Free Printable Beginning Readers

I have found a few more beginning readers that you can print out (or read on-line) with your beginning readers.

One, Two, Three, Four, Five

One, Two, Three, Four, Five features fun photographs of real-life kids playing at the park.  It focuses on the number words as well as a few common sight words.

A Home for Flap The Cat

A Home for Flap The Cat is about two sisters and their cat, Flap. The text focuses on the number words as well as a few common sight words.


The Path to Frog's New Home

The Path to Frog's New Home tells the story of a frog looking for a new home. The text focuses on the number words as well as a few common sight words.



For more beginning readers visit this post.

Disney's Epic Mickey 2:The Power of Two Video game review

You could have heard the screams from miles away when we told my boys that we were selected to review Disney's new video game, Epic Mickey 2: The Power of 2. They already loved the first game, so they were excited to try out the sequel. I am by no means a gamer myself, but the boys in my household (hubby included) definitely are.  The boys were jumping up and down begging me to let them play the game already while I snapped this shot of the cover.

Epic Mickey 2 The Power of Two returns the gamer to the Wasteland which is an imaginary world

 based on classic Magic Kingdom attractions like Frontierland and Adventureland. After the Wasteland is torn up by earthquakes, Mickey is summoned to help restore it — and find out what caused the disaster.  Mickey has a magical paint brush at his disposal that can shoot paint or thinner. 

In the second game, Mickey is joined by Oswald the rabbit as he battles to save the Wasteland.  From what my boys tell me (and my observations) - a second player can control Oswald.  If you choose to play alone, the computer will automatically control Oswald.

All six of my boys (ages 6 to 19) were enthralled with the game for hours.

And so was my biggest kid (AKA the hubster)!

While I am not a video game fan, I am definitely a Disney fan, and I really enjoyed watching the boys play.  There is a storyline, Disney characters, references to the Amusment Parks, and great music.  A lot like watching a Disney movie.

One thing that I really loved about the game as a mom is that it really fosters cooperation.  Players have to work together to accomplish things in the game - and that is a skill that any siblings can definitely work on!

If this is not on your shopping list for your favorite gamers for Christmas, it definitely should be!

Epic Mickey 2 The Power of 2 is available on XBox 360, PS3, and Nintendo Wii to satisy any gamer preference.

 


Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Disney's Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two the video game. I received a copy of the game and additional compensation in order to facilitate the review, but all opinions are mine.

More Free Beginning Leveled Readers

When you have a beginning reader, it is sometimes difficult to find reading material that fits their independent reading level.  Here are a few free beginning leveled readers:

A Rainy Day

A Rainy Day tells the story of two adorable puppies who are sad about the fact that it is raining.  The text focuses on the sight words: look, see, and is.

A Pig's Life

A Pig's Life focuses on the sight words: are, do, and that.  The story accounts a day in the life of a pig with fun examples and illustrations.

A Musical Adventure

A Musical Adventure tells the story of a few friends who make music with items from their house.  The text focuses on the sight words: can, you, and we.  It also focuses on the phonic -ap family (i.e. tap, rap, etc,)

For more beginning readers check out this post as well.

Lock Up Your Love With Master Love Lock

I first heard about love locks on bridges on an episode of Shannen Says. The show followed her and her fiancee as they traveled to Prague and locked up their love with a padlock on the bridge.  I must say that I thought it was quite romantic, and I had an urge to travel with my hubby to "lock up our love". 

Luckily for out bank account, we might not have to travel all the way to Europe to participate in this amazing tradition.  Master Lock is launching www.MasterLoveLock.com, a site that invites visitors to lock up their love—virtually securing their bond to each other and simultaneously generating donations for the American Heart Association.


“Padlocks have been recognized as symbols of strength and security for decades, which makes the love locks tradition such a heartfelt gesture,” said Rebecca Smith vice president, marketing, for Master Lock. “With the launch of www.MasterLoveLock.com and our commitment to the American Heart Association, supporters can make their own declaration of affection and in doing so, show others a little love by increasing our donation to a good cause.”

Master Lock is donating an initial $10,000 to the American Heart Association and will donate an additional dollar for every love lock created and sent through the new site (up to $5,000) beginning October 19 through December 31, 2012.

Sweethearts, family members and friends can head to www.MasterLoveLock.com and virtually lock up their affection for loved ones or memorialize loved ones on various iconic bridges throughout the world in four easy steps - no travel required. Visitors select a lock, choose a bridge to secure their lock to, and upload a private photo and personal message for their loved one. To officially lock-up their love, the customized “love lock invitation” is sent to the recipient via email. If your love lock is honoring someone lost, send the invitation to yourself for acceptance. Once the invitation is accepted, the love lock and message are posted on the site’s public gallery, securing this symbol of endearment forever.

For more information or to send a virtual love lock, please visit www.MasterLoveLock.com or Master Lock’s website at www.masterlock.com. You can also download an App by visiting your App Market. For more information about the American Heart Association, please visit http://www.heart.org/.   Who would you lock your love with?

Free Beginning Leveled Reader

If you have a beginning reader at your house, you may want to check out these free leveled readers. Hap is Hot focuses on the beginning consonant H.  It also features sight words such as: is, can, and are.

Hap is Hot

Hob Can Hit also focuses on the beginning consonant H. It also features sight words such as can, see, and is.

Hob Can Hit

Fish Can Swim focuses on the sight words: are, do, and that as it tells a few facts about fish.

Fish Can Swim

Thanksgiving Mad Libs Freebie

I absolutely LOVED Mad Libs when I was a kid, and I am happy to say that my kids love them too. I think it is a great way to sneak in some grammar skills while having some fun.  I love this Thanksgiving Mad Libs freebie from My Sister's Suitcase ! I think it will be a great activity for the boys to do while we are waiting to eat our yummy feast on Thanksgiving.  I bet it would be a great activity in your house as well!

Thanksgiving Mad Libs

Mayflower Addition Game

Here is a fun Mayflower Addition Game to help your kiddos reinforce their math fact speed.  Simply add some dice and crayons and you are ready for a fun review!

Mayflower Addition Game