. For help building sustainable routines, How to get back your TIME as a parent is a practical complement to any curriculum decision.

About your guide

Manisha Rose Snoyer is the founder of Modulo and the writer behind Teach Your Kids. She spent fifteen years teaching in public and private schools in New York City and Paris and working as a private tutor, then shifted into full time curriculum research and modular education design. She has logged over ten thousand hours vetting programs and over fifteen thousand hours testing them with students through Modulo’s tutoring and curriculum work. Her reviews focus on pedagogy, accuracy, cognitive science, and the lived reality of teaching at home, including prep time, student independence, and long term skill building. In social studies, her work emphasizes evidence based historical thinking, inclusive scholarship, and the practical civic skills kids need to navigate modern media and public life.

Affiliate disclaimer: Some links in this post are affiliate links, which means Modulo earns a commission if you purchase through them at no extra cost to you. Our recommendations reflect independent review and we do not accept paid placement.