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GAME REVIEW: Election Night

October 28, 2020 by Katherine Wolfe Leave a Comment

{This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our Disclosure Policy for details.}

Election Night is available on Amazon HERE.

Read on for a detailed REVIEW.

We use a lot of educational games in our homeschool, especially in areas where my son needs extra work {hello spelling and math!} but I also like to find games that help teach topics that we don’t spend every day working on like geography, general science and the often-confusing ELECTORAL COLLEGE.

This game, Election Night, was designed specifically to teach about the ELECTORAL COLLEGE so I figured this was the perfect time to try it out!

Read on for a helpful review of Election Night!

In addition to reviewing the

FUN FACTOR and the

EDUCATIONAL VALUE,

I will also include info on the

ORGANIZATIONAL COMPONENT,

TIME COMMITMENT,

CLARITY LEVEL

and an OVERALL SCORE.

NAME: Election Night!

PUBLISHER: Semper Smart

CATEGORY: Social Studies

SUB CATEGORY: Government

TIME COMMITMENT: Moderate {30+ minutes}

PLAYERS: 2 {or Teams of 2+}

HOW TO WIN: Be the first to claim 270 electoral votes!

CLARITY LEVEL: ♥♥♥♥_ The instructions look a bit overwhelming at first, and frankly, even when you begin to read them, they seem a little complicated. But, they’re not. We decided to read the instructions quickly and then to just start playing. As we played, things made more sense and we were able to reference the instructions as we went. It’s not a speed-dependent game so taking this approach worked perfectly fine. But, it’s probably not a game that a couple of 8 year-olds would be able to figure out on their own based on the instructions alone. ♥♥♥♥_

FUN FACTOR: ♥♥♥♥♥ This is a rather FUN game! I’ll admit that politics and FUN don’t usually go together in my brain but this game proved me wrong ….at least in one small way. It’s not like I think much else related to politics is FUN but this was definitely a FUN way to learn about an important topic. My son, who is 13, absolultey loved this game and had a blast trying to strategize how to win. He loved it so much that he asked to play two days in a row! We got a lot of laughs when we realized we must sound like real politicians when we said things like,

“I need to alter my focus and try to take California. I cannot win without California. I MUST MAKE CALIFORNIA MINE!”

“Ugh. North Dakota is just not worth it. Isn’t there another state I can claim?”

“I should probably start working on New York…or maybe Florida. I don’t know which. How do I decide?”

“I have absolutely no interest in that state…” as he sacrifices a special card to roll again and try to gain a different state. Poor Wyoming. ♥♥♥♥♥

EDUCATIONAL VALUE: ♥♥♥♥♥ With a tagline like “Learn your way to the White House,” I had high expectations of this game’s EDUCATIONAL VALUE. And, I’m happy to report, I was NOT DISAPPOINTED! Not only did this game do a stellar job of reinforcing what my son has been learning about the ELECTORAL COLLEGE, but MATH was used multiple times on every turn and in a variety of ways. And for a kid who does not love MATH, but needs the practice, games that offer FUN opportunities for MATH to be used, are the perfect choice! {BONUS: The gameboard is two-sided. One side is used with ADDITION and the other side is used with MULTIPLICATION. So, it’s GREAT for kids of many levels.} Then there’s the entire concept of STRATEGY. I will admit that I tend to shy away from “strategy games” because they take too much time and are usually slow-paced {which, for me, means not exactly my type of FUN} but with this game, STRATEGY is key {and, thankfully, not too time-consuming.} My STRATEGY was to claim as many states as quickly as possible, even if it meant they were small states with few electoral votes. My son’s STRATEGY was to claim the big states and their bounty of electoral votes. Wanna guess who won? ♥♥♥♥♥

