Tag Archives: teacher resources

Agriculture, Brains, Shakespeare, Wildlife, Pi, Butterflies, Sleep, and St. Patrick

According to Special Days in March, 2018 , the week beginning March 11 is overly full of learning potential! In fact, this week has so many “daily specials” that it’s proving difficult to narrow our learning topics down. Regardless of what direction we go with this week’s learning, I have some terrific resources available.

“Ag Week” begins March 11 with another agriculture learning opportunity, “Ag Day” coming next week on the 20th.

Dozens of Lesson Plans for K-12 Teachers – http://www.agclassroom.org/teacher/index.htm

Kid Zone, Virtual Tours, and Ag Facts for Students – http://www.agclassroom.org/student/index.htm

“Brain Awareness Week” begins March 12th

Learning Resources and Activities – https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2015/03/16/brain-awareness-week-2/

Shakespeare Week also begins March 12th! These resources were originally gathered up for his birthday in April but will work for this week too! https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/04/23/happy-birthday-william-shakespeare/

And, March 12 is the beginning of “National Wildlife Week”

K-12 Resources for “teaching about various aspects of the wilderness around them” – http://sciencenetlinks.com/collections/national-wildlife-week/

March 14 is “Pi Day“

Pi Resources for Activities, Music, and Articles – http://www.teachpi.org/

Printable Pi Lessons and Activities https://www.yummymath.com/2019/get-ready-for-pi-day/?fbclid=IwAR23wjT0m1r936hkHa2-OSmomW-SmbhjYvMUXprWIEwv6kRaTFtqMiRYizA

The 14th is also “Learn About Butterflies Day”. Butterfly research project, activities, ideas, and resources! http://www.franw.com/2014/06/butterflies.html

Friday, March 16 – World Sleep Day

“This sleep education program has been released in conjunction with World Sleep Day and aims to teach students why sleep deserves its place alongside diet and exercise as one of the pillars of good health.” – http://www.sleephealthfoundation.org.au/childrens/world-sleep-day.html

Saint Patrick’s Day is March 17

Learning Resources and Activities – https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/03/15/learning-resources-for-st-patricks-day/

I’d love to hear about how you’re using Special Days this week! Leave a comment and share your plans.

betty jo

January Resources for Teachers

New Year’s Resources

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Though my family is still on winter break from usual homeschooling lessons, I’ve been planning and collecting ideas and links for a New Year’s study to start next week. Below is what I’ve found. I hope you find the resources helpful for your New Years lessons, too!

Looking Back at 2015 and Looking Ahead to 2016 Printable – (This is what my family is using for our yearly traditional time capsule. Each of us will fill one out and place in a bottle to be packed away with our Christmas decorations. We’ll find them next December when we get the decorations back out.) http://www.modernparentsmessykids.com/2014/12/free-family-new-years-resolution-printable.html

Top News Stories of 2015 (parents of younger kids should view privately before sharing with the kids because there’s quite a few bad news stories) http://abcnews.go.com/US/year-review-13-biggest-news-stories-2015/story?id=35852690

Find out the “Most Searched, Most Watched” (again, parents should view first) of 2015 http://www.ourlittleearth.com/2015/12/most-searched-most-watched-this-year/

“New Year” Bible Verses – http://www.openbible.info/topics/new_year

Bible Based New Year’s Crafts and Activities – http://www.christianitycove.com/?s=new+years

New Year’s Interactive Games – http://www.primarygames.com/holidays/new_years/games.htm

New Year’s Games – Fun for families, friends, and co-ops – http://www.howdoesshe.com/15-fun-new-years-eve-activities-for-kids-or-adults/

“Lucky” Foods and Recipes for New Year’s – http://www.rd.com/food/fun/7-lucky-new-years-foods/

New Year’s Activities and Printables (lots of printables!) – http://activityvillage.co.uk/new-year

How to say “Happy New Year” in other languages – http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0923039.html

