Timberdoodle's Brain Fitness Solitaire Chess by ThinkFun Review

 Brain Fitness Solitaire Chess from Thinkfun

I have a super fun item to share with you from Timberdoodle, Brain Fitness Solitaire Chess by ThinkFun!  If you know my family then you know that C especially loves Chess.  In fact, he is taking it for one of his classes in our weekly homeschool CoOp.  I was super excited to get this for him.  Solitaire Chess was invented by Vesa Timonen, a software engineer living in Finland.  This is his second ThinkFun product.

Full Set

The pieces

Here you can see the game/book board is spiral bound and easy to flip to challenges.

So, what does this strategic skill building game come with?  It comes with 10 Chess Pieces (2 pawns, 2 rooks, 2 bishops, 2 knights, 1 king and 1 queen).  It comes with a game book/board that contains 80 challenges at 4 different levels (beginner, intermediate, advanced and expert).  It also has an instructions and solutions pamphlet to guide you.

Here is our set next to C's Chess board.

It can be hard sometimes to find single player games, this is a gem.  Especially for those interested in Chess or learning Chess.  The instruction booklet introduces you to the pieces and how they move.  A pawn moves one square diagonally upward while a rook can move any number of vacant squares vertically or horizontally, etc.

In Solitaire Chess all the pieces are blue (whereas in Chess you have both black and white pieces).  Solitaire Chess is really a logic puzzle that must be solved for each challenge.  The goal of Solitaire Chess is to capture a chess piece with every move you make (this does not happen in Chess) until only one piece remains on the challenge card.  If you are left with two or more pieces on the challenge card, you reset and try again.  If you complete the challenge card with only one piece remaining, you win that challenge!  If you get stuck you can reference the solutions in the instructions and solutions pamphlet (there are solutions for every challenge).  I love that this fast-paced version of Chess will help your child to think critically, analytically and in their decision-making skills in general.  C is very familiar with Chess as he plays it often and he has found Solitaire Chess helpful in thinking strategically and becoming even more familiar with capture moves.  This game is geared for ages 8 to adult.  Check out C's video explanation below.

You can see Brain Fitness Solitaire Chess circled in red in the bottom left corner.

Brain Fitness Solitaire Chess is a part of Timberdoodle's 6th Grade Curriculum Kit and I think that is spot on.  This would be a great addition to your homeschool resources, games and would even make a fun unique gift for that hard to find child.  We are really enjoying having it and C especially likes how it helps improve his Chess skills.  He is a great Chess player!

Disclosure:  Huge shout out to Timberdoodle for selecting me as a Timberdoodle Blogger.  Timberdoodle sent my family Brain Fitness Solitaire Chess for a discounted price in exchange for our honest review.  All opinions are my own.

CrossWired Science Sound, and Fluid Dynamics Review

We have been enjoying learning about science through Global Topics with CrossWired Science.  We were given access to the first two Global Topics:  Sound, and Fluid Dynamics.  This is an online curriculum from a Christian worldview and emphasizes God in important aspects of science.  I have mostly been using this program with A but I am looking forward to adding the other kids in as it is designed so that our entire family can learn and study science together!  It is a multi-leveled curriculum so students K - high school can use it.  Love that.

CrossWired Science website

This program has a unique method of integrating multiple science fields and showing how they connect and relate to each other.  There are 8 core videos within each Global Topic along with hand-on experiments and activities, research ideas, reading suggestions and more.  There are built in quizzes and testing in which the students get immediate feedback - I like that.  CrossWired is self-paced but there is a great calendar section which gives lots of ideas on how to use and approach all the material.  I am finding this to be super helpful!  

So what is a Global Topic?  Is that the same as a unit study?  A Global Topic is a topic that integrates a large amount of Sciences across the Science Fields so it is quite a bit different than a typical unit study.  Sound, and Fluid Dynamics fall into this category of Global Topics.

Here you can see the lesson page for First Timers.

It is also worth noting that there are two tiers to the curriculum - First Timers and Second Timers.  It is exactly how it sounds.  You will use the First Timers section the first time going through the material and then you will go to the second timers for the second time through.  Just as most topics, you can glean even more with extra exposure.

More of what's available on the lesson page.

Here you can see the link to print the worksheet for the corresponding video.

