TOS Review: Birdcage Press

Our family loves playing games together!  We have a family game night, every night!  So, I'm always searching for high-quality, educational games. I literally squealed in excitement the first time I saw the items from  Birdcage Press.  

Founder of Birdcage Press and mother of three, Dr. Wenda O'Reilly, first began creating educational games for her own children in order to make learning more fun. Currently, Birdcage Press publishes a variety of award-winning games that make history, nature and art enjoyable for the entire family!  

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We had the opportunity to review Art Ditto. 

Recommended Age: 4+ years old

Price: $24.95

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Dr. O'Reilly updated the classic game of Memory, when she created Art Ditto.  Memory games have always been a favorite for my girls, ages 6 and 4, so they were excited to play.  

Birdcage Press, Art Ditto

Art Ditto contains a total of 48 high quality tile cards, each with a vibrant museum-quality art reproduction.  Izzie and Mac had a lot of fun playing the traditional memory game.  However, they were more intrigued by the stunning artwork and quickly started picking out which ones were their favorites. 

Birdcage Press, Art Ditto: Tile Cards

 Afterward, I introduced them to the eight large art-collecting cards, which are also included in Art Ditto.  When the art-collecting cards are used, the game is still played like Memory; however, each player is trying to locate the art on their art-collecting cards.  

Birdcage Press, Art Ditto

 

  These oversized, double-sided art-collecting cards are very well constructed and each card represents a different category: birds, boats, cats, fruit, horses, flowers, music and tigers.  Each categorical art-collecting card contains three works of art, each from a different artist.  It was very beneficial that the girls were able to see how the three different artists painted a particular subject.  

Birdcage Press, Art Ditto: Art-Collecting Cards

 The front of the art-collecting cards shows a particular detail from the painting.  In addition, underneath each artwork, there are words to describe the art in four different languages.   

Birdcage Press, Art Ditto: Front of Art-Collecting Cards

On the back of each art-collecting card, the full works of art can be seen, as well as, who painted what and when. 

Birdcage Press, Art Ditto: Back of Art-Collecting Cards

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 In conclusion, my girls loved playing Art Ditto.  They were captivated by the beauty of the artwork.  I appreciated the high-quality construction and added educational value!

Birdcage Press, Art Ditto

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Sail over to read what other Crew Mates had to say about their experience with one of many products from Birdcage Press. 

TOS Review: Christianity Cove

Christianity Cove provides online resources, such as lesson ideas, crafts, games, activities and tips for Children's Ministry.  Former Sunday School Director, Mary-Kate Warner, is the the owner and publisher of Christianity Cove.  Her goal is to provide fresh, fun, creative and inexpensive ideas to help students understand the Bible and relate it to their own lives.

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We received the following downloads from Christianity Cove: 

    

                          $29.95                                                  $29.95

Both of these products are currently on sale for $19.95 for the first 250 individuals who order. 

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Izzie, 6 years old, is currently a member of American Heritage Girls; therefore, she is encouraged to participate in community service projects throughout the year.  It's been challenging to find age-appropriate projects for her that require little help from me.  So, I was thrilled when we were offered to review 100 Simple Service Projects!  

100 Simple Service Projects is for children Pre-K through 6th grade.



The downloadable PDF contains 56 pages consisting of 100 simple children's service projects, as well as tips and advice. 

There are 5 sections, beginning with the easiest service projects and transitioning to the most involved service projects.

1.  Service to the Family 

 Mary-Kate Warner stresses that the most important lesson is that “charity begins at home.”  Therefore, the first section teaches that the child must see him/herself as a vested family member.  She suggests that the easiest way to inspire your children is to implement a "chore coupon program."

Examples of service projects to the family:

• Walking the dog.
• Reading a book to younger sibling. 
• Helping grandparents with house chores.   

The girls have been helping in the garden!  

2.  Service to those in the Neighborhood

 This section requires more parental cooperation than the others, as the parent will need to coordinate with neighbors.  

Suggested service projects: 

• Moving trash cans on garbage day. 
• Yard work, such as raking leaves or shoveling snow. 
• Organizing a neighborhood yard sale.  

 

Izzie walked around the neighborhood and passed out flyers regarding our neighborhood yard sale. 