ORGANIZATIONAL COMPONENT: ♥♥♥♥♥ Maybe I should be embarrassed by the fact that the way a game, its box and all of the components are organized matters to me. But, I’m not! Organization is important in my home and that trickles all the way down to the way our games hang out on the shelf. I hate when boxes cave in or when pieces are easily lost. But, Election Night ranks 5/5 in this important-to-us category! The box is sturdy and has a strong plastic insert where everything has a designated spot. All of the pieces are high quality, which is especially important because the game requires using dry-erase markers directly on the board. I am sure the red and blue dry-erase markers will eventually wear out but those can be easily replaced. The game board itself is two-sided and very well-made. At first, I was nervous that the dry-erase marks would not erase easily or fully but they did, though I would not suggest leaving the marks on the board for days/weeks/months in between games. ♥♥♥♥♥

OVERALL SCORE: ♥♥♥♥♥ This was a complete hit in our home! Not only was it tons of fun, it was also filled with educational value too. I would highly recommend this to families with kids AND ADULTS of all ages! And though it would be a fabulous choice to play during an election year, it is also a great choice at anytime. ♥♥♥♥♥

If you are ready to offer your entire family a really fun way to learn about the electoral college, you can snag it here on Amazon.

If you are needing other fun ways to teach about the ELECTORAL COLLEGE, check out this PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION FACT PACK. It’s a quick, easy and fun way to teach the ELCTION PROCESS to kids of various ages and levels.

Three More FLAG FACTS You Probably Don’t Know {but should!}

June 23, 2020 by Katherine Wolfe 1 Comment

While doing research for a Flag Day Resource, I learned some really interesting facts about our flag. I learned so many interesting Flag Facts, in fact, that there were too many for just one post so I decided to highlight THREE MORE FLAG FACTS.

Before you read FLAG FACTS 4-6, you might want to check out the first three FLAG FACTS at THREE FACTS YOU PROBABLY DON’T KNOW ABOUT OUR FLAG.

FLAG FACT FOUR: The arrangement of our stars has a really sinuous history. In 1777, Congress specified that our flag should have 13 stars on a blue field and 13 alternating red and white stripes. But they did not specify how the stars should be arranged. And as new states were added, so were new stars and, therefore, the arrangement kept changing. And since Congress hadn’t specified an arrangement, flagmakers just came up with various designs.

Between 1776 and 1960, we’ve had twenty-seven different star arrangements including….

and, of course,

Then there was my least favorite, the

design of 1859.

Thankfully, somewhere along the line {1912, to be exact,} the specific arrangement of stars, along with other details, were mandated and that gave us a flag that was nicely organized and

Then, in 1958, as Alaska and Hawaii were nearing statehood, President Eisenhower requested that Americans submit design suggestions on how to arrange the stars to reflect 50 states. Thousands of designs were submitted, including one from a 16-year-old student from Ohio.

Robert G. Heft submitted his design after his high school teacher had turned Eisenhower’s request into a class assignment. Despite the fact that Robert’s teacher gave him a B- for his efforts, his design was selected and it is what we still use today!

I find that pretty interesting! Few, if any, other 16-year-old kids can claim such an iconic symbol as their own design.

FLAG FACT FIVE: Our flag is the third oldest flag still in use. The Stars and Stripes is only younger than the flag of

which was created in 1219

and the flag of

which has been around since 1572.

Now, this interesting fact should not be confused with how old the world’s various countries really are, because if you know much history at all, you know the US is considered to be a relatively young country at less than 250 years old. But, as some countries have decolonized, wars have been waged and other countries have changed their constitutions, flags have been changed.

Take the U.K. for instance. Obviously, Great Britain is older than we are {considering the fact that we exist simply because we wanted to free ourselves from them} but their flag, commonly known as the Union Jack, is only 219 years old. Why? Because they redesigned their flag in 1801 when they added Ireland to their “United Kingdom”.

So, as long as you don’t directly compare the age of flags with the age of countries, the fact that our flag is the third oldest in the world is a fact you could certainly use to impress your friends {or at least look cool when answering Jeopardy questions.}

FLAG FACT SIX: Astronauts didn’t fly with our flag until their eighth mission. The iconic look of our astronaut’s spacesuits with Old Glory on the shoulder wasn’t a part of our space program until 1965. And considering that the Space Race has been part of the international political climate since 1955, this is a rather interesting fact.

