Fractazmic Review

Fractazmic is a learning game from I See Cards that we recently received.  The first time we played we used the directions that were included for a simple game but it wasn't all that much fun.  THEN we found the online directions for playing Fractazmic Trap and now we're hooked.  (You can find the directions to Fractazmic Trap and other games by downloading the free e-book Dr Ron's How to Succeed in Mathematics. You will also find directions for a gin rummy type of game called Fractazmic Rummy.)

Here is a video explanation of Fractazmic Trap



and a video of how to play Fractazmic Rummy



The cards are sturdy and durable.  They are also bright and colorful and each suit features a different graphic to show the fractional part.  In the blue suit a box of eggs is used, the green suit shows liquid in a bottle and the red suit uses a ruler.   (no pies for this game)  Each fraction is shown on the top and bottom corner of the card but printed facing up.  So when the cards are dealt you have to turn them all the right way (unlike regular cards where the number on the bottom is upside down so that the number in the corner is always right side up).

You can see what a hand might look like after being dealt.
I guess you could play with them upside down but I need them all facing up.

Here you can see the different measurements used on each card.

The cards in the deck are:

Sixteenth suit (red): 1/16, 1/8, 3/16, 1/4, 5/16, 3/8, 7/16 and 1/2
Twelfths suit (blue):1/12, 1/6, 1/4, 1/3, 5/12 and 1/2
Tenths suit (green): 1/10, 1/5, 3/10, 2/5 and 1/2

Fractazmic teaches fractions, numbers and measurement.

Even though the basic game of Fractazmic will seem very simple, the game and the cards took about a year of development. The mathematics reinforced here is the addition of fractions. The game also goes one step further in that it reinforces the addition of fractions that are used in common situations.  Even though mathematics texts often have problems where children are forced to add fractions such as 1/7 and 1/25-I have never in 30 years had the requirement to add these 2 fractions. In Fractazmic there are 3 suits; tenths, twelfths, and sixteenths. In each of these suits there are cards ranging from 1/10, 1/12 and 1/16 up to ½.   -quote from Dr. Ron's How to Succeed in Mathematics

You can try an online Fractazmic  as well as Pyramath speed.  Both online games are free! If you can score in the top 10 you will win a free set of cards!

We are really enjoying Fractazmic.  It's great for a variety of ages. It makes a good review for anyone who already knows fractions and a great way to get younger kids familiar with fractions before they are  even introduced in their math curriculum. I highly recommend it.

Fractazmic is recommended for Grades 1-8 and Fun for All Ages.  The games are for 2-4 players.

I See Cards offers other educational card games: PyraMath, PrimeBomb and I See Cards.  Fractazmic is only $6.95. See what others on the TOS crew are saying about Fractazmic.

disclaimer:  I received Fractazmic in exchange for an honest review.

The Reading Game-Review

The Reading Game is a memory card game and includes a series of 6 black and white storybooks that correspond with each deck.  There are 6 decks of cards and each deck builds on the previous one. The decks are divided into 6 groups of words.  The children progress through the 6 levels learning new words as they go. (So there are 6 decks with 6 levels each...I'm not sure that was clear. :)

Once all 30 words are learned in the first deck the child can read the first book.  The Skunk story book is the first book in the series and the entire story is written with only the words in the first deck.

From the website:

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 tested by being required to read a couple of test sentences:

“This cat is not a sad cat. Can she stay with me?” Similar test sentences are provided after each even numbered game thereafter. 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!

Jenna makes a match

Ellie (4) loves to play.
She can't read the words yet but usually she can tell when she has a match.
 It's only a matter of time before she knows these words.

Connor, Ellie and Jenna really like this game.
 I'm so happy to have this game for them to play.

What the decks look like in the box (minus the one we were playing with)

Jenna reading her first book!  

Each deck of cards in the series adds thirty more words for a reading vocabulary of 180 words by the time the complete series is finished. Of the twenty-five most commonly used English words, twenty-two are on that list; of the forty most commonly used English words –thirty. The multi-sensory teaching approach – through the card game play and the storybooks - works well for retention and student enjoyment.

The Reading Game is designed to be a supplement to your current reading curriculum and this is exactly how we are using it.  It also meets the Common Core Standards for Language Arts and Reading and Foundational Skills for both kindergarten and first grade.

