McNeill Designs News

Author of World Walkings says, “Good writers engage in word play.” Suggestions include the You’ve been Sentenced! word game!

McNeillDesigns — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 19:28:03 +0000

A lifelong writer and the author of World Walkings, Sarah McElrath is also an avid reader and school librarian (but not the kind who shushes!). Sarah recent reviewed the best word games for kids and came up with a comprehensive list of recommendations including the You’ve been Sentenced! word game. Here’s what Sarah had to say,

“Strange as it may seem, finishing a school year means starting to plan for the next year…

One thing I want to try next year with both my creative writing club and any writing RTI classes I teach is playing games. I was lucky. I grew up in a home with an English teacher mother and a Librarian father. Words were a source of interest, amusement, and pleasure. I strongly believe that along with being a reader, good writers engage in word play. So I got thinking about how I could help develop that sense of play in those who maybe didn’t have a chance to grow this wordplay skill at home.

I did a bit of research to find several games I could use next year:”

You’ve been Sentenced! – Grades 3 & up. This sentence-building game uses unique five-sided cards with multiple conjugations of a base word. With a hand of 10 cards, players try to score the most points per round by constructing the longest, grammatically correct, and sensible sentence. Any player can object to another players sentence, on either grammatical grounds, or the fact that the sentence just doesn’t make sense. The defending player and the objecting player get to argue their points to the rest of the players, who form a jury. Half the fun is trying to defend, explain, and justify a completely ridiculous sentence to the other players. First player to reach 200 points wins.”

Sarah’s other suggestions include Apples to Apples, Word Thief, Quiddler and more. To read this article in its entirety, please visit World Walkings.

While you’re here, don’t forget to enter for a chance to win a copy of the NEW You’ve been Sentenced! country music edition. Giveaway ends 6-7. ENTER HERE

Want to learn more about McNeill Designs for Brighter Minds award-winning games like You’ve been Sentenced! and more? Visit McNeill Designs for game rules, printable score sheets, or even order online!

Need more fun and games? Find You’ve been Sentenced! on TWITTER and Like us on FACEBOOK for special offers, coupons, and insider gaming news!

Parents & Kids Magazine recommends the You’ve been Sentenced! word game

McNeillDesigns — Fri, 31 May 2013 18:47:10 +0000

Parents & Kids Magazine is a resource for busy families, providing real-life solutions, sound advice, creative ideas and practical information to make their lives easier. Its informative articles and features appeal to parents—from conception through the teen years.

One of the highlights of the magazine is the Scott’s Toy Box monthly column which highlights everything from the best Table-Top Games to amazing Halloween Treats.

This month, columnist M. Scott Anderson takes on “summer fun” including the You’ve been Sentenced! word game. Here’s a little of what Scott had to say,

“June is a great time to explore the world around us. Take a walk into those woods behind your house, or travel a bit farther down a neighborhood road you’ve never ventured down. Sit under a tree and observe the patterns of the branches and leaves, or stay inside and play with new toys. Summer is a great time to try new things, especially games and toys! Whether (sneakily) studying grammar in a new word game or exploring a mythical world on your computer, June is sure to be a month of firsts!

You’ve Been Sentenced! is a card game that will have your family creating crazy sentences all day long. The pentagonal cards have five words each, with each word earning a certain number of points. Players start with 10 cards, and begin making sentences using one word from each card. The sentence can use as few as two cards, and as many as ten. All players vote to decide whether or not each sentence makes sense, and then the players receive their points. The first player to reach 200 points wins. You’ve Been Sentenced! costs about $20 on Amazon, and comes in a variety of themes such as sports of sci-fi, to fit your family’s interests.”

To read the article in its entirety, visit Parents & Kids magazine.

While you’re here, don’t forget to enter for a chance to win a copy of the NEW You’ve been Sentenced! country music edition. Giveaway ends 6-7. ENTER HERE

Need more fun and games? Find You’ve been Sentenced! on TWITTER and Like us on FACEBOOK for special offers, coupons, and insider gaming news!