New Year Traditions from Around the World – http://www.123newyear.com/newyear-traditions/

New Year’s History Articles and Videos – http://www.history.com/topics/holidays/new-years

Movie Clips and New Year’s Music from the 1940’s, 50’s, and 60’s – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-2k7hKvaW0

Happy New Year Songs Playlist – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIAVVo9m5AI

Times Square Ball History – http://www.timessquarenyc.org/events/new-years-eve/about-the-new-years-eve-ball/history-of-the-new-years-eve-ball/index.aspx#.VobXKFJecx0

Times Square STEM Activity – http://jdaniel4smom.com/2015/12/new-years-ball-drop-stem-challenge.html

Times Square Math Challenge – http://www.yummymath.com/2015/the-times-square-ball/

Be on the lookout for more January resources and lesson ideas coming soon!

betty jo

August Resources

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August’s calendar has wonderful learning opportunities! Here’s a resource list to help teach and learn throughout the month.

BIG List of Special Days in August

Specific August Themed Resources –

Artist Appreciation – Artist Biographies, Galleries, and Printables – http://gardenofpraise.com/art.htm
Aviation https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/08/17/aviation-week-learning-resources/
Immunization Awareness – Pros and Cons of Childhood Vaccines – http://vaccines.procon.org/
Inventors – Biographies, Photos, Quotes, and more – http://www.ideafinder.com/history/of_inventors.htm
National Parks – History, photos, maps and more – http://www.nps.gov/index.htm
Oranges – Nutritional and Activity Resources – http://www.franw.com/2015/01/orange-resources.html

Presidents with August Birthdays

Barack Obama – Aug. 4, 1961
Herbert Hoover – Aug. 10, 1874
William Clinton – Aug. 19, 1946
Benjamin Harrison – Aug. 20, 1833
Lyndon B. Johnson – Aug. 27, 1908

Awesome learning resources for the presidents – https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/02/14/resources-for-presidents-day/

August Statehood Anniversaries

Colorado – Aug. 1, 1876
Missouri – Aug. 10, 1821
Hawaii – Aug. 21, 1959

Special Days and Geography – States and Countries Geography Resources – https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2017/07/29/special-days-and-geography/

Special Days and the Evolution of Morning Calendar Time – Blog post explaining the how’s and why’s of using the Special Days lists for homeschooling or classroom activities

https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2017/07/14/special-days-and-the-evolution-of-morning-calendar-time/

Special Days and Biographies – How to and resources https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2017/07/21/special-days-and-biographies/

Special Days and Science – How to and resources https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2017/08/05/special-days-and-science/

More Special Days Learning Resources (for any month) https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2016/07/31/learning-resources-for-special-days/

Daily Specials for August (I’ll be updating the daily specials with more resources as we goalong through the month, so check back often for more! And, if you have any special day resource favorites, be sure to let me know and I’ll edit them into the list. I appreciate all the help I can get!)

Aug. 1 – Francis Scott Key born 1779 – Biography and “Star Spangled Banner” resources – http://www.franw.com/2013/07/the-star-spangled-banner.html
Aug. 1 – Spiderman Day – Resources and Activities http://www.franw.com/2017/05/spiderman.html
Aug. 3 (US), Aug. 4 (UK) – Watermelon Day – Facts, Resources, Recipes, and Activities – http://www.franw.com/2011/08/watermelon-day.html
Aug. 4 – Musician Louis Armstrong born 1901 – Cool Resource List –https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2017/08/03/louie-armstrong/
Aug. 5 – Exercise With Your Child Week begins * – Homeschool Mom Approved Youtube Exercise Videos https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/01/10/get-up-and-move-a-break-time-playlist
Aug. 7 – Lighthouse Day – Resource List http://www.franw.com/2017/06/lighthouses.html
Aug. 7 – Sea Serpent Day – Resource List http://www.atozkidsstuff.com/seaserpent.html
Aug. 8 – Odie Day – Garfield Resources https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/06/19/garfield-the-cat-not-the-president/
Aug. 8 – Ornithologist Florence Merriam Bailey born 1863 – Biography and Exhibit http://earlywomeninscience.biodiversityexhibition.com/en/card/florence-a-merriam-bailey

