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New Version of Bookworm Adventures- Bookworm Adventures 2

By Lisa - Homeschooling Mom | January 5, 2012

Was really really thrilled to discover the was a new version of my all time favorite Pc game, Bookworm Adventures.

The first one, Bookworm Adventures featured spelling game where the longer the word or more difficult the letter are to use give you attack power and you battle your way through mythological creatures- mostly from Greek Myths. I LOVE anything that features mythology so I was all ready in.

I stated playing the new one, Bookworm Adventures 2 and although it is same game play- exactly the same actually- the creatures and monsters you battle are from nursery rhymes. Mother Goose, Old woman who lived a shoes, etc. While I am enjoying the game it feels to “young” for me to be playing.

My son, 8 has been playing the older Greek myth version and loves it- he tried new version and wasn’t as thrilled.

I am about 1/4 way through and still enjoying and would absolutely recommend ESPECIALLY for homeschoolers.

Has anyone else tried the new Bookworm Adventures ?

Topics: Video Games | No Comments »

Harry Potter Author J.K. Rowling Takes Stand Against Paparazzi and Press

By Lisa - Homeschooling Mom | November 24, 2011

Today in London J.K. Rowling testifies along with several other celebrities testifies in inquiry about aggressive British press and the lengths they will go to to get an exclusive story or picture. Her main complaints revolve around her three children who in the past have been frighted by paparazzi angling for a story or pic.

The rights of privacy vs. public’s demand for information has long been a problem-brought into the spotlight I think with the death of Lady Diana.

I have LONG believed that celebrity news is just a modern day panacea for the masses. In roman times poor citizens were given free bread and cheap seats at the coliseum to watch gladiators, This we refer to now as “bread and circuses” – the idea was to distract the public from high taxes, war , shortage of food and employment.
Sound familiar? Still taking place a hundred years ago we allow the media to distract us with stories of Kin Kardashian’s wedding, Casey Anthony , who will win Dancing with the Stars …
I am just as guilty as anyone else and when sitting in a Starbucks will usually grab for People magazine rather than The New Yorker or Time magazine.
The hunger for more news, better news newer photos and more information on our favourite stars- some who are famous just for being famous- is our own fault. As long as we pick up the magazine surf gossip pages and talk about Paris Hilton at the water cooler the problem will continue.
We would rather deal with vapid and banal than the grim and sometimes boring reality- this will be our downfall.

LONDON (Reuters) – “Harry Potter” author JK Rowling told a public inquiry into British media standards on Thursday she was forced to move house because of tabloid harassment and had been made to feel like a hostage in her home after she gave birth.

During two hours of evidence, Rowling revealed a note had been slipped into her young daughter’s schoolbag by a journalist and that she had chased a paparazzo photographer down the street when he tried to take a picture of her with her children.

Rowling, who is protective of her three children’s privacy and has regularly complained to the press, said if you did stand up to certain newspapers about their behavior, they could be “spiteful” and seek retribution.

Visit http://omg.yahoo.com/news/author-jk-rowling-says-spiteful-uk-press-hounded-191232061.html to read complte article.

Topics: General Homeschooling and Unschooling | No Comments »

Best Nintendo DS and DSi Games for Boys 4-8 Years Old

By Lisa - Homeschooling Mom | November 21, 2011

I have been making list of “best video games for several years now. I usually divide them up by age and gender. I by no means mean to stereotype however I do find that the game that appeal to boys are slightly different than boys. Girls tend to like creatively and nurturing games and boys seem to be drawn to video games that have quests and challenges to over come. I am constantly talking with other kids to find out what games they are playing- what works and what doesn’t.
Below is my list of “Best Nintendo DS Games for Boys Age 4-8″ hope you find it helpful!

Best Nintendo DS and DSi Games for Boys 4-8 Years Old

Nintendo DS games can be played on still very popular Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi and newest release Nintendo 3DS which plays Nintendo DS games and 3D games.

Best Nintendo DS Games for Boys 4-8 Years Old

Let’s Draw! Is a fun drawing game and great for long car rides. You can make your own drawing and then with touch of your stylus bring your creations to life- with both sound and action. This is a good Nintendo DS game for 4-6 year old boys.

Toy Story 3 The Video Game based on the Disney movie Toy Story 3. Unlike most movie tie in games this is very well designed and a good Nintendo DS game for boys 4-8.

Cars 2: The Video Game is my only other Disney tie in video game recommend here. Good silly fun and a safe bet for most boys 4-12.

Mario Kart DS is really fun and really cute :-) It is a racing game featuring favorite Nintendo Characters like Mario, Bowser and Yoshi. One of the best best Nintendo DS games for boys 4-8 years old released.

New Super Mario Bros.is extremely well designed and loaded with play value. This is a DS game that is always in demand and hold its trade value. Features classic story line of Mario and Luigi and really is a great game. You cannot miss with this.

Mario Party DS More Mario fun. Loaded with mini games and puzzles that action is fun and easy enough for younger boys. Highly recommend this video game. Good for all ages.

Super Scribblenauts blends creativity and action. Make you characters come to life. This is one of the best Nintendo DS games for boys 6,7,8 years old. (Girls like it too! ).