But what’s even more interesting is the fact that it was an astronaut himself that had the idea. And then he paid for the flag patch out of his own pocket! Astronaut Ed White was scheduled to make America’s first spacewalk on the Gemini IV mission. Realizing the historic nature of the photos that would be taken, he and mission commander Jim McDivitt paid out of their own pockets for flag patches to wear on their uniforms. Recognizing a good idea, NASA then made them standard issue.

Of these THREE FLAG FACTS, which do you find the most interesting? Leave a comment below and let me know!

If you enjoyed this post, you might want to check out my other FLAG FACTS post, THREE FACTS YOU PROBABLY DON’T KNOW ABOUT OUR FLAG.

Three Facts You Probably Don’t Know About Our Flag

June 8, 2020 by Katherine Wolfe 16 Comments

Flag Day is just around the corner and if you are anything like me, you probably have little clue what the holiday means.

But, don’t worry. I did a wee bit of research {thanks Google} on the subject of Flag Day {mostly because I did not want my son to be clueless on the subject too} and found the simple answer.

Flag Day is celebrated on June 14th and has been set aside to commemorate the day we adopted our nation’s flag, June 14, 1777. On that day, nearly 250 years ago, the Second Continental Congress adopted the country’s first official flag by resolution.”

This just means that the most important powdered-wig wearing men of the day voted on an official flag. And they did so on June 14th, 1777, so we are supposed to celebrate that fact every June 14th.

It’s that simple.

But, my research revealed some other really interesting facts. I learned several things that caused me to wonder why my parents paid good money for a private school education.

But I’ll just share three of the most interesting things I learned.

FLAG FACT ONE: The version of our flag that we first flew had Great Britain’s Union Jack in the prime corner spot.

In order to find this interesting, you have to know two things:

A. At that exact moment in time, we considered Great Britain to be our oppressors and were currently at war to free ourselves from them.

B. Great Britain’s flag consisted then {and still does} of one big fat Union Jack.

So, why on earth was it ever considered a good idea to have our oppressor’s flag highlighted on ours? Thankfully, George Washington, who was the commander of the Continental Army at the time, wised up and decided this would be bad for morale among the soldiers and the Union Jack was replaced with stars {one for each original colony}.

FLAG FACT TWO: Despite what any kindergarten kid will tell you, there is no real proof that Betsy Ross had anything to do with our flag. As we all know, Betsy Ross is credited with making the first flag {like the one pictured above,} but there is actually no historical proof that this is the case. There are no records from the Continental Congress, no letters from George Washington, no written correspondence from anybody about Betsy’s role in sewing the first flag.

So, why are we taught that Betsy Ross had anything to do with the creation of our flag? Because Betsy’s relatives claim that they heard extensive details of the flag’s creation. While the evidence is simply not sufficient to definitively classify it as a fact or a fiction, you can examine that evidence yourself and draw your own conclusions. You can read the testimony of William Canby and the affidavits of Rachel Fletcher, Sophia Hildebrant and Margaret Boggs to decide for yourself.

FLAG FACT THREE: We’re not supposed to be wearing the flag unless it’s on the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations.

This means that Old Navy has been doing this all wrong.

And so have Olympic athletes,

cowboy boot manufacturers,

and recent mask makers.

The rules for handling and displaying the U.S. Flag are defined by a law known as the U.S. Flag Code. There are dozens of rules to follow and you can read them in full here, but the one rule I am referencing reads like this:

The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery. It should never be festooned, drawn back, nor up, in folds, but always allowed to fall free.”

There is debate whether this means you can’t make any items that even remotely represent the flag {see the mask above} or whether you just can’t take an actual flag and wear it like clothing {see Shaun White’s photo above.}

Either way, I found it very surprising since we see dogs wearing flag bandannas, models wearing flag bikinis and advertisements for flag blankets, rugs and tableware all the time.

Which flag fact did you find most interesting?

