4 Fun Ways To Improve Kid's Spelling Skills

Spelling is an important skill for children to learn, but it’s a lot harder than it used to be because we use computers so often. When your children have a spellchecker to correct them, they are less likely to learn the correct spellings for words, so this skill can be lacking. That’s why it’s important that you make an effort to help them improve their spelling. But if you write out a long list of words and get the kids to learn it, they’re going to switch off because it’s boring. If you want them to be engaged, you need to find some fun ways to do it. Here are some great ideas for fun ways to help your child improve their spelling skills. 

Image Source - Pixabay CCO License

Word Jumbles 

Word jumbles are great puzzles that will help your child to improve their spelling skills, but it won’t feel so boring because it’s part of a fun game. When the letters are all jumbled up, it helps them to think more about the sound that each letter makes and the different sounds that can be made when letters are combined. This means that it will improve their overall spelling ability as well as helping them to learn the words in the jumble. If you are writing your own word jumbles, you can use an online jumble solver to make sure that all of the answers are correct. As your child gets older and their spelling skills develop, you can start using anagrams and jumbles with more than one solution to give them more of a challenge. 

Educational Apps 

Kids respond well to fun games and apps, and it’s a great way to help them learn without making it boring. There are some great educational apps out there, like the Leapfrog Academy App, that are filled with some fun games. It’s a much better way to keep your kids engaged and stop them from getting bored when they are learning to spell. 

The Spelling Ball 

The spelling ball is a great educational tool that helps your kids to learn and gets them outside doing something active at the same time. It’s simple, you say a word, and then throw the ball to somebody. Then, they spell the word and if they get it correct, they choose another word and pass the ball on. If they get it wrong, they can throw the ball to somebody else and they can try. Being outside and moving around will help to get their brains working and make spelling more fun at the same time. 

Use Magazine Clippings 

Cutting out magazine clippings is a great way to practice spelling. If you get some old magazines and then get the kids to cut out the letters to spell certain words, it encourages them to consider each letter carefully, and look at how those letters fit together in the words in the magazine as well as the words that they are spelling. 

These are all simple but fun ways to get your kids excited about spelling and help to improve their skills. 

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The Addams Family is Now Available to Own on Digital & Arrives to Blu-ray and DVD on Jan. 21st - Enter to #Win a Blu-ray Copy Now! #Giveaway #MEETTHEADDAMS

Pre-order now Amazon

PACKED WITH FUN AND EXCITING NEVER-BEFORE-SEEN
CONTENT INCLUDING DELETED SCENES,
CHARACTER FEATURETTES, AN INTERACTIVE GAME AND MORE

“BEST ANIMATED MOVIE EVENT OF THE YEAR!”

– MAX EVRY, COMINGSOON.NET

If you are looking for fun movie to share for an upcoming family movie night, I have one to recommend...The Addams Family, which is now available to own on Digital, and will arrive to Blu-ray and DVD from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment on Tuesday, January 21st.  We saw this movie when it was in the theaters, and loved it...and, have been counting the days to own it on Blu-ray.  Soon enough, the wait will be over. :-)  

Here is more about this fun family-friendly movie that truly is a must own for 2020.  And, be sure to read on to the end, as I will be giving away one Blu-ray copy of The Addams Family, to one lucky Inspired by Savannah reader. 

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"Everyone’s favorite creepy and kooky family is back in the “frighteningly funny and fresh” (Rosie Knight, IGN) animated feature film, THE ADDAMS FAMILY, arrived on Digital December 24, 2019 and will be available on Blu-ray^TM, DVD and On Demand January 21, 2020 from Metro Goldwyn Mayer Studios (MGM) and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment.

The very first full-length animated film about the eccentric and unconventional family,
THE ADDAMS FAMILY on Blu-ray^TM, DVD and Digital showcase the wonderfully weird world of the Addams family with a variety of exclusive bonus features not seen in theaters including deleted and extended scenes, an interactive charades game with Thing, behind-the-scenes footage, music lyric videos and more! 

