Posts Tagged ‘applications’

Calling All Parents, Teachers, Librarians and more: Reading Tips Wanted

Posted by ruckusholly on February 27th, 2012

Teacher and Parent TipsCalling all parents, childcare providers, teachers, reading specialists and literacy professionals including librarians!

We at Ruckus Media Group, creator of award-winning interactive storybooks for children, are looking for reading tips to stimulate children’s love of reading, both inside and outside the classroom. Who better to write those tips than you, the expert? We know that you work with children day in and day out to find that “just-right” way for each child to develop a love of reading, whether they are your own children or your students.

Please email your creative reading tip and photograph to TeacherTips@RuckusMediaGroup.com (if you are a specialist) or ParentTips@RuckusMediaGroup.com (if you are a parent). If your tip is chosen, we’ll credit the submission with your name and image, and post a link directly to your site or school. And, you’ll also be eligible to receive a $10 iTunes gift card to select your choice of stories from our library.

Here are the rules, terms and conditions (make sure you read the fine print before entering):

  • You must be at least 18 years old to enter.
  • Photos (high-resolution jpegs at a maximum size of 100 KB) must accompany all submissions, and should include your name, title, school (if applicable), city and state. If you would like us to link to your blog or website, please send us your URL.
  • Reading tip minimum word count: 25 words.
  • Only authors of tips selected by Ruckus Media Group will receive a $10 iTunes card.
  • All submitted reading tips will be reviewed by an education adviser appointed by Ruckus Media Group.
  • If selected, you must fill out a consent form (to be provided by Ruckus Media Group) certifying that you are the individual in the photos, that you are the individual identified by the submitted name and contact information, that all submitted information is true and accurate and that you own the copyright interest in all submitted materials and have the right to consent to Ruckus Media’s Group’s use of such materials.  You also agree to indemnify RMG against any and all liability to third-parties arising from RMG’s use of your submission as described below.
  • You grant Ruckus Media Group permission to use the submitted: tip, photo, name, school name and location information for any and all promotional purposes related to Ruckus Media Group.
  • Ruckus Media Group reserves the right to end this campaign at any time and to refuse acceptance of further submissions without notice.

 

We can’t wait to work together to continue our mission to create experiences through mobile devices that educate children and stimulate literacy.

Start sending your tips (you can send as many as you like) today and let’s motivate the world to read!

CNET Gotham and Cool Mom Tech: A Live Holiday Guide

Posted by ruckusholly on November 14th, 2011

Cool Mom TechLast week we were fortunate to be invited as special guests to a special event in NYC co-hosted by Cool Mom Tech. It was an interactive pop-up called CNET Gotham: A Live Holiday Guide. Held in NYC’s Nolita neighborhood, the five-day pop-up showcased favorite products of the tech media website’s editorial staff. The topic was holiday recommendations for families, with suggestions made by CNET TV Executive Editor Molly Wood and CNET Reviews Editor-in-Chief Lindsey Turrentine, as well as Kristen Chase and Liz Gumbinner of Cool Mom Tech.  You couldn’t ask for a better list of the season’s most trendy and useful gadgets to jump-start any holiday shopping list.

If you’re looking for family-friendly gadgets to get for your loved ones this season, you’ve come to the right place. Here are some of the hot tech recommendations made by these extremely smart women.  The complete list will be published today by Cool Mom Tech, so look out for it.

Best camera (recommended by Cool Mom Tech):  Sony Cybershot

Best camera (recommended by CNET): Canon Rebel T3i

www.apple.com/ipad

Source: www.apple.com

Best tablet: iPad 2

Best iPad & iPhone case: CECCEC

Best nook tablet: Kindle Fire

Best streaming media box: Roku

Best wireless router: Belkin

Best laptop: MacBook Air

Best kid’s iPad: Leap Frog

Best kid’s video game for the iPad: Atari Arcade Duo

Best phone: Droid Razor

Disclosure: We were proud contributors to the new gift bags for the CNET Gotham event.