Aug. 8 – Smokey the Bear Advertising Campaign begins 1944 – History, games, wildfire facts and more – http://smokeybear.com/

August 10 – S’mores Day – Cross Curriculum Resources and Recipes – http://www.franw.com/2012/07/marshmallows.html
Aug. 10 – Snoopy’s Birthday – Peanuts Resources https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/10/02/peanuts/
Aug 11 – Play in the Sand Day – Learning Resources and Activities http://www.franw.com/2017/06/play-in-sand.html

Aug. 12 – World Elephant Day – Learning Resources and Activities – https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/08/10/elephants/
Aug. 13 – Annie Oakley born 1860 – https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2015/08/13/annie-oakley-2/
Aug. 14 – World Lizard Day – Huge List of Resources and Activities – http://www.franw.com/2014/05/lizard-resource-page.html
Aug. 14 – Wiffle Ball invented 1953 – Game History and Science Resource List https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2018/08/14/wiffle-ball/
Aug. 15 – Relaxation Day – Relaxation VS Stress Lesson Plans, Activities, and Resources https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2017/08/15/relaxation-vs-stress-resource-list/

Aug. 16 – Gold discovered in the Yukon 1896 – California Gold Rush http://www.ducksters.com/history/westward_expansion/california_gold_rush.php
Aug. 16 – Tell a Joke Day – Awesome jokes page for kids http://www.enchantedlearning.com/jokes/
Aug. 16 – Roller Coaster Patented 1898 – STEM Activity https://www.teachengineering.org/activities/view/duk_rollercoaster_music_act

Aug. 17 – Black Cat Appreciation Day – Cats Resource Page – http://www.franw.com/2014/08/domesticated-cats-resource-page.html
Aug. 18 – Bad Poetry Day – Poetry Resources https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2019/08/21/poetry-resources/
Aug. 19 – Orville Wright born – Resource List https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/08/17/aviation-week-learning-resources/

Aug. 21 – Hawaii Statehood 1959 – Resource List http://www.franw.com/search?q=hawaii
Aug. 21 – Poet’s Day – Poetry Resource List https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2019/08/21/poetry-resources/

Aug. 22 – Honey Bee Day – The Honeybee Conservancy Pre-K through 12 Lesson Plan Library http://thehoneybeeconservancy.org/2016/05/15/honeybee-conservancy-lesson-plan-library/
Aug. 23 – Ride the Wind Day – Wind Activities and Resources http://www.franw.com/search?q=wind
Aug. 24 – Mt. Vesuvius Erupted 79AD – Volcano Unit Study and Lapbook Printables http://www.homeschoolshare.com/volcanoes.php And, “Escape from Pompeii” – Adventurers Masters of Time Cartoon Series https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWI22TWLB1Q&list=PLD470AEDC93B07E3D

Aug. 24 – US Capital Building and White House burned 1814 – War of 1812 http://www.ducksters.com/history/us_1800s/war_of_1812.php
Aug. 24 – Pluto Demoted 2006 – NASA Explains “What is Pluto?” https://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/k-4/stories/nasa-knows/what-is-pluto-k4.html

Aug. 25 – Inventor Joshua Lionel Cowen born 1877 – Resource List https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2017/05/24/lionel-trains-special-day-august-25/

