Keeping My Youngest Interested ~ His Notes on Caesar

Here's an idea that I used with my youngest today.   His sister was reading aloud the chapter in The Story Of The World (Volume 1) about Julius Caesar (She did this for me so I could make the meatloaf for dinner, but I think I may have her read the chapters all the time now!).  It was rather long, and I wanted to encourage him to listen closely.  He had already finished a coloring page of Caesar, so I challenged him to write as many words as he could that interested him (from the reading) and then could he tell the story back to me?

Here's his list...  I was amazed at what that little six year old brain picked out of the story, and also amazed at what he retained by doing this.  I'm thinking I'll also let him use colored pencils and markers next time to make the words more visually exciting.   He loves "taking notes" in his notebook just like his big sister.  I don't correct spelling or neatness.  I just want him to be engaged and listening, which he very much was!  

When his dad asked him tonight where "monkeys" came from, he was quick to tell him about Cleopatra and her monkeys.  This was a little detail that almost escaped my daughter and I!   I also love "nervous"... funny what these little minds get out of a big history lesson, isn't it?   

Have I mentioned how much I love homeschooling?

How do you encourage your little ones to sit and listen during read-alouds or longer lessons?   I'm learning as we go along...

A Game That Stretches the Mind ~ Tri Cross

 

 We're all about games in our house.  The very day we received Tri-Cross in the mail I came home and my husband had gotten out the game to teach my daughter to play.  The game is visually appealing and the instructions are clear and concise, so it was easy to get started. As you can see from the above picture, the game has won several awards, so right away I knew it would probably be wonderful.  

Later that evening, my husband taught me to play and we stayed up late playing the game.  It is a game that involves a lot of strategy and problem solving.  I liken it to the thinking that goes on when we play chess and backgammon.  The game has won several awards and after playing it for several weeks I can see why it gets such high praise.   

The Tri-Cross Basics:

You can purchase Tri-Cross at specialty toy and school supply stores and you can also purchase it online.  The standard board game is $24.95.  The deluxe wood edition is $35.95.   There is also a handly little travel edition which is $19.95.    (We received the standard game, travel game, and an instructional DVD for review.)

It is recommended for children 8 and up.  My ten year old got the hang of it quite nicely (although games were much shorter with her than they were between my husband and I!).  My six year old learned to play, but I'm not quite sure he got the strategy part of the game.  I think in time, however, he could learn.  

To see how to play Tri-Cross in detail, watch any of the videos by clicking here.   This, in addition to the detailed instructions that come with the game make it very easy to learn.  I still keep the instructions out when we play as a visual, which is very helpful for my children!  

You can connect with Tri-Cross on Facebook, Twitter and via their website.  

The Travel Version of Tri-Cross

What We Thought of Tri-Cross:

We were thankful to receive this game for review!   It has been a lot of fun, and I can definitely see it stretching my children's minds.   At the price of $19.95 (for the travel edition) it is a little pricey.  Perhaps this would be a good Christmas or birthday gift.   I would recommend it if you have children that love strategy games... it's also great to stretch the minds of mom and dad!   

You can read what other crew members thought about this game at the offical TOS Crew blog.

*Disclaimer: I received the above named product from TOS Crew in return for my honest review. I have not been compensated in any other form.