3.  Service to the Community

This section if divided into 6 different sections, each containing many ideas and tips for various projects:

• Serving the Elderly 
• Services for Children 
• Services for Animals 
• Services for the Environment 
• Services for Wildlife 
• Service to Community Shelters 

 

The girls dropped off some much needed supplies to our local Wildlife Center. 


4. Service to Large Charities in America and Overseas

 This sections contains a list of 18 child-friendly charities, with a brief description of each. 



We always participate in Operation Christmas Child.


5.  Service of a child's own design 

The final section contains several examples of how children have started many charities to help inspire your child to possibly create his or her own. 


My thoughts on 100 Simple Service Projects:

I really enjoyed learning about the different ways Izzie and Mac can contribute to our family and community by participating in many of the 100 Simple Service Projects.  The projects suggested are simple, but can have a deep impact on your child, as well as to help develop a life-long love of giving in your child.

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Unfortunately, many children are bullied.  This past year, Izzie experienced some bully-behavior by a little girl at our local coop.  Thankfully, I was able to nip it in the bud before it had a chance to dramatically alter Izzie's self-esteem.  However, I was still very interested in reviewing Bullying and the Bible in order to learn what the Bible says about bullying and learning how I could provide my girls with a biblical foundation to combat bullying.

Bullying and the Bible is for children aged 5-16.   



The downloadable PDF contains 6 lessons, which contain more than 30 scripture verses, which stand at the center of modern-day anti-bullying practices and are used throughout the lessons.  In addition, there are crafts, games, and discussions that reinforce the lessons.  All lessons are presented in a way to help your child learn how to respond in bullying situations, whether they are the victim, a bystander, or a potential bully.

It is suggested to use one lesson per week.  Each lesson takes approximately 1 hour to complete and is divided into 6 parts.

1.  Lesson Capsule--brief introduction of lesson.

2.  Top of the Lesson Attention Getter--definition of bullying, which will be included in each lesson.

3.  Review of Last Lesson

4.  Lesson--each lesson will teach one of the 6 specific anti-bullying concepts.  The lessons are scripted.

5.  Craft or Discussion--crafts are used to help reinforce the lesson.  Materials are easily found and inexpensive.

6.  Games--most of the games are immediately followed by the lesson in order to reinforce what was learned.

Bullying and the Bible, Lesson 1 Craft--I'm A Nicey!

The girls with their "Shields of Faith and Forgiveness Wands."

My thoughts of Bullying and the Bible:

The lessons within Bullying and the Bible are very well organized and it was extremely beneficial having the lessons scripted.  In addition, I really appreciated how each lesson included scripture verses.  The craft pages where very clear with detailed instructions, included a list of inexpensive materials and required very little preparation.

The only suggestion I have would be to change the second definition of a Meanie.  It currently states, "Meanies only attack those ANNOYING THEM."  I did change this to "Meanies can attack anyone."  I never want my children to feel that they are the reason someone else is being mean to them.  It has nothing to do with their behavior!  It has everything to do with the behavior of the meanie! 

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Sail over to read what other Crew Mates had to say about their experience with one of many products from Christianity Cove.

Summertime...

I adore lazy summer days...cooling off at the water spray park! 

Cheers to summertime!!

TOS Review: Math Mammoth

 The school year is quickly winding down for us!  Izzie, 6 years old, just completed her second grade math curriculum.  I decided that I wanted her to continue to work on her math skills throughout the summer, just to fill in gaps and to have more practice on a few concepts.  However, I didn't want to purchase an entire curriculum.  Thankfully, I was introduced to Math Mammoth!  

Math Mammoth offers an affordable, quality math curriculum for grades 1-6 in their Blue Series.

 Math Mammoth Blue Series books are worktexts (textbook and workbook combined) on specific topics. Each worktext in the Blue Series covers all necessary topics for the specified grade range and many are aligned with the Common Core Standards.

The Blue Series worktexts can be used:

• To supplement any other math curriculum;
• As a remedial material for students who are behind;
• As a review material on specific topics.

