Timberdoodle review

Apologia has a full line-up of colorful, engaging science texts, including Astronomy, Botany, Zoology 1: Flying Creatures, Zoology 2: Swimming Creatures, Zoology 3: Land Animals, Human Anatomy and Physiology, Chemistry and Physics. Exploring Creation with Astronomy, which we received to review from the generous crew at Timberdoodle, is recommended as an early text given its easier-to-understand subject matter.

There are a LOT of science programs out there, so what makes Apologia a wiser choice? Each year, your children get to immerse themselves fully in one topic, and you’ll find they absorb a lot more that way than completing a series of “survey” courses year after year that hit the same subjects over and over again (with varying degrees of difficulty).

We’ve been using Apologia for years and I’m still amazed (as are friends and family members) at the information my boys have retained from their books. And they aren’t just spouting back facts but truly showing an understanding of the topics we’ve covered. I was eager to see how our daughter, Susanna, would like her first foray into the world of Apologia.

As a second grader, Susanna is independently reading now, with occasional help needed for new vocabulary or hard-to-read scientific terms. If using this program with an early or pre-reader, parents can read the text out loud (which is quite enjoyable!) and choose activities from the book and journal which are age-appropriate.

Speaking of the journal, I highly recommend purchasing it as a complement to the text. Your child can do all or some of the activities; it’s up to you! We received the Junior version of the student workbook, which is in full color – a real treat for the eyes! The activities in this companion workbook are geared towards ages 6 to 12, with journaling prompts, crosswords, coloring sheets, experiments and review questions. Susanna especially likes the minibooks, which she can assembled and fill-in as she wishes.

Apologia’s textbooks are so well written, you might just find yourself or your other children picking them up to read and learn just for pleasure. I do it all the time, and now that we’ve built up a nice collection of beautiful Apologia hardbacks, the learning will continue for years.

Illustrations throughout vary widely from lush full-color photos to informative charts and sketches. Interwoven into the text are affirmations of the creative genius of God in our universe, reminding children of Paul’s words “Ever since the creation of the world His invisible nature, namely, His eternal power and deity, has been clearly perceived in the things that have been made.” (Romans 1:20).

Exploring Creation with Astronomy by Apologia
Product details:

Designed for grades K-6 or ages 6-12
176 pages, hardcover
Copyright 2004
Christian (non-denominational) worldview

Apologia’s Exploring Creation with Astronomy textbook is available separately for $39.95 as is the companion Astronomy Notebooking Journal (334 pages, spiral bound, solutions in back).

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The objective of Laser Chess is the same as its predecessor – regicide! Be the first to eliminate your opponent’s king and you’re the victor. But the new spin is that you zap them with lasers! We partnered with Timberdoodle, a marvelous homeschool company, to bring you a review of this new twist on a strategy game that has a 1,500 year-old history.

There are five layouts you can choose from so games have some variability. Set-up takes just a minute or two.

Players take turns moving mirrored playing pieces around the board. They end each turn by firing the laser, removing a man from play if the beam strikes the non-mirrored surface. When the laser strikes the king, that’s checkmate. But be careful because it’s possible to leave yourself open to attack or accidentally bounce the beam at your own regent.

The lasers themselves are encased in two short pieces that are installed at the game board corners. These can be rotated during play to fire and you can follow the path of the beam as it hits the glass side of each piece.

It’s fun to follow the path of the laser as it takes out piece after piece. The same strategy as classic chess applies here; play both offensively and defensively, and stay one step ahead of your opponent, because you don’t want that laser turned on your guys! As soon as you finish one game, you’re likely to ask for a rematch – that’s how engaging it is.

Benjamin takeaway was that Laser Chess is “easy to learn but a challenge to play!” He’s in 7th grade this fall and loves STEM-related games and activities.

Game play typically takes 15 to 20 minutes.

In 2018, Laser Chess was a Parent Tested Parent Approved Top Pick. It also garnered Mensa Select’s 2018 award and got The Dice Tower’s Seal of Approval from Tom Vassel.

The game components themselves get high marks for durability and appearance. The box included a molded insert to stow away all the pieces. Laser Chess is recommended for ages 8 and up (grades 3 and higher). It’s automatically included in Timberdoodle’s complete 7th Grade Curriculum. It includes 26 playing pieces, 2 class one eye-safe lasers, and batteries. Retail price is $43.50.

Laser Chess can help teach and reinforce these skills:

Logic and Problem Solving
Visual Perception
Reasoning
Understanding angles

Check out Timberdoodle’s video short to see Laser Chess in action!

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Science for All Ages: Apologia Astronomy

Laser Chess: New Twist on a Classic Strategy Game