Celebrate National Reading Day With The Book of Life

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Disclosure- We received The Book of Life storybook kits in exchange for this post as part of Fox Home Entertainment’s blogger program.  All opinions are 100% our own.

Happy National Reading Day!
#BookofLifeReading

book of life reading dayI’m a lucky mom.  Both of my girls love to read.  I think their love of reading started when they were both little and we’d snuggle in bed as I read them their favorite stories.  We were excited to learn about National Reading Day.  National Reading Day (January 23, 2015) encourages children all over the country to read.  In honor of National Reading Day and upcoming release of The Book of Life movie on Blu-ray and DVD we received backpacks with lots of The Book of Life school supplies.
book of life backpack2One of the first things my girls did with the school supply sets was to make lists of the books they would like to read this year.  It is a great way to set reading goals for the year and see how many books they have read by the end of the year.  I love the lists because I can look on their lists and use them as wish lists to know what books they’d like me to purchase or borrow from our local library.  What are some of your children’s favorite books?

FREE Printable Reading List

bookoflife_downloads_2015booklistP1230748They may be 9 and 11 years old but they still love to color so they enjoyed coloring a Book of Life picture, too. P1230753P1230751  And showing their love for The Book of Life with the stencils in the kit.
love book of lifeThe theme of family traditions and family history is important in The Book of Life. In our kits we also received certificates to Pinhole Press to create our own The Book of Life themed family storybooks.  At Pinhole Press you can create high quality, personalized photo gifts such as memory games and storybooks.
book of life book of life5
My girls thought they were a little too old to make picture books of our family members but this would be such an amazing book for younger kids, especially to remember relatives that life far away.  Pinhole Press also has other great The Book of Life personalized photo gifts such as a matching game, notebook, and magnetic portrait sheet so my girls decided that they wanted to make some other personalize photo gifts for themselves instead.  They just love that they are The Book of Life themed as it is one of their favorite movies.  They can’t wait for it to come on Blu-ray and DVD on January 27th.

Want to get your own photo gifts from Pinhole Press?  They’d make great Valentine’s Day gifts!

Get 10% off all Pinhole Press products with code BOOKOFLIFE.

(Expires on Valentine’s Day February 14, 2015)

book of life3 book of life4 book of life6 book of life7 book of life8 book of life9

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MerryMakers Plush Dolls Review

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MerryMakers Plush Dolls are collection of huggable dolls based on favorite children’s book characters. These dolls are thoughtfully designed, meticulously crafted and carefully tested.  Having a doll that is based on favorite children’s book characters really brings reading books to a whole new level.  When children have a tangible character in their arms and can read to their huggable literary friends, it makes them want to read more.  Stories really jump off the page when the character is sitting next to you!

Making Reading Merry

Adding Toys to Children’s Books Makes Eager Readers

Oakland, CA – (November 6, 2014) – When toys are added, do the books get better? 

Clair Frederick, President of MerryMakers, Inc., an Oakland, California-based toy and gift company, explains, “We are adding more joy to the joy of reading. When we add a plush based on the lead character from a children’s book, kids become more engaged. A tangible toy brings a deeper relationship with the character in the book.”

“The combination of the book with a related toy involves a child in a more meaningful way. It’s an additional connection to the story,” adds Betsy Foster, VP Sales and Marketing.

Supporting evidence of MerryMakers business plan may be seen inPete the Cat, the popular children’s book series by James Dean, published by HarperCollins. Pete the Cat books have sold over 5 million hardcover copies and have regularly appeared at the top of the NYT Bestseller List.  The Pete the Cat plush doll is the bestselling product in the MerryMakers line.  There seems to be no stopping Pete, with 2.9 million books sold in 2013 alone.

MerryMakers offers a variety of Pete the Cat merchandise, including a Giant Pete the Cat doll, a Pete the Cat backpack pull, a pencil case, a Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons puppet and a Pete the Cat Saves Christmas doll. In addition, MerryMakers acts as the exclusive licensing agent for Pete the Cat and has signed several licensing deals including University Games, Educational Insights, Colorforms and Wonder-Shirts.

Another popular MerryMakers toy is based on Tom Lichtenheld and Sherri Duskey Rinker’s book Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site, published by Chronicle Books. MerryMakers teamed with Chronicle Books to create a plush Excavator, the lead character in the book. Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site has spent over two years on the New York Times Bestseller List, and MerryMakers’s soft excavator is one of the company’s top-selling preschool products.