Aug. 25 – Ivan the Terrible born 1530 – Short Video Biography https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMqmQ-C5N6Y&list=RDQVkC9HbBppg&index=5
Aug. 26 – Mother Teresa born 1910 – Learning Resources – https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/08/26/mother-teresa/
Aug. 27 – 1st Tarzan story published 1912 – Read a Tarzan Story http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/search/?query=tarzan
Aug. 28 – Dream Day (Martin Luther King Jr. “I Have a Dream” speech 1963) – Learning Resources and Activities – https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/08/28/50-years-ago/
Aug. 30 – Toasted Marshmallow Day – Facts, recipes, and activities – http://www.franw.com/2012/07/marshmallows.html
Aug. 30 – Frankenstein Day (Author Mary Shelly born 1797) – Biography, Activities, and Learning Resources – http://www.franw.com/2011/10/mary-shelleys-frankenstein.html
Aug. 30 – Slinky Day – Science Experiments with Slinkies http://sciencing.com/science-projects-slinkies-8320196.html
Aug. 31 – Kinetoscope patented 1887 – Learning Links – http://www.franw.com/2015/08/kinetoscope.html

Special Days and the Evolution of Morning Calendar Time – Blog post explaining the how’s and why’s of using the Special Days lists for homeschooling or classroom activities

https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2017/07/14/special-days-and-the-evolution-of-morning-calendar-time/

Special Days and Biographies – How to and resources https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2017/07/21/special-days-and-biographies/

Special Days and Science – How to and resources https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2017/08/05/special-days-and-science/

More Special Days Learning Resources (for any month) https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2016/07/31/learning-resources-for-special-days/

Happy August Learning!

betty jo

Aviation Week Learning Resources

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According to Special Days in August , “Aviation” is one of this month’s themes. And, “Aviation Week” is the week with the 19th. The reason behind “Aviation Week” is in celebration of the accomplishments of Orville Wright who was born Aug. 19, 1867.

The following links are to the online resources and activities to learn about the Wright Brothers and aviation.

A biography of the Wright Brothers along with printables – http://gardenofpraise.com/ibdwrigh.htm

Learn about the Wright Brothers. See their house and shop as well as their famous flight in Kitty Hawk, NC. with this old and brief educational movie. http://www.havefunwithhistory.com/movies/wrightBrothers.html

We’ve been watching some of the animated series Adventurers – Masters of Time so we’re excited to see a Wright Brothers episode http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJud1QjUvo8&list=PL608A5B35B7419A93&index=15 If you haven’t seen these before, I recommend you start with the first episode so you’ll understand the theme, then you can skip around to match them with your studies.

Aviation history timeline, projects, and more for kids – http://www.aviation-for-kids.com/

Exhibits from the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum http://airandspace.si.edu/exhibitions/

Airplane parts and functions – http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/k-12/airplane/airplane.html

Victory Through Air Power – by Walt Disney – A History of Flight from the Wright Brothers to WW2 Aerial Defense Campaigns – (produced in the1940s, this contains some war propaganda that may seem wrong by today’s standards, but adds another historic learning element.)

Step-by-step instructions and videos of varying levels of difficulty for folding paper airplanes – http://www.foldnfly.com/#/1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-2

A Bible based lesson which uses paper airplanes as a object lesson http://www.christianitycove.com/youth-bible-study-lessons-object-lessons/854/

Awesome links to aviation themed interactives and games http://www.2learn.ca/kids/listSciG6.aspx?Type=57

Airplane coloring pages and craft projects http://www.artistshelpingchildren.org/artscraftsideaskids/coloringpages/airplanescoloringpages.html

Airplane Party Ideas

So often I feel that our learning plans for a week are left “up in the air” and we just follow where the week takes us….

However, this time “up in the air” is all planned out!

betty jo

Story Telling With Aesop’s Fables

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Today is our first “special day” study of the summer. Aesop! The calendar says June 4 is his birthday, but his history doesn’t have that exact information recorded. Around 620-560 BC was his time. Below are the links that we’re going to follow as we not only learn about Aesop and read his works, but as we practice public speaking and communication through story telling. The project will be to learn an Aesop fable well enough to present it orally. Retelling is an awesome way to check for reading comprehension and concept understanding as well as being a great communication skill.