There are a total of 39 Blue Series worktexts, each concentrating only on a few topics, such as: 

                            Addition              Subtraction              Place Value
                         
                             Clock                   Money                 Measurement

                        Multiplication             Division                  Geometry

                           Statistics              Fractions                 Decimals          

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We received the following downloadable PDF worktexts from Math Mammoth
Blue Series:

      

                           U.S. Money                              Measuring 1

                           Grades 1-3                                Grades 1-3
                               $3.25                                        $4.50
                                                   

     

                         Early Geometry                  Introduction to Fractions
                            Grades 1-3                              Grades 1-4
                                $2.75                                       $4.00                 

Each downloadable PDF version of the worktexts is enabled for annotation; therefore, your student can complete the worksheets on the computer by using the typewriter and drawing tools in Adobe Reader 9 or greater.               

However, I decided to print out each worktext and placed in individual folders.  

Math Mammoth Blue Series downloadable worktexts

  

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The Math Mammoth U.S. Money worktext covers U.S. money-related topics, such as counting coins, making change, and solving various money problems in a total of 51 pages. 



The worktext begins with first-grade topics such as counting pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters.  It continues to more advanced lessons for second grade, and finally finishes with third grade topics.  

Izzie really enjoyed using her pretend money, while completing the lessons.  She counted various amounts of coins and learned to make change.  Other topics included adding money amounts and solving problems.

We played store and I bought the specific items in the lessons.  I gave her the designated amount and she had to make change.  She absolutely loved doing this!  She loved that we were "playing" store and I loved that she was "learning" how to count coins and make change!

Be sure to check out more sample pages from the U.S. Money worktext.     

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The Math Mammoth Measuring 1 worktext contains 74 pages that cover measuring length, weight, and volume with a variety of hands-on activities aligned to the Common Core Standards for grades first through third.    



 There is a list of manipulatives needed to complete the various hands-on activities. 

Izzie had a blast with the Measuring 1 worktext.  Again, she was a huge fan of the various hands-on activities! 

Here, she is measuring several objects around the house with baby shoes, then she repeated, using her shoes in order to compare the length. 

In addition, she explored different ways of measuring, such as weight and volume. 

There is a complete list of all concepts covered and a few sample pages for the Measuring 1 worktext.

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Math Mammoth Early Geometry covers geometry topics, according to the Common Core Standards, for grades first through third.



There are a total of 82 pages full of hands-on activities covering basic shapes, geometric patterns, solving for area and perimeter, and three-dimensional shapes. 

Again, there are plenty of sample pages for the Early Geometry worktext.

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Math Mammoth Introduction to Fractions contains 100 pages of lessons for grades 1-4, following the Common Core Standards.  Most of the lessons are intended for 3rd and 4th grades, there are only a few lessons for 1st and 2nd grades.



The lessons are organized by topic, not by increasing difficulty.

Be sure to check out the list of topics covered in the Introduction to Fractions worktext, as well as sample pages. 

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What I liked:

•  Izzie referred to Math Mammoth as her "Fun Math".  Do I really need anymore proof that this hands-on math curriculum is awesome?! 

• The numerous amount of hands-on activities throughout each worktext.  Izzie really enjoyed participating in math, not just simply completing a worksheet.

•  There's a large skills spectrum within each worktext, so your student can move on to the more advanced levels, when he or she is ready.  There's no need to wait until the following school grade level. 

• The variety of worktexts available.  If your child is struggling or needing more advanced problems in a particular area, the worktexts are a great way to supplement.

•  Very affordable. The downloadable PDF worktexts are priced from $2.00 to $7.00.

•  The worktexts were very easy to teach from; therefore, there is very little teacher preparation. In addition, there are answer keys included for each worktext. 

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In conclusion, I would HIGHLY recommend the Blue Series from Math Mammoth!

You can get ALL 39 Blue Series worktexts for a package price of $95 (download) or $100 (CD).



Other package prices:

Grades 1-3

Receive 15 books, plus five variants of the Money book and a Metric Measuring book, or a total of 20 books from the Math Mammoth Blue Series, for $38 (download). 



 Grades 4-6

Receive 19 books, plus a variant of the Measuring book, or a total of 20 books from Math Mammoth Blue Series, for $57 (download).

Sail over to read what other Crew Mates had to say about their hands-on experience with Math Mammoth.