TOS Review: Chess House

For the last few weeks we have been reviewing one of or very favorite review products of the year!  We received a Starter Chess Learning Kit from ChessHouse.com and we are LOVING it!!

In our Starter Chess Learning Kit, we received:

• A chess board that is made out of a vinyl foam and rolls all up
• A full chess set made out of sturdy plastic, and they have green felt on the bottoms
• Elliot's Chess School Pawn Level DVD
• A large carrying case that has compartments for the board, pieces, and DVD

This set retails for $49.95 if you buy each item individually, but for the set is just $39.99.

As soon as our Chess Learning Kit arrived, my children started begging to try it!  It was really hard to not try and start playing the game immediately, but I held them back so we could watch Elliot's Chess School DVD first.  My kids had never played Chess and I didn't want them to get confused, so I was very firm that the would watch the DVD first!

So, they patiently watched the DVD.  The LOVED it.  All four sat with their eyes glued to Elliott.  The DVD runs 49 minutes, and they were a bit frustrated when I wouldn't let them watch it all at one time.  But, as soon as they watched the first couple episodes they were happily setting up the chess board and telling me all that they had learned.  

The second day, I let them finish watching the DVD.  As soon as it was over, they were off.  I was very impressed at how well they had picked up the information.  They weren't world class chess champions or anything, but they DID know what all the pieces could do and how they moved across the board.

The way that Elliot presents the chess game in his DVD is to first, introduce the board.  Then he introduces each individual piece.  He explains the name, value, and capabilities of each piece.  The DVD is broken down into chapters, so you can watch it all at once or break it up like we did.

Since then, there as been many a chess game being played at our house.  We have the slight challenge that Charger isn't as old as Mustang, and currently that means he is not as good as she is.  So, she almost always wins, but he is getting better.

When my parents came for a visit, my dad was more then happy to play against the kids.  He also continued to give chess instruction to Charger-helping him to learn more strategy.  

My brother is, ironically, a chess champion-literally.  He was a member of our school's first place state championship chess team.  It's ironic because he was also the school homecoming King, lol.  But, chess has always been a part of my family growing up.  I knew that young children could learn (my brother learned when he was 4), but I had no CLUE how to teach them!!  I am extremely grateful for Elliot's DVD helping me with something I couldn't do!

Overall I would recommend this product hands down!  We loved every part of it.  The DVD, especially was a hit.  But the board was really nice, too.  Granted, you can go to any store and pick up a random set, but this one is a step above.  I loved the way the board is labeled with the letters and numbers of each row-very nice for new learners. 

 And, I LOVE LOVE LOVE the way that it all wraps up and goes into the carrying case-it will be super nice to take along for Christmas chess games at Grandpas!

If you already have a chess set, Elliot's Chess School DVD's are sold separately.  But, I would recommend the whole set.  The Chess Starter Kit is designed for ages 4 and up, and while I would probably up that to about 5 1/2, I agree that pretty much any child, teen, or adult will enjoy this!  It would make a great Christmas gift for lots of people on your list!

To see what others on our crew thought of the Chess Starter Kit, check out the crew blog.  

Thanks for stopping by!

God Bless,

Lisa

TOS Review: Birdcage Press

It's the hot, sticky days of summer (or will be soon).  You don't feel like 'doing school', but you don't want to spend the day sitting in front of the TV either.  Might I recommend a round of Go Fish?  More specifically Go Fish Ancient Egypt from Birdcage Press?  What's that?  You've not heard of Birdcage Press?  Well, you are not alone. Before we received our most recent review product, I hadn't either.  But, believe me, you will want to!

Birdcage Press is a company that produces games for kids.  But, not just any old game.  These are games filled with beautiful, museum quality photos of REAL people, places, animals, artifacts, paintings, and more.  No cheese drawings of nursery characters on these games!

The founders, Wenda and James O'Reilly, decided one year to take their 3 daughters out of school and explore Europe in a VW van.  Loving these people already!  As they traveled, they went to various museums and landmarks, and Wenda wanted to find a way to help the girls remember what they saw.  So, she started making up little card games that, eventually, made their way into award-winning games.  

Birdcage Press offers a large assortment of games such as Van Gogh and Friends Art Game, Battle Cards: Military Jets, Wild cards: Who's Hiding, and Go Fish: Ancient Egypt.

We were sent for review Go Fish:  Ancient Egypt.  This was especially awesome since we were just finishing up a unit on Egypt.  The set includes 36 cards which break down into 6 sets.  Gods, Goddesses, Pharaohs, Mummies, Afterlife, and Symbols.  On each card is a beautiful photo and a description of the item on the card.  

Obviously, the point of the game is to collect sets of 6.  The one with the most sets at the end of the game, wins.  And, there was a lot of winning going on around here!!  It has been played by Mustang and Charger for days on end.  I played some and even DADDY got in on the action (that never happens I tell you)!  I have to admit that we got a bit competitive here!!   The game went with us in the car, and even to a few appointments.  I think the nurse was pretty impressed that the kids were playing a game about Egypt rather then running around in circles.  

As I mentioned (a few times) before, the cards are beautiful!  They are high quality, detailed, and really allow you to see the item.  A high gloss book is also included that contains information about the items on the cards.  

You can plan regular old Go Fish...do you have any 1's (for Charger who can't read), or do you have any Pharaohs.  OR eventually you can play-do you have the Goddess Ma'at, or another SPECIFIC item you want, to help your children memorize the names of the gods, goddesses, or Pharaohs of Egypt.  