How best to “Play Your Way Through Learning?” Author Jan May suggests the You’ve been Sentenced! word game

McNeillDesigns — Tue, 28 May 2013 14:41:57 +0000

According to homeschooling mom Jan May, “As homeschool parents, we look for creative ways that make learning fun for our children without sacrificing quality education. A child who can participate in all three learning styles: auditory, visual, and kinesthetic, has a distinct advantage. Most educators agree that a higher percentage of learning occurs when there is interaction. A great way to incorporate all three learning styles into your lesson plans is by using puzzles and games. Puzzles and games are not just fun; they are educational too, right? Actually they are. Some day little Noah may use these skills to become a burgeoning astronaut and here’s why: Experts are saying puzzles are powerful.

According to Istar Schwager, Ph.D., an educational psychologist and Consulting Editor of HighlightsParents.com there is strong connection between brain development and the problem-solving skills used to solve puzzles.

Problem solving requires two types of mental skill: analytical and creative. Analytical skills include ordering, comparing, contrasting, evaluating, and selecting.

Creative thinking uses the imagination to step outside of the box of logical answers to find a larger range of solutions. Children need to develop both. Author of Puzzle Based Learning, Professor Zbigniew Michalewicz from the School of Computer Science, University of Adelaide, says, “What is missing from most curricula—from elementary school through college—is the development of problem solving skills.” Taking time for puzzles and games during your school day can build these skills without a lot of effort.”

In the area of Language Arts, May says, “A fun, new, award-winning game is You’ve Been Sentenced! Build zany sentences that are grammatically correct and make sense or you will be “sentenced.’”

May also suggests classic words games Boggle, Scrabble, and Alphabet Bingo. To read more, as well as suggestions for math skills, preschoolers, critical thinking, problem solving and more visit Play Your Way Through Learning.

While you’re here, don’t forget to enter for a chance to win a copy of the NEW You’ve been Sentenced! country music edition. Giveaway ends 6-7. ENTER HERE

Need more fun and games? Find You’ve been Sentenced! on TWITTER and Like us on FACEBOOK for special offers, coupons, and insider gaming news!

Top 10 Language-Based Board Games for Elementary Kids by “The Unlikely Homeschool”

McNeillDesigns — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:17:43 +0000

Jamie of “The Unlikely Homeschool” is formerly an elementary school teacher, as well as an employee of one of the nation’s leading homeschooling curriculum, ABeka Book. Now a dedicated homeschooling mom, Jamie offers suggestions, tips, and an insiders view to the world of homeschooling.

Recently, Jamie offered her Top 10 Language-Based Board Games for Elementary Kids list including the You’ve been Sentenced! word game. Here’s brief excerpt:

“If given the choice between learning vocabulary words via a worksheet or learning those same words and countless others while playing a board game, my kids…and I’d venture to say almost ALL kids…would choose option B.

For this reason, I’ve tried to stock our game closet full of family-friendly, brain-building games that can serve as the much-needed “jazz hands” to an otherwise run-of-the-mill homeschool lesson.”

In addition to the You’ve been Sentenced! word game, here are the rest of Jamie’s top picks:

Blurt - Educational Insights
Buzzword Junior - Patchwork Products
Scattergories Junior - Milton Bradley
In A Pickle - Gamewright
Boggle or Boggle Junior – Parker Brothers
Bananagrams - Bananagrams
Apples to Apples Junior - Mattel
Balderdash Junior - Western Publishing
Outburst Junior - Mattel

To read this post in its entirety, visit The Unlikely Homeschool.

While you’re here, don’t forget to enter for a chance to win a copy of the NEW You’ve been Sentenced! country music edition. Giveaway ends 6-7. ENTER HERE

Need more fun and games? Find You’ve been Sentenced! on TWITTER and Like us on FACEBOOK for special offers, coupons, and insider gaming news!

Father’s Day GIVEAWAY! Win the You’ve been Sentenced! Country Music Edition for the dad in your life!