A MY LITTLE PONY Party

Posted by allyson on November 7th, 2011
photo credit: Tonya Sanders

This past weekend, our friend Tonia Sanders from The Chatty Momma hosted a MY LITTLE PONY app party. She invited fellow bloggers, moms and pony fans of all ages. They played Pin the Rainbow on the Pony, Pass the Pony, and like every great party, there was dancing. And cake.  The bloggers included Monica Sakala from WiredMomma.com, Eva Smith from SocaMom.com, Thien-Kim Lam from ImNotTheNanny.com and Kim Baqqui from ConfessionsofaHomeSchoolingMom.com.

Ruckus happily sponsored the party and we’ve loved the positive feedback we’ve received from everyone’s readers, tweeters and supporters. Everyone at the party received a certificate for more Ruckus apps and each child received a Twilight Sparkle pony gift to take home.

Great photos of the event have been posted to Tonia’s flickr stream.

Check out Tonia’s post today!

Check out  her video below:

Tonia from The Chatty Momma

For more information on how you can host your own App party, contact us today!

Ruckus Joins the Android Revolution with Chuck & Friends

Posted by ruckusholly on November 4th, 2011

chuck & friendsWe are delighted to announce the release of  Chuck and Friends: The Long Haul storybook application for download on Android Market.  As you know, this is the first of our story book apps to be available on the android.  If you or your child are fans of the Hasbro Chuck & Friends line and The HUB TV Network show, you can now enjoy the app on Galaxy and Xoom 2.2 and higher tablet devices.

And we have more great news!  Chuck and Friends: The Long Haul is now available for a limited time at a special introductory price for $1.99 through Android Market and on iTunes for Apple’s iPad, iPhone and iTouch as well as a free lite version.

Chuck and Friends: The Long Haul includes more than 70 screens of story, video and activities designed to keep attention of young children as they are taught basic learning skills such as letter recognition, picture/word association, word recognition and basic problem solving.  The app takes young readers on a ride with their favorite CHUCK THE DUMP TRUCK character and the gang as they learn about honesty, friendship and teamwork.

Get your copy now and let us know how you like it in the comment section below.

 

 

 

Back to School Twitter Party Count-down with Fooz Kids

Posted by ruckusholly on September 1st, 2011

fooz kidsDuring our Twitter party tonight at 9pm EST, we’ll be talking about sending the kids back to school and several of the issues that are on our minds.  One of them for many of us moms and dads is after school activities and our children’s computer use.

One of our sponsors, is particularly interesting and current.  It’s an application you download onto your computer that prevents spyware/adware, external ads, links and scripts. Fooz Kids is contained media – it compiles all your child’s favorite web sites and games in one place.  It’s a safe place where they are not able to surf and be pitched random pieces of advertising.  There are no pop-ups or any random outlets for kids to click on.

If you’re worried about your child’s internet usage, and have to constantly supervise him/her at the computer, this is a good option for you.  You, as a parent, also have a dashboard of their own where they can monitor and edit a child’s choices.

We’re giving away a free year of Fooz Kids tonight.   The subscription has a value of $69.95.    Here’s how to sign up for the party:

 

Thursday, September 1st, 9pm EST /6pm PST / 8pm CT

Ruckus Media Group Twitter Party 

Topic: Back to School

Hashtag: #RuckusBTS

Tweet Grid Link: http://goo.gl/ehqD6

Here is what you have to do be eligible for the prizes:

*You must RSVP

*You must attend the party to receive and accept your prize (s).

*Sign up for our newsletter and “like” our Facebook page.

Disclosure: This prize, and all others, for tonight’s event, are being generously donated and shipped by the company.  Fooz Kids is responsible for payment and shipping of their own prize.

Suggestion: All the prize questions revolve around the app Chuck & Friends: Friends for the Long Haul.  To win the bike, or one of the many other prizes, download it and watch it prior to the party.

Back to School Twitter Party Count-down with Schwinn Bikes

Posted by ruckusholly on August 31st, 2011

During our Twitter party tonight at 9pm EST, we’ll be talking about sending the kids back to school and several of the issues that are on our minds.  One of them for many of us moms and dads is after school.  How will our kids spend their time?  Will they spend it in planned activities or at home?  How can we keep them active and healthy?