The MerryMakers catalog of plush and other gifts includes items based on Anna Dewdney’s Llama Llama series, Jane O’Connor and Robin Preiss Glasser’s Fancy Nancy books, Kevin Henkes’s famous mouse Lilly, Ian Falconer’s Olivia, Nick Bruel’s Bad Kitty, Judy Schachner’s Skippyjon Jones, Tedd Arnold’s Fly Guy, David Soman and Jacky Davis’s Ladybug Girl and Melanie Watt’sScaredy Squirrel.

MerryMakers line of toys is loved by kids, praised by parents and acclaimed by teachers.  We chose characters from two of our favorite books.  When my girls were younger I always read them The Kissing Hand (of course for the sake of this post I couldn’t find the actual book).  When my daughters would leave to go somewhere without me (like school) I would give them a kiss on the palm of their hands so they could hold my kiss with them the whole day like in the story.  I just love this cute plush raccoon that is complete with a red heart on his hand.P1230537

My girls also love all of the Just __________ and Me books.  Of course my favorite is Just My Mom and Me.  So we were all exited to see that MerryMakers makes a plush Little Critter doll, too!  P1230540My girls are older now but they still love to read and they now love reading to their new MerryMakers plush dolls.

Here are some of the plush dolls that you can find on the MerryMakers website.
Which one is your favorite?

Pout-Pout Fish Found Floppy Bunny Pete the Cat
Pillow
Lilly
Nelly Gnu Clark the Shark Fancy Nancy
(New Size!)
Gingerbread Man
Pete the Cat
Pencil Case
Fly Guy
(New Sizes!)
Caroline Jayne Church Bear Voyage to the Bunny Planet
How Rocket Learned to Read
(New Size!)
Girl with a Pearl Earring Dot. Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site
Pete the Cat Holiday Llama Llama Holiday Ladybug Girl Bad Kitty
Pete the Cat Pete the Cat
Buttons Puppet
Walter the
Farting Dog
Now in 2 Sizes
Olivia
Now in 3 Sizes
Five Little Monkeys Otis the Tractor Baby Bear Sees Blue Nightsong
Whistle for Willie Peek-a Who? Dear Zoo Little Critter
Llama Llama Puppet Z is for Moose Llama Llama Skippyjon Jones
Penny and Her Song A Ball for Daisy On the Night You Were Born Froggy
Scaredy Squirrel One Love How Do Dinosaurs Say I Love You? The Quiet Book/The Loud Book!
How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night? Only One You The Snowy Day The Kissing Hand
Where Is the Green Sheep? Duck & Goose Aliens Love Underpants Geronimo Stilton
Everywhere Bears History Everywhere Bears Outdoors Park Ranger Bear Doll Park Ranger Backpack Pull
Park Ranger Doll Mysteries of Egypt
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100 FREE Children’s Kindle eBooks PLUS Cooking, Crafts, and More!

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100-free-childrens-ebooks

Books can get so expensive so why not grab some free eBooks for your children and yourself?
Head here to see the list of the Top 100 FREE Children’s eBooks.
Here you’ll find the Top 100 FREE eBooks in lots of other categories such as cooking, crafts, and more!
Check back often as they are updated daily!
Enjoy!

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Little Passports Announces Early Explorers Subscription for Preschoolers

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Little Passports Announces Early Explorers Subscription for Preschoolers
**The links in this post are affiliate links and I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on my link.

little passportsLittle Passports has a wonderful new program for preschoolers, called Early Explorers. Children ages 3 to 5 can experience the joy of learning about new cultures.

Each month, your child will be introduced to a new theme like animals, music, and landmarks. Early Explorers is designed with preschoolers in mind and provides fun and educational activities, souvenirs and stickers. During the first month, a Traveler’s Kit arrives in a fun orange suitcase. It holds everything a child needs to start learning about the world:

  • An activity book introducing new characters Max, Mia, and their dog Toby.
  • A wall-sized world map
  • Stickers and a wall decal
  • A luggage tag

After the first month, a monthly World Theme Kit arrives, which contains:

  • An activity booklet
  • Souvenirs
  • Flashlight Adventures
  • Stickers and wall decals

Early Explorers makes a unique holiday gift for children ages 3 to 5. Learn more about Early Explorers from Little Passports.