If you want to read more interesting FLAG FACTS, check out this post, Three More FLAG FACTS You Probably Don’t Know {but should!}

And if you are looking for a quick and fun resource to learn more about FLAG DAY, check out this FLAG DAY FACT PACK. You can snag it for free here {if you subscribe to my newsletter.} Or if you prefer to pay for it, you can head here instead. It’s perfect for kids of nearly every age {and adults will certainly learn from it too!}

Why Our Kids Need to Understand the ELECTION PROCESS {no matter how we feel about politics}

May 7, 2020 by Katherine Wolfe 32 Comments

Whether you are a classic homeschooler whose kids have never stepped foot in a traditional school or you are a reluctant parent facilitating your child’s education at home during this crisis….

Whether you have precious early elementary kids or moody teenagers nearing adulthood…

Whether you detest politics or live and die by Fox News…

Whether you cried when Obama‘s second term was up, voted for Trump in 2016, or have been burning for Bernie for several years, doesn’t matter. Your kids need to understand the election process.

No matter what you believe or how you feel about the 2020 presidential candidates, your kids need to understand our country’s election process.

And here are three simple reasons why…

ONE: KIDS NEED TO UNDERSTAND OUR HISTORY It wasn’t until I started homeschooling my own son that I developed an understanding of the value of our country’s history. Don’t get me wrong. I’ve always been patriotic and knew basic facts about the founding of our country but I never truly appreciated the need to understand our full and complete history. Our history is one of both planning and perseverance, and the process by which we elect our presidents is a testimony to both. The concept of the Electoral College was not accidental. The age at which the president can be elected is not arbitrary. The allowances that different states have to run their elections is not incidental. All of that was planned. And it was all planned for a reason. And our kids need to understand all of it.

TWO: KIDS NEED TO KNOW THEIR FAMILY’S VOICE IS BEING HEARD Especially in the unprecedentedly uncertain times of today, our kids need to know that we are not voiceless members of a tyrannical society. Our kids need to know we live in a democratic country where every citizen has a say. Understanding the election process not only teaches how we can each use our voice appropriately and effectively, it can also lead to an understanding of the legislative process of our government. We vote to put the lawmakers into place. Our kids need to know that their families have a voice and that those voices are being heard.

THREE: KIDS WILL VOTE SOMEDAY As adults, we need to recognize that we are raising voters. When I taught a Presidential Election class for our co-op in 2016, we did quick math to figure out in which future election each kid would get to vote. The kids probably felt that four, eight or twelve years away was an eternity, but it really brought home to ME that the responsibility of voting was just around the corner for our kids. I remember my first time voting. I was excited. I was proud. But, I did NOT, in any way, shape or form, understand the severity of that responsibility and all that it entailed. I guess I was more preoccupied with getting the attention of Billy Barry during my US Government class in public school than I was focused on understanding the process by which we elected a president…or even what that truly meant. We are raising voters and it’s never too early to teach them about the election process.

And, believe it or not, Election Day 2020 is just days away!

So, whether you are a classic homeschooler or a pandemically-induced parent facilitator…

whether you have First Graders or Freshman….

whether you watch CNN, Fox or no news….

whether you love or hate Trump doesn’t matter.

Your kids need to understand our country’s election process.

If you’re needing a fun and easy way to teach your kids about our country’s election process, you might want to check out this fun and highly informative Presidential Election Fact Pack.

It’s a very simple, yet thorough way to teach about the Electoral College and the entire process by which we elect our president. I have used it with ages ranging from 6 to 14 with great success and loads of fun!

And, if you are looking for a fun and totally FREE way to track the results on Election Night, check out this Presidential Election Tracker Pack!

The Value of Celebrating Your State’s Birthday

January 12, 2020 by Katherine Wolfe 38 Comments

{This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our Disclosure Policy for details.}

I’m a California girl who was born and raised in the same house all through my childhood and then attended college just a few hours up the coast from my hometown. But after marrying my husband, we moved to Missouri where we lived for three years, followed by three years in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. In 2010, we moved to Kansas and we’re still here in the year 2020! While it’s very different than my coastal home state, it offers its own unique beauty and interesting characteristics.

