"The Reading Game" Review and Giveaway

Description:

The first book in The Reading Game learn-to-read series tells the story of a skunk without a stripe who is rejected by the other skunks but finds acceptance among some cats and becomes their defender.  It’s told in rhyme, is beautifully illustrated, and is 32 pages long.  It will be the first book the student reads, and there are five more to follow in this groundbreaking learn to read program.

Each of The Reading Game's six stories is told using just thirty new words.  These are broken down into six sets of five words.  The student learns to read each set of five words by playing a simple word matching game.  Frequent exposure through play hard wires these words into long-term memory.  Rote learning is transformed into a fast-paced game with a winner every few seconds.

After completing Skunk, Game 1, the student has learned five words (can, cat, is, me, not).  Playing Game 2 adds an additional five words (sad, she, stay, this, with). The student is then shown the picture flashcard relating to the two game sets he/she has just played. This stage helps the child transition from the stand alone words learned in game play to short sentences and phrases.  This stage also introduces capitalization and punctuation.

It’s important that the tutor move on only after the student has demonstrated proficiency in the words already covered.  Some students will take a little longer; a few may take a lot longer; but ANYONE CAN LEARN TO READ.  It’s not hard to persevere when the learning process is fun!

The Reading Game includes six decks of matching word playing cards, six sets of picture flashcards, six beautifully illustrated story books, & a Teacher and Parent's Guide

Ages 4 and  Up        2 or More Players

My  Review:

As a special education teacher I enjoy finding new resources to use at home with my kids and at school with my students.   I haven't taken this game to school yet since I currently am teaching good readers at the moment...but I do think that it will come in handy in the years to come when I have a struggling reader.   

I have an almost 4 year old and his older sister who is 7 sure likes to play the mommy role... or should I say teacher role.   As soon as I opened this package my daughter was so joyful to begin "teaching" her brother.   I had explain a few things so I let them first play matching with the words.  My four year old had fun searching for the matching words as his older sister read the words and asked him to repeat them.   Since he has struggled with speech this was already a great start to getting him to say random words and phrases as he repeated his sister.   

The idea behind "The Reading Game" is repetition and repetition in a fun and exciting way.  Sight words is a part of most schools teaching for reading and this set is DOLCH words, my school is currently using FRY words but there are many words that do overlap the two lists.  Each of the stories adds more words to keep working on building the sight word base.  The stories are basic and again the words are repeating to work on memorizing the sight words. 

If you are looking for a fun yet educational way to encourage your child or student to read then give "The Reading Game" a try.   It will help build self esteem while teaching sight words that will keep kids attention.  

I still have more work or should I say playing with my son to do before he is reading but right now I am pretty happy he is repeating the words and able to match the word cards and identify the letters.  He is a little to young to push reading onto but I can say that this is going to be a great supplement to reading when he is in Kindergarten learning to read.  

"The Reading Game" has received many awards!   I received this game for free in exchange for an honest review.  I was not paid for this review and all opinions are 100% mine.  

Please enter the giveaway to win "The Reading Game"  a $34.95 value by using the easy rafflecopter form below.  

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Book Review: "God Made You Special"

Book Description:

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”

Matthew 5:8

In this newest 8x8 softcover title in the Berenstain Bears Living Lights collection, the Bruins join the Bear family for a cookout and bring their cousin Tommy along. It isn’t long before the cubs start up a game of baseball and Sister soon notices that Tommy doesn’t play like the rest of the group. When Sister asks about Tommy, Mama takes the opportunity to talk to Sister about how God makes each of us unique in our own way. And that we all have special gifts and talents to share with the folks around us.

My review:

Thanks Zondervan for sending me this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review.   I was not paid for this review and all opinions are 100% mine.  

I loved this story!   Since I have a nephew who has disabilities this is a great story to share with my kids to help them understand and discuss their cousin better and to show love and patience better.   The story is a great start at helping kids understand differences in kids abilities but it really will take parents to take some time to discuss and answer any questions about it as well. 

We are huge fans of The Berenstain Bear books and all the many lessons we can learn from the stories.   I hope you consider adding this to your library! 