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Big Hero 6 Printable Activities, Science Experiments, Recipes, and More #BigHero6 #BigHero6Event

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Big Hero 6 opened in theaters today.  You can check out my Big Hero 6 review post to learn a little more about it.  And here are some great science experiments, printable activities, recipes, and more.  Click each image to be taken to the hi-resolution, printable images.  Enjoy!

baymax rocket fist

Big Hero 6 Science Experiments

big hero 6 recipes

Big Hero Recipes- Wings and More!

invisible ink

More Big Hero 6 Science Experiments

origami baymax

Big Hero 6 Activity Pages

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Ideas For Helping Your School Without Breaking The Bank

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Does your kid’s school keep asking you for money? They need funding for the gym, and cash for excursions and the library doesn’t have enough books. It seems endless, and quite frankly it can get a bit much. We all want our kid’s school to be the very best in the area, but little crumpled notes sent home every asking for donations or payments just fills us with dread. Why can’t there be one fund that is drawn against all year round? Why can’t the school just announce what needs doing in a single communication? Why is it bothering us so much?

I can’t answer any of those, but being honest, perhaps we can do more. Lack of organisation is often to blame for the endless little notes that are sent home with the kids. The teaching staff is busy teaching, and the parents are busy working and parenting. However, social media can help everyone stay in touch without intruding on anybody when it is inconvenient. A lot of schools are turning to this now, but the parents need to be as committed to the process.

The next issue to address is the budget. If everyone committed a few dollars a month to a central pot, they would probably feel happier. Receiving dribs and drabs of requests for individual expenses annoys us. A lot of schools have a central pot, but things do crop up, like that leaky roof or that discounted trip to the space camp. It is possible someone needs to become a little better at budgeting and allocating funds. But maybe the answer is fundraising.

Fundraising for your school can be very hard, time-consuming and costly. One or two people are usually needed to make a noise and hold their hands out. The rest of the parents probably want to run and hide to avoid a commitment. It feels like begging, and nobody likes it. Parents often feel there is little value for money. They are already feeling the pinch from the economy. Scraping together enough for the latest school drive is hurting them.

 

There are services available that can provide ideas for fundraisers. You can also enlist organizations online that specialise in fundraising. These companies can take over the vast majority of the work for you. They can recruit big brands to support the drive. Fundraising organisations provide everything you need to help the parents feel they are getting something back for the process.

4565854135_92f956071f_zImage source Flickr.com

If you are feeling overwhelmed by the idea of asking parents to support the school more, try encouraging the teachers to support the kids getting involved. For example, if they are studying science and weather in class, use art time to make colored windmill ornaments for the garden. These can then be sold to cover the costs of the materials. They will raise awareness of the school fundraising drive, and bring some cash into the pot. While it can be hard to combine curriculum requirements in this way, teachers and parents working together can be quite creative in finding the links.

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IMACS $25 Amazon Gift Card and 8 Week Math Enrichment Program Giveaway

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Now that most school have an emphasis on teaching memorization of formulas and facts for standardized testing as opposed to teaching students how to think logically or creatively, it is nice to have a resource like, Institute for Mathematics and Computer Science, IMACS

IMACS offers a Mathematics Enrichment program (1st-6th), Computer Programming & Virtual Robotics (3rd-9th), University Computer Science (7th-12th), University Mathematics (8th-12th), Hi-Tech Summer Camp (entering 1st-12th), Homeschool Program (1st-9th; Logic Puzzles, Computer Programming & Virtual Robotics, Electronics, Beginning Chess, Serious Fun, Right-Brain Combo) which are all designed to expand your child’s mind through the development of critical thinking, logic and reasoning skills.

Unlike tutoring, IMACS doesn’t drill what your child is already learning in school. IMACS aims to take your child’s knowledge deeper and teach him or her how to develop critical thinking skills and a genuine understanding of the logical reasoning process required to solve real problems, math or otherwise. This is great because it teaches your child(ren) the skills needed to solve the kinds of complex problems found in virtually every career field.

IMACS challenges each student by ability level, not by age which is why they offer a FREE, one-hour placement class that is used to determine your child’s starting point (Don’t worry it’s not a test).

They don’t bore children with repetition and memorization, they make it fun by using a curriculum filled with games, puzzles, virtual robotics, and other engaging activities.

IMACS has locations in Aventura, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, Plantation and Weston.

They also offer pull-out or after-school classes for students who attend American Heritage (Plantation), Pine Crest (Boca Raton), Pine Crest (Fort Lauderdale), The Sagemont School (Weston), University School (Davie), St. Mark’s Episcopal School (Fort Lauderdale), Hochberg Preparatory (Aventura) and Weston Christian Academy (Weston).