Filled with wildly funny moments and a fresh take on the beloved characters created by Charles Addams, THE ADDAMS FAMILY celebrates the uniqueness of every family and delivers spooky fun all year long.

From directors Conrad Vernon (Shrek 2, Madagascar 3) and Greg Tiernan (Sausage Party, 

“Thomas & Friends”), THE ADDAMS FAMILY boasts a star-studded voice cast including Oscar Isaac (Star Wars: The Last Jedi, X-Men: Apocalypse), Charlize Theron (Long Shot,
Kubo and the Two Strings), Chloë Grace Moretz (Kick Ass, The 5^th Wave), Finn Wolfhard (It,
“Stranger Things”), Nick Kroll (The Secret Life of Pets 2, Sing), music icon Snoop Dogg, Bette Midler (Hocus Pocus, The First Wives Club) and Allison Janney (Minions, I, Tonya). THE ADDAMS FAMILY was recently nominated for two Annie Awards™ including “Best Character Design – Feature” and “Best Production Design – Feature.”

Get ready to snap your fingers! The Addams Family is back in their first animated comedy about the kookiest family on the block. Funny, outlandish, and completely iconic, THE ADDAMS FAMILY redefines what it means to be a good neighbor."

BONUS FEATURES on BLU-RAY^TM, DVD & DIGITAL:

• Deleted and Extended Scenes*
• Welcome to the Family* – In this combined Making of/Character Profiles, we hear from the filmmakers and stars of The Addams Family about how the film came about, the animation process and insight into the characters.  
• Life of a Scene* – From black & white storyboards and layouts to animation and lighting, follow along with filmmakers as they bring to life a scene from the movie.
• Charades with Thing* – There’s nothing quite like a game of Charades with your friends. But what happens when the person giving the clues isn’t exactly a person? What if he’s just… a hand? On talent day, stars of the film are invited to play Charades with Thing. Talent goes head-to-head, competing to see who can guess Thing’s clues. Graphics reveal the answers and keep score for each player.
• Addams Family Throwback
• “Haunted Heart” Lyric Video – performed by Christina Aguilera
• “My Family” Lyric Video – performed by Migos, Karol G, Rock Mafia & Snoop Dogg

* Never-before-seen bonus content

Theatrical Website: https://www.addamsfamily.movie/

UPHE Website: http://uni.pictures/AddamsFamily

UPHE Trailer: http://uni.pictures/AddamsFamilyTrailer

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MeetTheAddams

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MeetTheAddams  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/MeetTheAddams/

Wednesday Addams’ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wednesdayaddams/

#MEETTHEADDAMS

--GIVEAWAY--

Thanks to the kind folks at Universal Pictures Home Entertainment, one lucky Inspired by Savannah reader will have a chance to win a Blu-ray copy of the new The Addams Family movie to share with their family, for a fun family movie night.  To enter, please complete the entries on the Rafflecopter form below.  Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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FILMMAKERS:

Cast: Oscar Isaac, Charlize Theron, Chloë Grace Moretz, Finn Wolfhard, Nick Kroll, Snoop Dogg as “It” with Bette Midler and Allison Janney

Music By: Mychael Danna and Jeff Danna

Music Supervisor: Chris Douridas

“My Family” Performed By: Migos, Karol G, Rock Mafia and Snoop Dogg

Film Editor: David Ian Salter, _ACE

Executive Producers: Kevin Miserocchi, Andrew Mittman, Joe Earley, Aaron L. Gilbert, Jason Cloth

Produced By: Gail Berman, _p.g.a., Conrad Vernon, _p.g.a., Alex Schwartz_{, p.g.a.,} Alison O’ Brien