On the Reading Game website you will find a free Pre/Post Assessment worksheet you can use to evaluate progress. The Test Sentences worksheet is used after play but before reading each book as a tool for seeing if the child is ready to read the book.  The test sentences are also included in the parent guide that comes with the game.

About the words used in the games:

• Dolch Word List of “service words” (pronouns, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, and verbs) that cannot be learned through the use of pictures. 60% of the words in “The Reading Game” are on the Dolch Word List for pre-k and k and makes up 54% of dolch words for Pre-K, K and 1st Grade.

 • Of the first 100 most commonly used English words (source The Reading Teachers Book of Lists, Third Edition by Fry, et al) “The Reading Game” incorporates 88% of the most common twenty-five words and 63% of the first 100.

Watch this video to see how to play and to see what the cards look like.

We just really love The Reading Game and think it would be a great addition to any phonics program.  The cards are a little thinner than I'd like to see, otherwise no complaints.

The Reading Game is from the author of Wordly Wise, Ken Hodkinson. Read more about Ken Hodkinson and how The Reading Game came to be here.

The Reading Game is available for $24.95. Read what others are saying about The Reading Game on the TOS crew blog.

 

disclaimer: I was given a free copy of The Reading Game in exchange for an honest review.

Scruble Cube

The Scruble Cube is a fun word game that is cross between a Rubik's cube and Scrabble.  The makers refer to it as a word game and puzzle on steroids. As you can see in the picture each side has 4 rows and 4 columns.  Each square has a letter with a point value or a special sticker such as 2x letter score or 2x word score.  Each letter circle also rotates so you aren't spelling words with the letters upside down or sideways (unless you want to). The game also comes with a timer which you can use if you choose.

Watch this video to see the Scruble Cube in action.



Even if the Scruble Cube was only a fun game it would be worth getting but, it is a great educational tool as well.  They have an entire section of their website dedicated to how you can use the Scruble Cube in your homeschool (or classroom).  Some seem to be more suited to a classroom but it's worth looking at. There are free downloads with ideas for how to use the Scruble Cube as an educational tool.

A free worksheet to use with your Scruble Cube.
Find it here.
Though recommended for grades 3-6, my 14 year old really enjoyed using it.

Playing Scruble can develop these Academic and Life Skills:

You can find game instructions and a printable score sheet as well.

Scruble is a lot of fun to play and I love how portable it is.  It's great for taking along to doctor appointments or other places where you might need a distraction while you wait. It's also fun for one or many.  Anyone that can spell 3 letter words can play. (I kind of wish it came in a carrying case.)

The only problem we've had with it, is that you have to have each row lined up perfectly to get it to turn so it really isn't a game of speed.  The other "problem" is that I am TERRIBLE at it. My 14 year old loves it and beats me every time..  I don't have a mind for puzzles but, it's fun just the same.

I mentioned earlier that the game comes with a timer that you can use if you wish. It is a 1 and 1/2 minute sand timer.  In the rules it says that if all players agree you can turn it over 2 or more times to lengthen turn time.  We didn't really use the timer because sometimes it takes a while to create a word (and I find watching a sand timer to be a pain.) If we decided to use a timer in play I think we would set a time limit and use a kitchen timer.

All in all, this is a fun game that would make a great gift for a game lover in your life.  It would also be a great addition to your educational game collection.



You can purchase your own Scruble Cube for $24.95 on the Scruble Cube website or at locations found on the bottom of the main Scruble Cube webpage . Read what others are saying about the Scruble Cube on the TOS crew blog.


disclaimer: I received a free Scruble Cube in exchange for an honest review.

Tri-Cross Game Review

For this review, I was expecting to receive the Tri-Cross Eco-edition but was pleasantly surprised to get not only the travel edition, but also the board game version! I thought that was extremely generous.  Tri-Cross is a fun game for the whole family.  Children, teens and adults can enjoy this game together.  The game promotes logical thinking, cause and effect, predicting, interpreting outcomes, abstract thinking, memory (in the face down version), and visualization.

The Eco version has a cloth board and folds up
neatly into a bag so you can take it anywhere.

The game pieces are the same for both games.  They are high quality, smooth pieces that feel nice in your hand and are a nice weight.  The Eco-version game board is made of organic cotton as is the carrying bag.  The cloth board doesn't stay completely flat but it isn't an issue when playing the game.  