Playing the game has lead to many more conversations about Pharaohs and Mummies for Charger.  And for Mustang, she was particularly interested in the goddesses.  They both enjoyed seeing some of the items they had already been learning about in the game.  

The Go Fish: Ancient Egypt card set retails for just $10.95 and would make an awesome gift for children ages 7 and up (though even our 5 year old enjoyed it).  

We really liked this game, and I would highly recommend them!  But, maybe you'd like to try another product?  Be sure to check out the crew blog and see what others had to say about some of the other Birdcage Press products.  

Thanks for stopping by!  

God Bless,

Lisa

 

Parking Lot Game

I mentioned that I had been playing the parking lot game with Charger lately.  It's a simple game that I had heard about a few years back from My Montessori Journey.  I played it a couple times with Mustang, but she didn't have any particular love for the game.  Charger, on the other hand, LOVES it.

 I had been using Explode the Code book A (Get Ready for the Code) with Charger.  He was doing pretty well, but then all of a sudden he just did NOT care anymore.  I knew I had to come up with another way to engage him.  When I came across The Parking Lot game, I thought it would be worth a try.

It is EXTREMELY EASY to prepare.  It takes a piece of paper, a pen, and some matchbox cars.  I went as far as using a piece of card stock, a permanent marker, and a laminator but you wouldn't have to.

One day, I asked Charger to go get 10 matchbox cars.  He came back with 8 and mentioned that he couldn't find anymore.  No problem, 8 cars will do alright.

I asked him to park his first car on the 'mmmm' sound. It took all of 2 seconds and he was ON THAT!  He parked them all really fast, eagerly waiting to hear the next sound.  This was a huge difference then in his workbook where he would not pay attention at all.

The next day, the FIRST thing he asked me was-when are we having school?  I have 10 cars!!  

Since then, he has had his cars in a basket or bag ready to take them to school EVERY.SINGLE.DAY.  He asks if he can be first to have his language lessons, and asks to play The Parking Game.  

I have gone so far as to add the I Spy Game to The Parking Lot Game.  I will put 1, 2, or even 3 objects above the lot and he has to find the object and then park his car.  I am currently trying to figure out other ways I could incorporate his cars, because they really get his interest.  If nothing else, his parking lot will have new letters next week :).

Seriously, if you have a little boy in your life that likes matchbox cars, play The Parking Lot game. You may just have a break-through.  

God Bless and Happy Learning!!

TOS Review: Flea Circus by R & R Games

I am so excited to tell you about a game that we were recently sent for review!! When Flea Circus from RnR Games first arrived at our home, the cute little box full of dogs and cats were appealing to all of us. I wasnt able to play it right then, but the kids snuck the box off my desk and had a lot of fun playing with the adorable little dogs and cats.

Aren't they cute? They certainly drew us in!

Mustang and I started playing Flea Circus together the first time, then Daddy was able to join us later. The instructions were a little involved and I was afraid she wouldnt understand them. But, I was wrong! She understood everything about the game.

The object is to play cards that will win you the most spectators-dogs and cats. Depending on the card you choose to play, you may get those spectators from the pile, OR from other players. I was a little worried that Mustang would have her feelings hurt when I 'stole' animals from her. But, when Daddy played with us he stole from her and she stole them right back :).

I loved that there were many different concepts being taught at the same time. Mustang had to figure out which of her cards would earn her the most spectators, and how she wanted to get them (from the pile or others). The spectators were worth different amounts-dogs are worth 2, and cats are worth 1. So, if Mustang would receive 2 spectators, she had to decide between 1 dog or 2 cats. At the end of the game, she got to practice counting by ones and by 2's. She also practiced adding AND greater then less then to decide who had won the game.

The age range for Flea Circus begins at 6 years of age, and I think this age is right on. Mustang will be 6 at the end of the month, and she is just able to understand. Any younger, and I am not sure. Charger and Mini Cooper loved being the REAL spectators, since Daddy asked them to take care of his spectators while we played.

Why I think that you should add Flea Circus to your game library:

*Teaches great math and decision making concepts
*Cute game pieces and cards
*Fun for the whole family
*Affordable price point
*Compact and easy to store

I asked my daughter and husband if there was anything they DIDNT like about Flea Circus, and Mustang said 'I didnt like when Daddy stole my animals...but I liked stealing them from him!' My husband and I thought that the game took a little to understand, but he pointed out that all GOOD games take some effort. So, I guess that it was a positive in the end.

Flea Circus is made and sold by RnR Games Incorporated, and retails for $15.95. Through the end of the year RnR games is offering 20% off your purchase, if you use the code CREW20. So, I'm thinking this will be going on the Christmas list for a few little people I know!! I would recommend it for yours, too.

For more opinions on Flea Circus and other RnR Games, check out the TOS Crew review blog.

This has been a TOS Crew review. Thank you to RnR games for providing my family with a complimentary copy of Flea Circus for our review. All opinions expressed are my own.

El Cheapo Letter Tiles

I have seen a number of mommies in the blog world using these letter tiles with their children. Many have said they picked them up at Walmart years ago and that Walmart no longer carries them. I have been trying to get my hands on some and DID come across a box at Staples for about 10.00 and put it on my list of things to buy when I had a little extra cash. Or, to figure out how to make them.




Then I came across this game at a yard sale. Upwards. 50 cents! It even comes with little Scrabble type trays for arranging the letters in. To be fair, Upwards only comes with 64 letter tiles instead of 176, and they are all uppercase. But, for a fraction of the price, they will be a nice test product to see if we really like them and use them in our classroom.

If you arent a big yardsaler, check your thrift. I saw the same game at ours for 2.00 the other day. God Bless!