Olde Westport Spice Company Review

Online specialty Food Company stands the test of time - Spice Company creates custom spice blends, sesonings and dry soups. Olde Westport Spice & Trading Company is a 33-year-old spice manufacturer that is still going strong. This online company operates a small plant in Goodland, Kansas, and knows a thing or two about spices, seasonings and soups. This family owned and operated company was originally founded in the Kansas City area and has stayed true to its mission of making custom spice blends for main meal dishes and appetizers as well as nearly 20 varieties of dry soups. The products are available online at www.oldewestportspice.com; at food-related craft and trade shows throughout the Midwest; and at gift and gourmet food shops. Olde Westport's spice blends and seasonings include Italian, Cajun, Taco, Fajita, Chili, Jalapeno, Beef Sauce, Salsa, Garlic and many more. All of the products use quality ingredients for a balanced flavor that compliments meats, pastas and vegetables. The company also invented dry soup mixes that are simple and easy to make including Antonio's Minestrone, Country-Style Creamy Potato, Chipotle Black Bean, Creamy Broccoli and Cheese, Kansas City Steak & Ale, Gold Coast Garlic Pasta Alfredo, Mesa Flats Chicken Enchilada, New Orleans Red Bean & Rice, Southwestern Tortilla, White Chili Soup and more. Olde Westport Spice and Trading Co. is owned and operated by Bill and Judy Petersen, who along with their daughter, Ann Myers, also own and run a restaurant (Westport Grill) in Goodland featuring the products. Bill first custom created all of the spices and seasonings in the kitchen of his home. Today the company has a manufacturing facility where Bill still researches and develops new recipes and dishes for future products. For more information or to place an order, please visit www.oldewestportspice.com or call 1-800-537-6470. 

CHAMPIONSHIP CHILI SPICE BLEND - This championship spice has helped chili creators win 12 state and national championships throughout the years and all over the US! But what is most important to us about our Olde Westport Chili Spice Blend is that our customers love to use it in their chili whether it's for a national championship cook-off challenge or simply for their own family in their cozy kitchen on a cold winter's night. We've heard from countless customers that our attention to detail and quality is what makes this chili spice blend stand out above the competitors. We know you might put beans in your chili or maybe you add apples and sausage or perhaps you have a special recipe that is top secret but starts with thick-cut bacon... however you concoct your chili we hope you'll try our chili spice blend. 

GOLD COAST GARLIC SHAKE - Gold Coast Garlic Shake spice blend is truly one of those special blends of garlic, herbs and spices that our customers use in sour cream dips, sprinkle over steamed vegetables, fresh vegetables from your garden, garlic mashed potatoes or steak on the grill. There are more than 50 recipes in the Olde Westport Gold Coast Garlic Cookbook that will give you lots of ideas for quick simple meals with that high-end restaurant flavor. A garlic experience you will never forget. Check out the Olde Westport web site for a few recipes and placing orders.

My Review

I have found that during the Daniel Fast I used a lot more spices and have found a huge love for the flavor of it!  I was very excited to sample and taste the Gold Coast Garlic from Olde Westport Spice.  It is fantastic!   It is great on a variety of foods... my favorite is on asparagus!  The Chili spice blend is great to add in some homemade salsa for chips n dip!  Overall spices add more flavor to food and Olde Westport Spice Company has some great spices and a huge variety.  

Book Giveaway- "Little Chick's Bible"

About the Bible:

The Little Chick’s Bible is a soft, cuddly Bible that children age 2-5 can call their own.  Throughout this plush-covered book little ones learn that they’re loved and cared for by God as they hear about God’s faithfulness in stories from the Old and New Testaments of the Bible.  With sweet, rhyming text and colorful illustrations, this soft and cuddly character storybook Bible is sure to become a classic with preschoolers.

My Review:

My 7 and 3 year old love the fuzzy soft book... they even said it could be a stuffed animal because it's so soft!  I did go double check their beds and was hoping to see if they were cuddling with their Bible but nope they weren't... that would have been an awesome picture.  

Over all there are 9 key stories in the Bible.   I love the rhymes on each page as well as the pictures. We actually read all the stories for bedtime rather than one per night.   

Once my kids get a little older this Bible will be a fantastic addition to our preschool room at church.  

This book was released in January 2015 and would make a great gift in an Easter basket!  

Make sure to enter the giveaway below using the easy rafflecopter form below.    

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Thanks Zondervan for sending me this book free of charge in exchange of an honest review.   I was not paid for this and all opinions are 100% mine. 

Jump Rope for Heart 2015

This year my daughter participated in the Jump Rope for Heart- to raise awareness on heart disease partnering with American Heart Association.  

I was surprised that 1 out of 3 women die from heart disease and 80% of it is preventable!!!   

Here is her page if you would like to donate:  http://jumphoops2015mwa.kintera.org/selahgracielou

Here she is with her group that  she jumped rope with.   They got silly and had a lot of fun!  

I have to giggle when I look at this picture.   Yes she is jumping rope... no she is not doing ballet.  LOL   She sure is adorable with her method.