McNeillDesigns — Wed, 15 May 2013 15:06:42 +0000

What do you get when you take the multi-award winning You’ve been Sentenced! word game and add words like tractor, cowboy hat and achy-break-y heart? The You’ve been Sentenced! Country Music Edition, of course!

Game play for the You’ve been Sentenced! Country Music Edition mirrors the perennially popular original game, but now you can add all-new fun (and funny!) words like calf-roping, deep-fried Oreos, and Dairy Princess to your wacky sentences.

Remember, you don’t need to come from Nashville to love this game – the You’ve been Sentenced! Country Music is for country music enthusiasts everywhere.

Now, WIN a copy for your dad (or keep it for yourself) using the RAFFLECOPTER form below. Giveaway ends June 7, so enter today!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Need more fun and games? Find You’ve been Sentenced! on TWITTER and Like us on FACEBOOK for special offers, coupons, and insider gaming news!

Valley Bookseller in Stillwater, Minnesota is THE gathering place for all things word-related!

McNeillDesigns — Tue, 07 May 2013 19:14:47 +0000

Storytime at Valley Bookseller in Stillwater, Minnesota.

Valley Bookseller sells books – naturally — but, alongside an expansive selection of adult fiction, non-fiction and children’s books, you’ll also find magazines and newspapers, CDs by local musicians, greeting cards, posters, and even word game favorites like You’ve been Sentenced!

More than simply a place to pick up the latest bestseller, this store features a lounge with free Wi-Fi –encouraging customers to linger with their books over coffee. Plus, local authors frequently visit for book discussions and book signings.

Customers can even join the shop’s book club, where local readers meet for cocktail hour and literary conversation!

Will Alexander reading from “Goblin Secrets” at Valley Bookseller in Stillwater, Minnesota.

Best of all, Valley Bookseller is now participating in Twin Cities Literary Punch Card, a rewards program for attending author events! CLICK HERE to learn more about earning rewards for attending events like these:

David MacArthur, author of “The Day the Watertower Froze”
Mulberry Street Poets
Thurs Evening Book Club, “The Imperfectionists,” by Tom Rachman
Writers On Writing with Jim Link
Rachael Hanel, author of “We’ll Be The Last Ones To Let You Down: Memoir of a Gravedigger’s Daughter”
VBS Classics Book Club, “Age of Innocence,” by Edith Wharton
TCCH with Michael Stanley

And, if a particular hard-to-find book beckons, but doesn’t appear in-stock at the store, Valley Bookseller will even order it at no additional cost, with the order usually arriving within a week. Now that’s my kind of bookstore!

Visit Valley Bookseller at:

217 North Main St.

Stillwater, MN 55082

Phone 651.430.3385

Hours:

9-8 Monday thru Saturday

9-5 on Sunday

Need more fun and games? Find You’ve been Sentenced! on TWITTER and Like us on FACEBOOK for special offers, coupons, and insider gaming news!

McNeill Designs is proud to sponsor the 2013 Winterthur Point-to-Point Stick Horse Races!

McNeillDesigns — Wed, 01 May 2013 14:58:49 +0000

For over 30 years the running of the Winterthur Point-to-Point Steeplchase has been a must-attend social event in Greenville, Delaware.

The races are held annually on the spectacular grounds of Winterthur Museum and Gardens and the event helps raise money for the museum, which houses the largest collection of American furnishings in the country!

For the second year, McNeill Designs will sponsor one of the day’s most anticipated races – the Stick Horse Races! Part of Winterthur’s ongoing commitment to keeping the event family-friendly, the Stick Horse Races are an exciting opportunity for kids of all ages to run the course… with a valiant steed!

Children can bring their own Stick Horse or purchase a plush, whinnying stick horse for $25 on-site and enter the races. Winners in each category receive medals and all entrants will receive a You’ve been Sentenced! game, country music edition, (retail $29.99), courtesy of McNeill Designs.

Kids’ can also participate in the Winterthur Hunt — kids visit various stations all over the museum grounds to enjoy fun activities like pony grooming, leading a pony through an obstacle course, and navigating a hay maze. Plus, all kids receive great prizes!