On the lesson page there are 8 core videos to watch which have corresponding worksheets, a great research section, general links, an experiment section full of experiments and activities to do, suggested reading plan schedule, and digging deeper sections or gold digs.  Within the digging deeper and gold digs are dozens of devotional sections and numerous ties to God and His Word.  Remember, this program has a Christian worldview.  I personally love this!

Here A is working on one of the sound experiments, a Bird Song Hunt

Currently A is about 20% through with Sound and 20% through with Fluid Dynamics as a First Timer.  She has learned so much and there is a lot left to learn as well!

At present, CrossWired can be used as a full curriculum for 3 months of Science for any student.  With the two additions coming up this range will extend to an entire year of Science for your student.  And with the other upcoming additions planned it will eventually be good for up to 6 years of Science, wowza!  It can also be used as a supplement to another curriculum as well.

Do you want to try CrossWired Science for yourself?  I have a discount code for you to use, life24.

Be sure to click on the banner below to visit the Homeschool Review Crew blog to read more reviews of CrossWired Science.

I look forward to using more of the constantly growing library of lessons and experiments with the kids.  I like that they are geared to work with a wide age range!  I am looking forward to seeing how this program works for my crew all together.

 

Stopmotion Explosion Stop Motion Animation Kit Review

I have a fun product to share with you, the Stop Motion Animation Kit from Stopmotion Explosion.  A has always been interested in movies and movie making.  She had an awesome science fair project on making a Zoetrope several years ago (2016). I love that the Stopmotion Explosion book included a brief history of film including the Zoetrope.

 A's Science Fair Project - she made a Zoetrope

All about the Zoetrope

Our Stop Motion Explosion Kit

Inside the Kit

When I told A and B that I wanted them to create their own LEGO animation they were excited!  This kit contains everything needed to make high-definition animated films using LEGO action figures, clay, toys, and numerous other materials.  The Stopmotion Explosion book has 290+ pages of example projects, lots of illustrations and step-by-step instructions for animating, screenwriting, video editing, audio recording and video processing software.  Or you can watch video tutorials in the Stopmotion Explosion Content Hub.

The book has lots of content

Again, this comprehensive kits comes with everything you need.  It includes a 1080p HD video camera.  This model is suitable for novice to intermediate level animations and perfect for my kids who are just starting to learn animation.  The camera has manual focus, a 360° rotating head, clip, Full HD 1920 x 1080 image resolution and many other features.  The Stopmotion Explosion book has lots of information.  Some of the topics include building sets, lighting, composition, animating, sound, editing.

I really like that stop motion is a creative hands-on medium that can be used to complement a plethora of topics and subjects.  Your kids can make a movie to showcase something that they have learned or recreate a historical event.  A and B chose to make a few general life videos and I love that.

 A and B creating their set - they used the software on a laptop

A working on a scene

  One of the images

My kids have really enjoyed making a few animated films with some of our LEGOs.  First, A and B made a short film about a baker baking a cake.  Then, they made a longer film about a gymnast at a gymnastics meet who scores a 10 on every event (notice the baker makes an appearance at the end of the film).  I love that D gave input into the gymnastics film including making the springboard for the vault.  She also noticed that the event order is not completely correct but that's okay.  It should be Bars, Beam, Floor, and Vault.  After creating their films, they went and added music and sound effects.  They used iMovie for this.  The girls have a lot to learn.  You can see in their gymnastics videos that they used string/floss to help them create flips and upside down maneuvers.  The book addresses this and give lots of tips and tricks for creating.  I hope you enjoy their creations as much as I have!  I'm looking forward to seeing them implement more techniques as they continue to learn from this book and learn more about animation.

LEGO Baking

And here it is with sound!

LEGO Gymnastics


With sound as well!

Be sure to click on the banner below to visit the Homeschool Review Crew blog to read more reviews of Stopmotion Explosion.


We are really enjoying our Stop Motion Animation Kit and I look forward to seeing what the kids create in the future!

 

Losing Loved Ones Doesn't Get Easier

My Dad with B when she was a baby!