A brief biography http://www.findingdulcinea.com/features/profiles/a/aesop.html

Aesop quotes that are as relevant today as they were back in his day http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/a/aesop.html

Fables to read with discussion questions and quizzes, activities, and vocabulary glossary http://www.mcwdn.org/fables/fabadult.html

Tips for good story telling

Articles

For an added challenge, I’m going to have the kids retell a lesson they have personally learned by substituting animals as the characters just as Aesop had done. And of course, we’ll add some art to the lesson. Illustrations are a fantastic way to enhance a story. This is my “go to” site for art/drawing instructions when we need a little tutoring, and it seems like they have a good variety of drawing animal instructions if we need it. http://www.dragoart.com/animals-for-kids-c408-1.htm

This is a 24 video collection of animated Aesop fables, because summer studies should always include a movie inside under the air conditioning during the hot afternoon.

For the complete listing of Special Days in June click here Special Days in June, 2018

I plan on participating myself with our Aesop studies. I certainly have a long list of personal lessons learned that could be put into a short story. After all, he did teach that, “Example is the best precept” and “Better wise from the misfortunes of others than by your own”.

betty jo

But, It’s Cold Out There!

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The beautiful days of autumn we spent learning outdoors are only a memory. The warmth and freshness of spring is only something hoped for. Nature study and outdoor play are important aspects of our home educating, however I normally would plan outside learning during the warmer months. Honestly, with the days being so cold, damp, and grey, I prefer to keep our homeschooling indoors. (Unless there’s snow! Snow makes wonderful hands- on studies, but that’s another post for another time! https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/02/07/snow-week/ )

Coats, hats, gloves, double socks… can be a bit of a burden to keep up with and just adds more height to Mt. Laundry. Not to mention the cleanup from wet and dripping boots that make puddles across the hard wood floors. It is difficult to plan anything outdoors in advance this time of year with wet weather, runny noses and coughs, crafting and baking to do, excuse after excuse.

The Surprising Benefits of Outdoor Education has convinced me to get our family outside on every possible occasion regardless of my winter themed excuses to stay in. Spending time outdoors is good for us in any season. It’s good for our bodies. It’s good for our brains. It’s good for our schooling. https://www.learningliftoff.com/the-surprising-benefits-of-outdoor-learning/

Nature crafts and projects are still possible in the winter months. I love this idea for a frozen door hanger made from items collected from a nature walk. https://www.kcedventures.com/blog/winter-craft-creating-nature-art-with-ice

And this suet log (peanut butter can be substituted) will keep the birds hanging around. We put our bird feeders in front of our big window so that our nature observation continues once we’re back inside http://snapguide.com/guides/make-a-suet-log-bird-feeder/

We’ve found lots of fun winter time activity ideas here http://www.naturedetectives.org.uk/winter/

I’m thinking now would be a good time to set up a new weather center. (Our last one washed away during a flash flood) The resources we used last time were great. We will get our homemade weather instrument instructions from here again http://www.weatherwizkids.com/weather-experiments.htm

And something for a little added music while we’re in search of matching gloves and extra socks or for warming up when we come back indoors …

But go out anyway! But if you just can’t, here’s some activity ideas for inside.

A “Homeschool Mom Approved” Youtube Excercise Playlist (for when we can’t get outside) https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/01/10/get-up-and-move-a-break-time-playlist/

25 Fun Activities You Can Do Inside When It’s Cold Outside! https://www.franw.com/2017/12/25-fun-activities-you-can-do-inside.html

betty jo

It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

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Our homeschooling week was spent on more Thanksgiving themed studies. But, on the homeschooling social media groups and the e-mails I’ve received, it is all about Christmas. And with the Christmas teaching season starting in just another week, I’ve started my Christmas study link collection and I’m passing those links on to you today.