Plants Vs. Zombies Title says it all.. you grow plants that fight zombies. Sounds terrible but in reality is a VERY fun game :-)

Lego Batman and the Star Wars DS game below are two favorites. Excellent design and gameplyt and combining Batman with Lego= FUN. My son adores this game. A good DS game for boys 6-8 years old ( and older!)

Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga If you can only get one game this might just be the one I recommend. Absolutely one of the best Nintendo DS / DSi games for boys 4-8 years old ever released. Follow the complete Star Wars Sage with your Lego characters.

Spongebob Squarepants: Atlantis Squarepantis I am not a big Sponge Bob fan but it is is quite charming and a good Nintendo DS video game for younger boys 4-7 years old.

Phineas and Ferb based on popular TV show. lots of puzzle game and mini games. Good Nintendo DS game for boys 4- 8 years old.

Best Playstation 3 Games for Boys – Top Picks for Best PS3 Games for Boys

By Lisa - Homeschooling Mom | November 19, 2011

Its hard finding Playstation 3 games for boys and teenage boys that they’ll actually play. Gaming console if its Call of Duty or Battlefield 3 but these games are crazy violent and as parent we want to find games that are challenging and fun but don’t give Post Traumatic Stress from playing…
I have been making list of “best video games for…” since 2005 and update often. I am part of busy homeschooling community and talk to lots of kids and they make it a point to bring up the latest video games with me. I am very big on play value- games that cost you 60 bucks shouldn’t be collecting dust on shelf after a day or two.
To be honest PlayStation has very few few QUALITY games for younger kids. I have a list of games Best PlayStation 3 Games for Kids: PS3 Games for Boys and Girls so please check out as well.

Best PlayStation 3 Games for Boys

Updated January 2012
Rayman Origins is silly fun for both girls and boys and one of the Love this game- I think its one of best PlayStation 3 games for boys AND girls out right now.

Rocksmith I have mentioned in other video game post and I think its a great concept.You can plug in a real electric guitar and home you skills while you play. Excellent game and of of the best PS3 games for boys that has come out this year.
If you don’t have electric guitar you can by the more expensive Rocksmith Guitar Bundle which comes with a working electric guitar. If he liked Rockband he will LOVE Rocksmith.

Batman: Arkham City is dark and teen rated. This is not the Batman of Adam West days- much more The Dark Knight, I do not recommend for younger boys but 12 and up will love it. The graphics and story line are excellent. The gameplay is well thought out and this will likely be rated as one of the best games released this year. Also consider the earlier version where Joker takes over the Asylum… Batman Arkham Asylum

Spider-man: The Edge of Time deserves a mention while on a Super Hero kick. This is also rated T for Teen and for kids 12+ years old.

Ultimate Marvel Vs. Capcom 3 features popular comic book characters- Go to battle with 50 of Capcom and Marvel heroes and villains . Boys 8+ will enjoy this game as well as teenagers.

A very good superheroes game for PS3 is Marvel Ultimate Alliance (PS3) This is a 1 or more player game and has great graphics and good gameplay. How can you go wrong with Spider-man and friends? This game is also good for younger kids (Boys 8-12) Solid bet for and one of my picks for best PlayStation 3 Games for boys.

More Best PS3 Games for Boys

A great choice if you are buying a PS3 game for boy is Lego Star Wars: Complete Saga Familiar characters, not too violent and challenging enough for most ages. Also can play up to 4 players and is a co-operative game.

Another PS3 game from the Lego series to take a look at is LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7

A solid bet is Lego Batman if you are looking for a good PS3 game for boys. It is surprising well made and game play is excellent. I also enjoyed watching the fun :-)

What are the Best PlayStation 3 Games for Boys ?

Whats you favorite PS3 game? What do you think are the Best Playstation 3 Games for Boys ? Would love to hear ! Just send me an email or post in comments section.

Topics: Video Games | No Comments »

Take Your Daughter to Work Day! Showing My Daughter How to Set Up WordPress Blog

By Lisa - Homeschooling Mom | November 18, 2011

Had a fun time with Liz today- which was “Take your Daughter to Work Day”. I am not sure if this is a National or International occasion but here Girls in Grade 9 are given the opportunity to spend the day at a parents work. I think this is meant to broaden young women’s thinking about choices and careers.

I have had a pretty busy month- my sites were hacked and I haven’t fully recovered from that… that was followed by a nasty hard drive crash and I have been scrambling this month to catch up- so I have been spending more time than usual on my PC– which has REALLY aggravated my neck and suffering from migraines all week. BLECH.

Anyway- I was actually pretty excited to spend the day with my daughter and teach her some of the things I have learned. She has had a blog set up for years but not done much with it so I thought today would be a good way to jumpstart her blog.

I ugraded her database so I could install latest version of WordPress… then she picked out a new theme. Also had her take a pic of herself to put up on her “about me” page and write a few paragraphs about herself. I thought this was a good exercise for a variety of reasons. I think it bolsters your self esteem to see in black in white what your life looks likes who you are and what you like to do. Many times we are not aware of our own skills and strengths.

By the end of the day I was pleased with what she accomplished although i think she has a new respect for me and work I do!

Topics: General Homeschooling and Unschooling | No Comments »

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