Last Saturday was the one year anniversary of the day my Dad passed away.  He died suddenly and unexpectedly.  I can't believe it has been a year.  Grief is a funny thing.  People tell you that things will be easier in time.  But you don't really "get over" the loss of a loved one.  I'm not sure it's easier but I guess you learn to cope and live without them.  Their memory lives on.  I miss my Dad very much and I always will.  I'm thankful that he knew my kids.

"Jesus: His Life" Finale Airs Monday 4/15

I wanted to share with you that the final episode and series finale of "Jesus: His Life" airs this Monday, April 15th on The History Channel at 8pm ET/PT.

As Easter is fast approaching I am reminded of the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus' death on the cross.  All four of the New Testament gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) tell us about the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.  And even though Jesus was innocent, he sacrificed himself for all those that are guilty.  My Savior gave His life for me and for you!  That is good news my friends.  I am inspired by Jesus' life.  How He lived and how He loved.

Synopsis
"Jesus: His Life" explores the story of Jesus Christ through a unique lens: the people in his life who were closest to him.  Each episode from the series is told from the perspective of different biblical figures, all whom played a pivotal role in Jesus' life including Joseph, John the Baptist, Mary Mother of Jesus, Caiaphas, Judas Iscariot, Pontius Pilate, Mary Magdalene and Peter.  The final episode explores the special bond between Jesus and Peter, and features Jesus' loving and unforgettable words, "Feed My Lambs" and "Take Care Of My Sheep."

Take a look at the featurette below and let me know what you think.



Disclosure:  Thanks so much to Grace Hill Media for selecting me to participate in this campaign.  By sharing this information with you I will receive a gift card.  All opinions are my own.

Everyday Education Transcripts Made Easy Review

If you are are like me you might feel like high school record keeping, especially transcripts can be overwhelming so I'd like to introduce to you Transcripts Made Easy:  The Homeschooler's Guide to High-School Paperwork from Everyday Education.

I was blessed to receive the digital version of the fourth edition of TME by Janice Campbell.  Janice originally wrote this after she had to create a transcript for her oldest son.  She has since updated it with bonus chapters about special needs homeschooling and skills students need to succeed at university.  It is available as a print book, ebook and a print/ebook combination.  This is a great resource for homeschooling parents of high schoolers.  I wish I had this at the beginning of this school year as A is in 9th grade but better late than never!

One thing to note right away is that this book is about more than just transcripts!  There is a great page that helps you know where to start in this book depending on your situation or needs.  Do you just need help planning?  Is your student in the first two years of high school?  Ding, ding for me with A!  Is your student in Junior High?  Ding, ding again for me with B and C!  Is your student a Junior?  Senior?  Do you need a transcript tomorrow?  Based on your answers to these questions the book guides you and gives you tips on how to proceed.  I love this.

This book is divided into 6 main sections:

• Meet the Transcript
• Plan with the End in Mind
• Keep Simple Records
• Grades, Credit and the GPA
• Create the Transcript
• References, Resources and Reproducibles

Sample Schedule

Just some of the reproducibles you will have access to!

I love how Janice walks you through how to document your student's high school education.  She guides you through planning with the end in mind.  She gives you sample schedules and shows you different ways to implement your schedule.  She also gives your advice on grading.  This has been a bit tricky for me this year so I really appreciate this section.  And my favorite part is the blank templates that I can print out and fill in for my students.  I printed several of these out and I am using them to document A's 9th grade year.  And of course, there are transcripts as well!

I also like the section on skills and habits to cultivate in high school.  I think this is a great thing to be aware of and consider throughout your student's high school years.  Your student should be able to write formal letters, research papers, make proper citations, how to organize information, time management, etc.  Of course every student is unique but I think this is a great reference point for some basic expectations.  Not only is there a section on the first year of college but there is also one on college alternatives.  I appreciate both as I do not know what path my kids will choose.  This truly is a great resource for homeschool parents of high schoolers or soon to be high schoolers.  You can use it as needed.

Be sure to click on the banner below to visit the Homeschool Review Crew blog to read more reviews of Transcripts Made Easy:  The Homeschooler's Guide to High-School Paperwork from Everyday Education.


I look forward to thoroughly reading all the sections in this book and using it for all of my kids as needed.  What a great resource!

 

Happy National Pet Day

Happy National Pet Day!  We love our Stevie.  Enjoy these photos of him relaxing in our yard.

On a patio chair...

Soaking up the sun...