Shortly after moving here, we started homeschooling our only son and I quickly connected with a co-op. Since we knew very few people in town, the co-op was a Godsend to us in a variety of ways, not the least of which was showing me that I was sorely lacking in Kansas history. Apparently, it’s typical for Kansas kids to celebrate Kansas Day every year. “What is Kansas Day,” you might be wondering? I wondered the same thing until my new co-op crew filled me in. It’s the day set aside to celebrate Kansas’ statehood. Kansas became the 34th state on January 29, 1861, therefore, every year on January 29th, kids all across the Sunflower State celebrate its “birthday.”

Kansas Day celebrations take place in classrooms and homeschools alike with sunflowery crafts, yummy treats and loads of lessons on the state mammal, bird, reptile, motto and more. And this happens every year for Kansas kids; it’s not just a Fourth Grade standard like it is in California. It’s something they look forward to annually. Our local libraries offer special programs, bakeries make themed cakes and teachers shift their lessons for the day to include all things bison, sunflower and tiger salamander.

If you’re wondering, like I did at first, WHY so much effort goes into Kansas Day, let me give you the two-cent opinion of a Californian transplanted to Kansas after short stints in Missouri and Michigan.

It teaches STATE HISTORY to our kids.

It imparts a STATE IDENTITY in our kids.

It instills STATE PRIDE in our kids.

And, it’s fun!

Knowing that the American Bison is the Kansas State Mammal or that the Barred Tiger Salamander is the Kansas State Amphibian seems like nothing more than silly trivia at first. But, when the kids learn how each animal was chosen, they learn state history because there are actual legit, logical reasons behind those decisions. When they can begin to recognize that “Sunflower Bank” and “Bison Electric” are not just randomly chosen business names, they’ll begin to identify with their state as a whole. And when they learn what the state motto means, they’ll surely come away with some pride for the state’s founding fathers and their journey to statehood.

As mentioned earlier, I was born and raised in California. From PreK through a Masters Degree, I was educated in the state and I LOVED growing up there. And, yet, I could not tell you when California’s statehood actually took place. If given a few minutes, I could garner an educated guess on the year based on a few history facts that I’d need to pull up from the recesses of my brain, but I could never tell you the month and day. I could tell you the state nickname for sure, probably the state mammal and possibly the flower. But if you were to ask me about the state bird, state amphibian or state motto, all I could provide would be purely wild guesses.

{For my UNGoogled guesses on California Facts, go to the very end.}

I’ll admit that when I was first introduced to the concept of Kansas Day, I was a bit skeptical. I assumed it was a fluff holiday and an excuse to take the day off from regular schooling. But, as our KS years have rolled on and our KS Day celebrations have ramped up, I now see the value in celebrating your state’s birthday.

It teaches STATE HISTORY to our kids.

It imparts a STATE IDENTITY in our kids.

It instills STATE PRIDE in our kids.

And, as a bonus, it is loads of fun!

So, do you know when your state’s birthday is?

Do your kids?

Check the list below and start planning a party!

If you happen to be a current Kansan, like me, check out my Kansas State Fact Pack. It’s chock-full of Kansas State facts and fun activities!

And, for ALL state birthdays, an excellent place to start is with your state’s edition of the Discover America, State by State series. Below is just a small selection, but there is one for every single state {and even DC.}

, , , ,

My UNGoogled guesses on California Facts:

{Year of Statehood: 1851} WRONG! It was actually 1850, so I was close!

{State Nickname: Golden State} CORRECT! Yay me!

{State Mammal: bear} MOSTLY CORRECT. It’s the Grizzly Bear.

{State Flower: poppy} CORRECT! Not sure why I knew that.

{State Bird: golden eagle} Eeks! So WRONG! It’s the California Quail.

{State Amphibian: Sonoran Desert Toad} Totally WRONG! It’s the red-legged frog, but my guess sounded so legit, didn’t it?

{State Motto: Go home! We have no more gold.} Obviously WRONG, but ya gotta admit, it was a funny guess. It’s actually “Eureka!”

That’s a score of only 43%! EEKS! That’s not good! I bet if I had celebrated California’s birthday every September 9th, I would’ve done a whole lot better!