September 2012 Notable Toys — Educational

BUZZLEWORDS® - The Spelling Bee Game is the most fun that children and adults can have while learning spelling, reading and vocabulary. Because the spelling words are taken from actual school word lists, children will master all of the spelling words for his or her grade level just by playing the game. In addition, by reading the words to the speller and by looking up the meanings of words for the speller,  children will improve his or her reading and vocabulary skills while having fun, without even realizing it. Includes Game Board, Tri-Colored Die, 6 Bee Playing Pieces, 300 BUZZLEWORD Cards, 50 BUZZLEBEE Cards.

BUZZLEWORDS® - The Spelling Bee Game is the most fun that children and adults can have while learning spelling, reading and vocabulary. Because the spelling words are taken from actual school word lists, children will master all of the spelling words for his or her grade level just by playing the game. In addition, by reading the words to the speller and by looking up the meanings of words for the speller,  children will improve his or her reading and vocabulary skills while having fun, without even realizing it. Includes Game Board, Tri-Colored Die, 6 Bee Playing Pieces, 300 BUZZLEWORD Cards, 50 BUZZLEBEE Cards.

This marvelous manners game encourages empathy, develops social skills and nurtures a kindness of spirit that will help each player lead a more enjoyable and thoughtful life.
— As of 10/4/2012 this product had 5 out of 5 stars from 5 reviews on Amazon.com.

Kids can build models that move with classic K'NEX pieces. Includes 300+ pieces and ideas to build 30 models like a truck, helicopter and dune buggy. Made in U.S.A.
Awards: 2012 Dr. Toy Best Classic Toys
— Dalene Lockhart, owner of Toy Town in Casper, Wyo., told TDmonthly in a May 2013 survey that K'Nex was one of her best-selling construction toy brands.

The Pharaoh's Egypt puzzle captures a significant event of historical relevance in ancient Egypt. Details that define the location or time are vividly portrayed throughout this 300-piece puzzle.  Icons depicting the historical theme border the finished puzzle and are hidden within the artwork.  A day in the life of the Egyptians along the Nile of Pharaoh’s time becomes a second game once the pieces are in place. Look around the border and deep inside the scene to “find it” – a list of 40 Egyptian items from sandals, sword, necklace, wine jar and pottery, to animals like a cobra, crocodile, leopard, jackals and monkey. Instead of putting the pieces back in the box for another day, consider framing the handsome historic scene. The included key explains the significance of each found object. Puzzle features vibrant artwork from painter Rachel Land and are suitable for framing. Finished puzzle measures 20.75" x 15".
Awards: 2012 Dr. Toy Best Classic Toys, 2012 Dr.Toy Best 20 for $20

The renewed popularity of the subject of dinosaurs and recent sensational archaeological finds have led to this second coming of Scramble Squares® dinosaurs styles, Diggin' Dinos. These dinos are less dragon-like and scary than b. dazzle's original Dinosaurs puzzle and more suitable for the elementary school child.
Awards: 2012 Dr. Toy Best Classic Toys

This Bears Scramble Squares® puzzle is not only one of the most popular Scramble Squares® puzzles, it is among the most beautiful. Bears are cute and cuddly as stuffed cloth playmates, but in the wild, bears are extremely powerful and can be very dangerous animals, especially if they are startled by intruders. Bears have no remaining natural enemies, other than humans and one another. One swat from the powerful foreleg of a brown bear or black bear can break the neck of a deer! In spite of their large size and lumbering walk, bears can run very fast, up to 25 miles per hour, which is faster than the world record for humans in the 100 meter sprint.
Awards: 2012 Dr. Toy Best Classic Toys

The talented author of the best-selling Basher informational series brings his unique sensibility to this fun series of concept books for the youngest readers. Bouncy BoBo is back, leaping through bright, cheerful scenes, and discovering all kinds of amazing opposites—from big elephants and tiny mice to a noisy drum kit and a quiet balloon ride. The super-colorful artwork, bold design, and funny antics will make this a read again favorite for the youngest set. Launch date: April 24, 2012.

The talented author of the best-selling Basher informational series brings his unique sensibility to this fun series of concept books for the youngest readers. From the moment he gets up to the time he goes to bed, lovable (but accident-prone!) BoBo bounces through his day. A big, bold clock face on each spread will help preschoolers learn how to tell the time, and the super-colorful design and silly antics will keep them engaged. Launch date: April 24, 2012.

Match It! First Words Memory is a fun memory game that will challenge problem solving and develop memory skills of young children as they try to find a pair of matching cards. Bright, colorful illustrations help children learn first words through images and reading.
Awards: 2013 TDmonthly Seal of Approval

Match It! Mathematics Memory is a fun memory game that will challenge problem solving and develop memory skills of young children as they try to find a pair of matching cards. Bright, colorful illustrations help children learn basic addition and subtraction.

Moving Through Math: Reading and Moving Books invite children to embody their understanding of mathematics. Brain research shows that young students quickly grasp complex academic content when movement and the imagination are integrated with learning. Meadow Count explores one-to-one correspondence and counting.

Moving Through Math: Reading and Moving Books invite children to embody their understanding of mathematics. Brain research shows that young students quickly grasp complex academic content when movement and the imagination are integrated with learning. This book explores repeating patterns.

Autumn de Forest is ten years old and loves to paint. She has been an avid painter for most of her life, but it was not until her parents placed fine art quality oil paints and canvases within her grasp that her output became not only prolific — but eerily beyond her years. DVD, 20 minutes.

Luis Perez, educator, ceramist, and musician gives a brief history of Pre-Columbian musical instruments – wind and percussion, and shows the materials used in a demonstration of clay whistle construction. He explains the basic principles of sound and how symmetry and asymmetry is applied to the making of finger holes for sound production. He makes an acoustic chamber, creates an aperture for sound, the mouth piece, and the finger holes. He produces the sounds of a clay whistle using various types of finished whistles. Many examples are shown. Grades 6-12. DVD, 23 minutes.

Peggy Flores sets up several still lifes using a variety of subjects, and shows how to display them for the best perspective. She also cuts out templates of various shapes to show how students could compose a still life on a piece of paper. She draws the still lifes in pencil or outlines the paper cutouts and colors them with watercolor, tempera, markers, and colored pencils. Many finished examples are shown. DVD, 18 minutes.