Sing, Sing a Song Saturday

Sing, Sing a Song Saturday is all about me discovering something that is different. I don't want to post things that you and I have more than likely heard before. I want to find something different. It could be from another country, someone singing from the streets of NY, and more.

I really like the animations below. They are by Animusic. The animations are really well thought out!

I entertained the boys for a long while with their videos. They both were in awe. 

Animusic's founder Wayne Lytle began to envision algorithmically synchronizing music and animation almost 30 years ago, and started experimenting in 1989. 10 years later on computer artist David Crognale was on board.

Right now they are on Kickstarter.

Pipe Dream is their most popular video

Visit Animusic's website.
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Visit Animusic's twitter page.

Sing, Sing a Song Saturday

Sing, Sing a Song Saturday is all about me discovering something that is different. I don't want to post things that you and I have more than likely heard before. I want to find something different. It could be from another country, someone singing from the streets of NY, and more.

This week I'm going to feature a very cool animation I found. I've been researching graffiti art for the last 2 weeks. There's an upcoming project I have in the works that involves graffiti. No I'm not going to be secretly paining on buildings.

This animation is made by a company called BLU. BLU is an Italian artist who conceals his real identity. He was born in Senigallia, and lives in Bologna. He's been active in street art.

Source

 This animation is pretty cool:

Robot Turtles Review

I was so happy to get a game ThinkFun called Robot Turtles to review. The boys love games.

The boys were so excited to play! Mica opened up everything. There is a lot of instructions to the game. I found it easy to watch some YouTube reviews of the game before playing. I'm so right brained that sometimes I get things better after I see how it's done/played.

Here's a YouTube review we created when the boy's played:

A few things about Robot Turtles:

• It's the most backed board game in Kickstarter history.


• It teaches preschoolers the fundamentals of programming, from coding to functions.


• Once it's explained how to play, kids get it.


• It takes 5 to 15 minutes to play. I think this is a great quality. Kids just don't have the attention span for long games. 


• It provides endless learning opportunities. 


• It's a $25 value.

Before you know it, your little one will be writing computer games rather than just playing them!

You may be wondering just like I did how kids can learn animation, while playing a board game? Seeing the cards up close may help you to understand.

These are the card that kids use to move. They move their turtle character just like a controller for a video game move right, straight, and left.

   

Another card kids can use is the zap card. This card has the ability to zap the road block (ice) to a puddle of water to move forward.

 The front of the card looks like ice; once zapped the backside of the card looks like water. Turtles can't walk through ice, but they can pass through water.

Other road blocks is the create and stone. The create can be moved by the turtle's head, but only when the turtle is facing forward. The stone can not be passed at all. The turtles have to walk around the stone.

The turtle is the character. The object of the game is for the turtle to reach the gem. There are 4 turtles, and 4 gems. 2-4 players can play.

There is only 1 bug token. This token is used if a child decided they turned the wrong direction. It's an "I messed up, and changed my mind token."

There is a Function Frog card that is only used for more advanced players. From what I understand this card is used when kids have a pattern going in their animation. We haven't played with this card as of yet.

  

What we thought: 

• My kids loved the game! We played it 3 times in a sitting.


• It seems like a game for little kids. Ideally preschool to 2nd grade would be the age that would enjoy this game. 


• While Isaak (age 6) got into how the game is played, Mica (age almost 9) got into the Turtles characters, and wanted to go online to check out all the extras they have on their website. 


• The directions were confusing to me, but now after watching how it's played on YouTube I get it. It's much easier than I was trying to make it. I think all the different card had me overwhelmed. I'm a very visual person. My brain just thinks better with seeing it in action than reading.


• I love how the game helps with left and right. My goodness left and right is something this newer generation has problems with. I see it in their martial arts class all the time. Kids just don't know the difference between left and right. This game reinforces directions. 