Meet us there! General admissions information and wristbands

General admission wristbands include access to all of the race day activities, free remote parking on Winterthur grounds, and the option to picnic on the Infield hill overlooking the race track and finish line. Please note that general admission wristband holders do not have access to the tailgating areas.

Available online
By phone at 800.448.3883 or 302.888.4994

Need more fun and games? Find You’ve been Sentenced! on TWITTER and Like us on FACEBOOK for special offers, coupons, and insider gaming news!

This summer, Sister Wolf Books in Dorset, Minnesota carries your favorite books… and a whole lot more!

McNeillDesigns — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 20:36:42 +0000

May 2 is just around the corner. And, if you’re in northern Minnesota, you know that means that popular, independent bookstore Sister Wolf Books is reopening for the season!

Located in Dorset, Minnesota, just six short miles east of Park Rapids, Sister Wolf Books is a must-visit destination in this unique community.

The store was originally founded in 1994 by Mary Kay Watson. Her goal was to create a community center for book lovers and Sister Wolf quickly became known for its excellent selection of books, discussion groups, as well as highly anticipated special activities.

In the fall of 2004, Bob Wills and Sally Wizik Wills purchased Sister Wolf Books. Not only have Bob and Sally continued the tradition which Mary Kay began, they’ve also expanded! Sister Wolf Books now offers numerous new lines of books, as well as other exciting products. One example is the award-winning You’ve been Sentenced! game – it’s the game for folks who love words!

One of my favorite features is store’s famed coffee bar — aptly named the Wolf Den. Enjoy brewed coffee and tea, hot and cold espresso drinks, smoothies, chai, Italian and French sodas, and cookies. Yum!

Plus, the Wolf Den provides free Wi-Fi and a complimentary newspaper – believe me, you’ll never want to leave.

To learn more about Sister Wolf Books, get directions, and learn about upcoming special events, visit Sister Wolf Books. Can’t wait that until May 2? Try Sister Wolf Books’ store Beagle Books which is open year-round.

Sister Wolf Books 1-218-732-7565

Beagle Books 218-237-BOOK (2665)

Need more fun and games? Find You’ve been Sentenced! on TWITTER and Like us on FACEBOOK for special offers, coupons, and insider gaming news!

Award-winning educational facility recommends You’ve been Sentenced! word game; WIN your own copy

McNeillDesigns — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 14:18:25 +0000

Since 1985, the award-winning tutors and instructors at Back to Basics Learning Dynamics in Wilmington, Delaware have provided children and adults with exceptional one-on-one tutoring and enrollment in their unique, one-on-one K-12 private school. Back to Basics employs over 90 experienced, professional educators, all of whom hold Bachelor, Master or Doctorate degrees.

Back to Basics recently recommended the You’ve been Sentenced! word game as a way to combat “summer brain drain.” Now they are offering a chance to WIN a copy of the You’ve been Sentenced! word game, plus a copy of the Reader’s Digest Word Power Challenge add-on deck.

To enter, visit Back to Basics Learning Dynamics for an easy-to-use Rafflecopter entry form!

Need more fun and games? Find You’ve been Sentenced! on TWITTER and Like us on FACEBOOK for special offers, coupons, and insider gaming news!

National Teacher Day is May 7! Show your appreciation with an educational game and 2 free gifts!

McNeillDesigns — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 11:43:00 +0000

Great teachers make great schools!

On National Teacher Day, May 7, 2013, thousands of communities take time to honor their local educators and acknowledge the crucial role teachers play in making sure every student receives a quality education.

If you want to show your favorite teachers how special they are, we’re here to help. Today through May 7, order a You’ve been Sentenced! word game and receive the Reader’s Digest Word Power Challenge add-on deck and the NASA Space Terminology add-on deck absolutely free. Smart!

This special offer is available ONLY by calling (toll-free) 866.520.2555.

Need more fun and games? Find You’ve been Sentenced! on TWITTER and Like us on FACEBOOK for special offers, coupons, and insider gaming news!