Based on Characters Created By: Charles Addams

Story By: Matt Lieberman and Erica Rivinoja and Conrad Vernon

Screenplay By: Matt Lieberman

Directed By: Conrad Vernon and Greg Tiernan

TECHNICAL INFORMATION BLU-RAY^™:

Street Date: January 21, 2020

Selection Number: 61207905 (US)/61207910 (CDN)

Layers: BD 50

Aspect Ratio: 16:9; 1.85:1 Widescreen

Rating: PG for macabre and suggestive humor, and some action  

Languages/Subtitles: English SDH, French and Spanish

Sound: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, French and Spanish DTS Digital Surround 5.1

Run Time: 1 hour and 26 minutes

TECHNICAL INFORMATION DVD:

Street Date: January 21, 2020

Selection Number: 61207904 (US)/61207909 (CDN)

Layers: DVD 9

Aspect Ratio: 16:9; 1.85:1 Anamorphic Widescreen

Rating: PG for macabre and suggestive humor, and some action

Languages/Subtitles: English SDH, French and Spanish

Sound: English, French and Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1

Run Time: 1 hour and 26 minutes

About Metro Goldwyn Mayer

Metro Goldwyn Mayer (MGM) is a leading entertainment company focused on the production and global distribution of film and television content across all platforms. The company owns one of the world’s deepest libraries of premium film and television content as well as the premium pay television network EPIX, which is available throughout the U.S. via cable, satellite, telco and digital distributors.  In addition, MGM has investments in numerous other television channels and digital platforms. For more information, visit www.mgm.com.

About Universal Pictures Home Entertainment

Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (UPHE – www.uphe.com) is a unit of Universal Filmed Entertainment Group (UFEG). UFEG produces, acquires, markets and distributes filmed entertainment worldwide in various media formats for theatrical, home entertainment, television and other distribution platforms, as well as consumer products, interactive gaming and live entertainment. The global division includes Universal Pictures, Focus Features, Universal Pictures Home Entertainment, Universal Brand Development, Fandango, DreamWorks Animation Film and Television and Awesomeness.  UFEG is part of NBCUniversal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production and marketing of entertainment, news and information to a global audience.  NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, world-renowned theme parks and a suite of leading Internet-based businesses. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.

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MALEFICENT: MISTRESS OF EVIL HITS SHELVES ON BLU-RAY & 4K TODAY!!! + Make Your Own Maleficent: Mistress of Evil Pie Pops! (Review)

Disclosure: I was sent a screener from the vendor in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.

Buy now from Amazon

Kick off 2020 with a fun family movie night, complete with a tasty pie pop treat inspired by the Disney movie, Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, which is available starting today on 4K and Blu-ray. It released previously to digital back on December 31st.

This is one movie that my girls and I have been eagerly awaiting its arrival to Blu-ray, so that we could pick it up and watch it again, as well as add to our Disney Maleficent collection, which we hope will grow with more releases, like this one.  If you missed this movie when it was in theaters, or are new to the whole Maleficent phenomenon which stars Angelina Jolie as Disney most iconic villain, here is more information about this new release, which also includes brand new bonus features, extended scenes, outtakes, and even an exclusive extra for digital consumers...

More about this movie:

"Ring in the new year with Disney’s most iconic villain: “Maleficent: Mistress of Evil” — which soared to No. 1 worldwide opening weekend and earned an A CinemaScore and a 95% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes — releases on Digital in HD and 4K Ultra HD™ and Movies Anywhere on New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31, and physically on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray™ and DVD on Jan. 14, 2020. The thrilling sequel to 2014’s “Maleficent,” starring Angelina Jolie as Maleficent and Elle Fanning as her goddaughter Aurora, arrives home with brand-new bonus features, extended scenes, outtakes and an exclusive extra for Digital consumers.