• I can see how it helps them learn how to animate. Every card they pick to move, and zap goes in one long straight line from left to right. If you've ever done coding, or played with the program Flash, or Dreamweaver they work just like that.


• We don't know how we feel about there not being a winner. Everybody wins in this game. I think the reality of their being a winner in games builds character on the loser's part. 


• We all really enjoy that the game board can be set up different ways to give variety each time it's played.

• I enjoyed playing. I actually got more into making sound effects when I was playing, and not video taping. My kids (especially Mica) have always gotten into making sound effects. I think they liked hearing me make sound effects. Instead of hearing me say, "Stop it!" I was joining in.

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I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Sing, Sing a Song Saturday

Sing, Sing a Song Saturday is all about me discovering something that is different. I don't want to post things that you and I have more than likely heard before. I want to find something different. It could be from another country, someone singing from the streets of NY, and more.

This week I ran across an interesting animation. The animation is created at the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw by motion designer: Daniel Marciniak. It takes place in a white room. There are just black lines that form throughout the video.

This is a screen shot from the video below.

Death Grips is the band. The electronic music certainly adds to the video. With the lines and music combination, they really make the white room feel like it's moving.

Death Grips is an experimental hip hop group from Sacramento, California, formed in 2010. The group consists of rapper Stefan Burnett, drummer Zach Hill, and producer Andy Morin.

The music is heavier than what I usually listen to. I'm willing to give anything a try. It's more my husband's taste. In many cases the singer screams. There is cussing in their music that has lyrics mixed in. I'll save your ears, and just post the one that has no lyrics. There is a raw quality about the music that's interesting. It almost sounds tribal.

Check out animator Daniel Marciniak's work.

If you like Death Grips listen to more of their music here.
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Rock N Learn DVD Review and Giveaway!

I love products that are fun, and help my kids learn! 

I had a wonderful chance to review Sight Words Level 3 by Rock N Learn.

Isaak just started Kindergarten, so the DVD is a little advanced for him. We already started working with him on site words. Even though this DVD is for first graders, Isaak was still zoned into the TV!  In fact Mica, who is in second grade joined in on watching it. It's just a matter of time before words come together for Isaak. I truly believe any reading is great for them.

They both didn't want me to hit the pause button for them to eat breakfast. It's 50 minutes of fun and learning. They thought it was super cool!

To be honest I didn't know what sight words were before Mica started school. I was taught with phonics. Once I saw Mica learning the words, I was sold. He learned to read so fast! It's all about visually learning words that are used every day. Repetition is key.

What I like about Rock N Learn is that they do have different levels of DVDs. They start out with Level 1 (pre-k) and move onto Level 2 (Kindergarten). I'm going to go buy Level 2. Isaak seemed to really enjoy the DVD they sent us.
 

The Words Covered on Sight Words Level 3: 

Some of the words from Level 1 and Level 2 are reviewed on this DVD. Then they get into new words.

just • stop • think • about • know • put • them • then
as • going • by • would • ask • walk • his • when • back • thank
open • door • close • over • river
once • an • old • has • again • if • could • fly • how • day • try
people • each • other • take • some • time
him • her • number • these • their • way • games
round • table • may • give • lives • after • write • many • birds
left • from • heart • of • every • had • part • any • were • more • work • which • why • gave

About the Rock N Learn Sight Level 3:

The DVD is filled with bright, colorful animation to help capture interest. It has humor, and catchy songs. There are different characters like zany armadillo Festus and his friends that make this video fun to watch. 

Find a store near you!

It's Giveaway Time! One of you is going to win your choice of DVD or CD. - US only. A $19.99 value. 

They were nice enough to send me a coupon code for you to get 25% off anything off their site! It is: JQ7711 

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclaimer: The opinions on the post are my personal take on the product. This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review. You need to be over the age of 18 to enter. This giveaway is for the US only. I did get products to help with the review. The winner will need to respond back within 48 hours, or I will pick a new winner.