A schedule of their classes/programs can be found here: http://www.imacs.org/class-schedules/after-school/

Now on to the Giveaway…

IMACS is giving away a $25 Amazon.com eGift Card AND (1) enrollment in the second quarter of its Mathematics Enrichment program (this 8-week quarter starts the week of November 10th and has a prize value up to $575). The winner may choose to attend classes at any of IMACS’ five South Florida teaching centers and your child will need to attend a FREE placement class so that IMACS can place them in the correct level of instruction.

Disclaimer: No purchase is necessary to enter. One entrant per household, per address. Void where prohibited by law. Winner(s) will be contacted by email and have 24 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen. The sponsor(s) will be responsible for prize fulfillment. Teach Me 2 Save is NOT responsible for prize fulfillment. This event is in no way administered, sponsored, or endorsed by, or associated with, Facebook and/or Twitter, Google, Pinterest. The disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. For questions or to see your product featured in an Event you can contact Leanette (at) TeachMe2Save (dot) com

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GIVE YOUR CHILD AN UNFAIR ADVANTAGE WITH IMACS- Institute for Mathematics and Computer Science #IMACS #CoriReviews

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Disclosure- This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of IMACS.  All opinions are 100% my own.IMACS logoComputer programming. Bio-medicine. Financial Services. Engineering.  All of these high paying careers have one thing in common. They require a mastery of mathematics and the ability to apply logic, critical thinking and creative reasoning.

Unfortunately, most schools don’t teach students HOW to think logically or creatively. Instead the focus is on teaching to standardized tests that only require memorization of formulas and facts.

The good news is that, at the Institute for Mathematics and Computer Science (IMACS), they offer an alternative where your child can develop strong logic and reasoning skills used to solve complex problems.

IMACS LEARNING 2IMACS is not tutoring.  So how does IMACS differ from tutoring?

Here’s the answer from the IMACS Curriculum Development Group: “Unlike tutoring, IMACS doesn’t drill what your child is already learning in school. We understand that your child will learn certain mathematical ideas, including arithmetic and math facts, in school. IMACS aims to take your child’s knowledge deeper and teach him or her how to develop critical thinking skills and a genuine understanding of the logical reasoning process required to solve real problems, math or otherwise.”

Here’s the answer from our students: “IMACS is fun!”

No rote learning, no dry concepts, and no drill-and-kill!
The focus is on creating understanding of the essential tools used to solve interesting problems.  For over 20 years IMACS has been giving children a competitive edge by teaching them HOW to think critically, how to solve problems, and how to use logic and reasoning.

IMACS TRIAL CLASSWho are IMACS classes for?
IMACS is for students who desperately need a challenge worthy of their ability and for those with untapped and unseen academic skills.  IMACS classes are not just for mathematically gifted children; however, those who are talented in math will find that IMACS classes will help them reach their highest potential.

IMACS challenges each student by ability level, not by age.  A free, one-hour placement class is used to determine the starting point. The placement class is fun and does not involve any kind of testing.

IMACS classes are interactive and fun because the curriculum uses games, puzzles, virtual robotics, and other engaging activities; IMACS doesn’t bore children with repetition and memorization.

IMACS emphasizes the development of strong logical reasoning and creative thinking skills needed to solve the kinds of complex problems found in virtually every career field. IMACS is NOT just for students planning to pursue STEM degrees and careers.
sign-kidsDoesn’t your child deserve The IMACS Advantage?  
While IMACS graduates find themselves with more knowledge than their peers, the real advantage is in their ability to apply that knowledge.  As IMACS graduate Zachary K. said, “College was so much easier with the logical thinking skills I learned at IMACS. While classmates tried to memorize each type of problem, I was able to strongly grasp core concepts and use them to solve any problem, even if it was different from those I had seen.”

What Programs Does IMACS Offer?
My girls attended a placement class for the Mathematics Enrichment (1st-6th grade) which is the core program at IMACS.  They had a great time while it challenged their logic and thinking skills in a fun way with games.  IMACS employs lively and innovative methods of teaching higher level math and advanced logical thinking skills to elementary and middle school students.  Each lesson is carefully crafted by the IMACS Curriculum Development Group to combine games, logic puzzles, mathematical problem-solving and other intellectually exciting activities that help students develop logical and critical thinking skills and the ability to deal with abstractions.