Bonus features take viewers behind-the-scenes with the all-star cast to explore the making of “Maleficent: Mistress of Evil.” Extended scenes reveal how Queen Ingrith (Michelle Pfeiffer) manipulates Aurora into questioning Maleficent and accelerating her wedding plans. Featurettes include interviews with Jolie, who discusses Maleficent’s origins and the cast who portray the Fey, and Fanning, who gushes over Aurora’s fairytale wedding. Filmmakers showcase the visual effects behind the film’s stunning landscapes and the seemingly effortless flight of the Fey. Additional extras include “You Can’t Stop The Girl,” a music video performed by Bebe Rexha, and hilarious outtakes, ranging from uncooperative cats to uncontrollable giggles on set.  

Fans who purchase “Maleficent: Mistress of Evil” on Digital will gain access to an exclusive extra in which fantasy-film veteran Warwick Davis divulges the backstory for his character, Lickspittle. Directed by Joachim Rønning, “Maleficent: Mistress of Evil” carries on the story of Disney's most iconic villain. The years have been kind to Maleficent and Aurora. Their relationship, born of heartbreak, revenge and ultimately love, has flourished. Yet hatred between man and the fairies still exists. Aurora's impending marriage to Prince Philip is cause for celebration as the wedding serves to unite the Kingdom of Ulstead and the neighboring Moors. But, when an unexpected encounter introduces a powerful new alliance, Maleficent and Aurora are pulled apart to opposing sides in a Great War, testing their loyalties and causing them to question whether they can truly be a family.

“Maleficent: Mistress of Evil” will be packaged and released in several different formats, ensuring each member of your family can enjoy it on a variety of different devices. Viewers can watch the film in Digital 4K Ultra HD, HD and SD, and bring home a physical copy of the film which will be released as an Ultimate Collector’s Edition (4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and Digital Code), a Multi-Screen Edition (Blu-ray, DVD and Digital Code) and a single DVD. A Digital bundle with both “Maleficent” and “Maleficent: Mistress of Evil” will be available at pre-order."

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My girls and I had a mother/daughter lunch and movie date to see this movie when it was in theaters, and we loved it!  I wasn't a fan of the first Maleficent movie, but I really got hooked on it after seeing this movie, as it did an amazing job at showing the mother/daughter relationship between Aurora and Maleficent.  As with any Disney movie, this movie was filled with many catchy songs throughout, that my girls were singing on the way home from the movies, and had them asking Alexa to play them long after we saw the movie, so that they could dance and sing along to the movie.  In addition to loving the music and wanting to own the CD soundtrack, my girls were also quick to ask me to add this movie to our list of movies to buy when they arrive to Blu-ray and DVD.  My youngest not only wanted to add it to her previous Maleficent release, but really liked this one.  Both girls agreed it was their favorite to date.  They really like Angelina Jolie plays the evil Maleficent.  It was like this role was made for her in mind, and she plays it so well.

Even though we saw this movie in theaters, we couldn't wait to see it again (and again) in the comfort of our home, while enjoying a tasty pie pop treat the girls made earlier in the day, to enjoy with the movie.  Read on to get the recipe for a super easy and oh so delicious pie pop treats. :-)  Usually I wait until Fridays to have Family Movie Night, but when we received the advanced copy of this movie yesterday, I couldn't help but clear our schedule so that we could watch it after dinner.  I knew it would be a great way to end the night, and kick off the week, and boy was it.  Not only was it great to see the movie again, but the bonus content included with the Blu-ray release is amazing, and worth picking up if you are a Disney Maleficent fan, just to watch the extended scenes, outtakes and more.  

Just look at all the great bonus content included with this new release...

Bonus features include*:

DIGITAL EXCLUSIVE:

Lickspittle – Fantasy-film veteran Warwick Davis considers how every aspect of the film's design inspired his tragic character.

BLU-RAY & DIGITAL BONUS:

·                  Extended Scenes

o    The Queen Comforts Aurora - Queen Ingrith takes advantage of Aurora’s fragile state to gain her confidence and accelerate the wedding plans.

o    Philip and Aurora Dance - Aurora struggles to gain Queen Ingrith’s approval when she realizes how she is viewed among aristocracy.