50 fun activities and projects for advent http://www.onlypassionatecuriosity.com/holiday-traditions-free-printable-activity-advent-calendar/

Resources and lesson plans for all grades and ages that teach giving and volunteerism, civic engagement, and character through service. This looks just perfect for countering the commercialism and greediness that comes along with the season. http://learningtogive.org/teachers/

5 Days of Christmas Carols study with lyrics, printables, videos, and more http://www.homegrownlearners.com/home/2012/12/20/5-days-of-christmas-carols-day-5-o-come-o-come-emmanuel.html

100’s of free Christmas themed printables for all grade levels and most subjects http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Browse/PreK-12-Subject-Area/ChristmasChanukahKwanzaa/Grade-Level/Homeschooler/Price-Range/Free

Interactive Christmas themed games http://www.akidsheart.com/holidays/christms/chgames.htm

Science, language arts, history, and art resources and lessons plans with Christmas themes https://www.teachervision.com/christmas/celebrations-and-festivals/6604.html

3 levels of Christmas Trivia http://triviapark.com/quizzes/xmasquiz.html

Printable notebooking and journaling pages here http://www.teacherfiles.com/resources_bp_holidays.htm and here http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/christmas-writing-paper

Holiday TV Guide http://m.washfm.com/articles/happy-holidays-444238/holiday-tv-guide-2013-9483051/

Since our history studies are centered around early America this year, we will be learning about the Christmas celebrations of that time. This article explains some of the Christmas traditions of the American colonists. http://foundersacademy.net/2013/colonial-cmas-decor/

This site has an overview of American Christmas history http://www.thehistoryofchristmas.com/ch/in_america.htm

“Bet You Didn’t Know” is a short Christmas history video which includes a bit of American Christmas history http://www.history.com/topics/christmas/videos#bet-you-didnt-know-christmas

Colonial American history, decorations, and recipes http://www.history.org/almanack/life/christmas/

Video, Christmas in 18th Century America http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZ9Iaw0iKLY

Short story, Christmas in 1776, http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/christmas/stories/christmas-in-seventeen-seventy-six.html

Of course Christmas is not the only special day in December. Be on the lookout for my listing of special days in December coming soon!

To find your own study links and tons of “freebies”, consider joining some homeschooling social media groups. I recommend these! https://www.facebook.com/groups/567122276640599/ and https://www.facebook.com/groups/210519735725683/

Happy Holiday Teaching!

betty jo

Salem Witch Trials

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This being Halloween week, we have decided to study the Salem Witch Trials for our American history lessons. Our goals for this study go beyond learning history and adding pages to our notebooks . I hope that when this week is over we will have a better understanding about how dangerous rumors can be, and how easy it is to fall into the trap of contributing to the spread of false accusations.

As with all of our studies, this one started with a library trip. These are the selections we chose for our witch trial studies.

Below are the links to the online resources we are using.

Easy to read 2 page article about the Salem Witch Trials http://www.americaslibrary.gov/jb/colonial/jb_colonial_salem_1.html

Biography of Increase Mather and witch trial word puzzles, printables, worksheets and quiz http://gardenofpraise.com/ibdmath.htm

Witch Hat themed writing paper printables for notebooking and journaling

Video walking tour of Salem http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qau3Xrv7-g

The following links are what my teens are following for further study.

Short article explaining the possible causes of the mass hysteria occurring during the Salem witch trial era http://ancientstandard.com/2011/07/11/salem-witch-trials-mass-hysteria-or-mass-lsd-trip/

From the History Channel http://www.history.com/topics/salem-witch-trials/videos#

Letters, maps, sermons, art, and trial transcripts http://salem.lib.virginia.edu/home.html

PDF of Author Miller’s The Crucible http://asbamericanlit.edublogs.org/files/2011/10/21078735-The-Crucible-Arthur-Miller-2hmdzot.pdf

Salem Witch Trial Interactive Game – “Can You Survive Salem’s Witchcraft Hysteria?” (This is not for younger children, it needs to be played/reviewed by the parent before giving the link to the teens)