IMACS offers several other programs (student grade level estimate in parentheses)- Computer Programming and Virtual Robotics Enrichment (3rd-8th grade), University Computer Science (7th-12th grade), and University Logic for Mathematics (8th-12th grade).

IMACS also offers a Hi-Tech Summer Camp (students entering 1st-12th).  Students can choose from individual classes (Logic Puzzles, Computer Programming & Virtual Robotics, and Electronics) or a full day program that includes all 3.  My girls will be going to the IMACS full day camp program for a week this summer.  Keep an eye out to see what they did and how they liked it.  

Do you homeschool your child?  IMACS has a Homeschool Program (1st-9th)- Logic Puzzles, Computer Programming & Virtual Robotics, Electronics, Beginning Chess, Serious Fun, Right-Brain Combo.  The homeschool program is offered at the Boca and Plantation locations.

Find an IMACS Class near you:
South Florida IMACS locations
Aventura
Boca Raton
Fort Lauderdale
Plantation
Weston

In-School Classes
IMACS holds pull-out or after-school classes at the following schools:

  • American Heritage (Plantation)*
  •  Pine Crest (Boca Raton)*
  • Pine Crest (Fort Lauderdale)*
  • The Sagemont School (Weston)
  • University School (Davie)*
  • St. Mark’s Episcopal School (Fort Lauderdale)
  • Hochberg Preparatory (Aventura)
  • Weston Christian Academy (Weston)*

* classes only available for students who attend this school

If you aren’t near an IMACS location, they also have two distance learning programs, eIMACS and Elements of Mathematics: Foundations, for middle and high school students.

Ready to have your child take a FREE placement class to see just what all the fun is about?
Sign up now for a FREE PLACEMENT CLASS.

*****Exclusive 20% Discount****
Please make sure to tell them that you heard about IMACS from Cori’s Cozy Corner.
This will give you an exclusive 20% discount on first quarter classes if you are a new student to IMACS.

IMACS is also giving away an 8 week class session to one of my lucky winners.  Read below to see how to enter.  
Good luck!

  • IMACS is giving away one enrollment in the first quarter of its Mathematics Enrichment program described at http://www.imacs.org/class-curriculum/math-enrichment/. Depending on location, this 8-week quarter generally starts during the second week of September 2014. Exact schedules can be found at http://www.imacs.org/class-schedules/after-school/. Any student, currently enrolled at IMACS or not, may qualify for this giveaway.
  • The winner may choose to attend classes at any of IMACS’ five South Florida teaching centers (Aventura, Boca, Ft. Lauderdale, Plantation, and Weston).
  • The winner will need to attend a placement class so that IMACS can place them in the correct level of instruction.
  • In addition, a new family who enrolls a new student in the first quarter of Mathematics Enrichment this Fall and indicates that they learned about IMACS from the sponsored post will receive 20% off their tution for this first quarter. This discount may not be combined with any other discounts including, but not limited to, the standard sibling discount.
  • To qualify, entrants must complete BOTH of the mandatory entries on the Giveaway Tools Widget below:
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Education.com – Brainzy Free Trial!

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I just love educational games for my girls.  Much better than apps that suck them in but do nothing for their brains!  And when they are fun, they don’t even realize they are learning.  Win Win!
Sign up today and try Brainzy free for 7 days


Unlimited access to hundreds of math and reading games plus teaching videos and stories. Brainzy helps develop a lifelong love of reading by making practice fun. 

Brainzy can be played on iPads and on desktop and laptop computers. 

Makes a great holiday gift for a friend or relative! 

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Have a 2-6 Year Old? Try ABC Mouse For FREE!

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Little ones are such sponges.  Capture their interest in learning with ABCMouse.  They are offering 30 days of their educational program for FREE.  It offers everything from phonics to math and more geared for 2-6 year olds!  They even have a homeschool curriculum.

This is a great program and as a teacher, I highly recommend it.  Of course as a deal blogger I also love the fact that it’s FREE for 30 days!  If you decide to keep this wonderful program after the 30 days it is only $7.95 per month.  Well worth it for a safe educational program for your little one.
Get your FREE 30 days of ABCMouse now!

The Step-by-Step Learning Path presents the full ABCmouse.com curriculum in a carefully designed program of more than 450 lessons in six levels. As your child completes each lesson, he or she is guided to the next one and is motivated to continue learning by ABCmouse.com’s Tickets and Rewards System. 

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