·                  Featurettes

o    Origins of the Fey - Angelina Jolie discusses Maleficent’s lore, her newly discovered origins, and the diversity of the cast who portray the Fey.

o    Aurora’s Wedding - Elle Fanning gushes over Aurora’s fairytale wedding; plus, hear from some special guests as they give their best to the bride and groom.

o    If You Had Wings - Get a glimpse of the elaborate visual effects that allow the Fey to take to the skies.

o    “Maleficent: Mistress of Evil” VFX Reel – Discover how a perfect blend of practical and visual effects were used to create the stunning landscapes in “Maleficent: Mistress of Evil.”

·                  Outtakes - Uncooperative cats, a serious case of the giggles and even the “floss dance” found their way into Ulstead.

·                  “You Can’t Stop The Girl” - Music video performed by Bebe Rexha

We really enjoyed watching the featurettes and have played and sung along to the Bebe Rexha music video a handful of times so far. It is just a great and uplifting song for girls especially, that once you hear it, you can't help want to listen to it again, to sing and dance along to.  When Friday rolls around, I know what movie we will be watching for our weekly family movie night....Maleficent: Mistress of Evil.  We can't get enough of this movie, and can't wait to watch it again.  If you missed it in theaters, then you have to get your hands on a copy of this movie, now available in stores and in digital format, to watch with your family.  Out of the two Maleficent movies, I have to say that this one is my favorite.  I can't wait to see if you feel the same way after watching it, too. :-)

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Disney's Maleficent: Mistress of Evil is now available on Digital, 4K and  Blu-ray tomorrow! Woohoo!!! In celebration of the release, Geeks Who Eat has created a pie pops recipe inspired by the film!



Check out the recipe below and please share with your readers so they can make their own treats to enjoy while watching the film on Blu-ray with your family during an upcoming family movie night!

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PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS:

Product SKUs:                            4K Ultra HD (4K UHD+Blu-ray+Digital Code),

Multi-screen Edition (Blu-ray+DVD+Digital Code),

DVD, Digital 4K UHD, HD, SD and On-Demand

      Feature Run Time:                      Approximately 118 minutes

Rating:                                                     PG in U.S. (bonus material not rated); PG in C.E.; G in C.F.

Aspect Ratio:                                          2.39:1

Audio:                              UHD Blu-ray = English Dolby Atmos; Spanish, German, Italian, Japanese and French 7.1 Dolby Digital Plus; French-Canadian Dolby Digital 5.1; English 2.0 Descriptive Audio

Blu-ray = English 7.1 DTS-HDMA, Spanish and French 5.1 Dolby Digital, English 2.0 Descriptive Audio

DVD = English, Spanish and French 5.1 Dolby Digital; English 2.0 Descriptive Audio

UHD Digital = English Dolby Atmos (some platforms); English, Spanish and French 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Digital; English Descriptive Audio 2.0 Dolby Digital (some platforms)

HD Digital = English, Spanish and French 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Digital; English Descriptive Audio 2.0 Dolby Digital (some platforms)

SD Digital = English, Spanish and French 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Digital; English Descriptive Audio 2.0 Dolby Digital (some platforms)

Languages/Subtitles:     UHD Blu-ray = English SDH, German, Italian, Japanese, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, French and French Canadian.

Blu-ray = English SDH, French and Spanish

DVD = English SDH, French and Spanish

Digital = English SDH, French and Spanish

Closed Captions:                        English (DVD and Digital)

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SOCIAL MEDIA:

Facebook:                                                Facebook.com/DisneyMaleficent

Twitter:                                                     Twitter.com/Maleficent

Instagram:                                               Instagram.com/DisneyMaleficent

Website:                                                   movies.disney.com/maleficent-mistress-of-evil

Disclosure: I was sent a screener from the vendor in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.

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