The standard game has a nice game board that folds in half.  It seems very sturdy.  It's a bit too shiny so depending on the light you are playing in you can get some glare making it hard on the eyes if you're playing at night.

This is the standard version.
  It has a bit of glare on the board as you can see.

The object of the game is to occupy the center square with your Tri-Cross piece for 4 turns in a row.  The higher pieces jump (and remove) lower pieces with the exception that the Tri-Cross can jump the 6 (but only the 6).  There is a face up version where everyone can see the pieces on the board and a face down version that is more challenging because you don't turn the pieces over until they are flipped (when they are next to each other.)  Detailed directions can be found here.

This is a video tutorial for beginner Tri Cross players.  You can see the board game version in this video.  It's easier for me to learn a game by watching how to play then by reading the directions.



We like this game.  It is fun to play and it doesn't last a long time, making it a great choice to play with children and to play even if you don't have much time. The recommended age is 8 and up but my almost 6 year old can play so it is possible for younger children to play too.  You can play with 2, 3 or 4 players.  I think it is best with 3 or 4 players but it can be fun with just 2 also.

Here I am playing with daughters Emma (8) and Jenna (almost 6)

the view from above

deep in thought...

On their website, they are giving away 10 Eco-games free.  Rules and contest deadlines can be found here.

Advanced tutorials and complete directions can be found here. Also there is a nice FAQ page to answer questions that you may have or that may come up as you play. Though it really is pretty simple. You can read the interesting story of how this game came to be at Games for Competitors, the family owned business that produces Tri-Cross. If your family likes games I think this would make a nice addition to your game collection.

Tri-Cross can be purchased on the Tri-Cross website or at a local game store (retail locations found here.)  Tri-Cross Eco-edition is available for $19.95.  The standard edition is $24.95 and a wooden edition for $35.95.  They also offer Tri-Cross t-shirts.See what others are saying about Tri-Cross on the TOS crew blog!

disclaimer: I was given Tri-Cross in exchange for an honest review.

Wise Alec:Nature Nuts

Wise Alec:Nature Nuts is a travel sized trivia game with questions in 3 categories: Earth, Animals and Plants.  Each player gets to decide if they want a 3 point (easier) or 7 point (more challenging) question.  The card you get depends on the color you roll. Roll red, yellow or green and you answer the question on  the card of that color.  Roll purple for a Wise Alec card which could be a brain teaser, tongue twister or you may even lose points, roll orange and another player gets to choose your card.

Watch this video that shows you how to play:


Ryan (11) and Emma (8) really enjoy playing this game.  The award winning game is designed in such a way that adults and children can easily play together. There are questions that the kids know the answers too and some that even my husband and I didn't know.  So, this makes it a great game for the whole family.  The recommended age is 8 and up. I think you could play it with slightly younger children if they are interested in science and are able to read well. They also give some suggestions for ways to "level the playing field" in scoring.

 In addition to the trivia questions, the Wise Alec cards add some fun to the trivia.  (We've had to walk like a chicken,  moo like a cow and repeat tongue twisters.)  I like the variety of questions that are on the cards that teach the kids useful information while they play.  I find that the more they play, the more they know more answers to the questions.

We did find some cards that we won't keep. One of the wise Alec cards had yoga on it and another question referred to millions of years.  We just discarded those cards.

Wise Alec: Nature Nuts comes in a sturdy package with a magnetic closure. (I love the design of the box.)The compact packaging has the rules attached to the box so you can't lose them ( a real plus around here!). There are two other Wise Alec travel games, Wise Alex: Civilize This! and Wise Alec: Sports Buff. In addition to being travel games, the cards in these travel games can be used to expand the Wise Alec Family Trivia Game.

You can purchase Wise Alec:Nature Nuts or other educational games at  a location near you or online.  Go to Griddly Games to locate a retailer near you or an online source. I have seen this online for $14.99.  I am guessing prices will vary depending on where you purchase the game. The Griddly Games website also features a Game Zone with activites, online games and rules to all your favorite Griddly Games.

If you enjoy trivia and learning while having fun, I think your family will enjoy Wise Alec: Nature Nuts. See what other reviewers are saying about Wise Alec:Nature Nuts and other Griddly Games on the TOS Crew blog!

Disclaimer: I was given a free copy of Nature Nuts in exchange for an honest review.