From your first ride without training wheels to a summer cruise at the beach with your friends, the thrill of riding a bike never gets old. Even if you haven’t hopped on a bike in a while, it won’t take long for the smiles and laughs to come back.  We encourage you to share your memories with us tomorrow night at our Twitter party.

We’re really excited about our grand prize giveaway.  Schwinn Bikes is offering our final winner either the Schwinn Grit (bike for boys), or Schwinn Petunia (bike for girls).  Both bikes are great ways to introduce your young child to the fun and fitness of bicycle riding.  It comes with a parent push handle that actually steers the bicycle. The handle can be removed when your child is riding alone. It has wide street tires for a comfortable, stable ride. The Schwinn Water Bottle and holder is included.  Each is s valued at $99.99.

 

Schwinn - GritSchwinn Petunia

 

 

Thursday, September 1st, 9pm EST /6pm PST / 8pm CT

Ruckus Media Group Twitter Party 

Topic: Back to School

Hashtag: #RuckusBTS

Tweet Grid Link: http://goo.gl/ehqD6

Here is what you have to do be eligible for the prizes:

*You must RSVP

*You must attend the party to receive and accept your prize (s).

*Sign up for our newsletter and “like” our Facebook page.

Disclosure: This prize, and all others, for tonight’s event, are being generously donated and shipped by the company.  Fooz Kids is responsible for payment and shipping of their own prize.

Suggestion: All the prize questions revolve around the app Chuck & Friends: Friends for the Long Haul.  To win the bike, or one of the many other prizes, download it and watch it prior to the party.

Back to School Twitter Party Count-down with Kleenex Field Trips

Posted by ruckusholly on August 31st, 2011

Kleenex BTS

School may be out for the summer, but many parents already are making plans to make sure their young students have all the essentials for a successful back-to-school season. The Kleenex brand is too. Just in time for the 2011 – 2012 school year, Kleenex brand facial tissues is committing $500,000 to help fund an important component of children’s education: school field trips. 

During our Twitter party on Thursday night at 9pm EST, we’ll be giving away FIVE Kleenex on-the-go packages, including a wallet pack, auto pack and pocket pack (information below).  We’ll be discussing this innovative program in depth, as well, and we’ll talk about field trips, amongst other back to school topics with our other sponsors, Schwinn Bikes, Blue Sky Home Series, Fooz Kids and The Digital Mom Handbook: How to Blog, Vlog, Tweet and Facebook Your Way to a Dream Career at Home.

Field trips offer experiential learning in real-world settings, and they have always been a favorite school activity for kids who like to stay on-the-go. According to the Lemelson-MIT Invention Index, hands-on activities outside the classroom, such as field trips, are one of the most effective ways to engage youth ages 12 through 17. Unfortunately, though, one in four schools in the U.S. is being forced to cut or even eliminate field trips due to budget cuts, according to a 2009 survey conducted by the American Association of School Administrators.

 To help fill the gap, the Kleenex brand is committing half a million dollars to help schools across America keep field trips as a part of the educational curriculum. The brand is inviting parents, teachers and everyone else to try to help their schools win a share of the cash by participating in the online Kleenex brand Back to School Sweepstakes program.

The Kleenex brand Back to School Sweepstakes will award 100 schools a $5,000 award to be used toward field trips during the 2011 – 2012 school year. Starting in July, consumers can enter the sweepstakes with a few simple steps:

  • Visit www.Facebook.com/Kleenex
  • Click on the “Back to School” tab at the top of the page
  • Vote for your favorite participating school -OR-
  • Register the school of your choice by clicking the “Add a School” box and filling out the digital registration form

The top 100 U.S. schools that finish with the most votes on the Kleenex brand Facebook page will receive a $5,000 award from the Kleenex brand. Voting ends on September 14. The winning schools will be notified on or around September 15, and an official list of winners will be posted on the Kleenex brand and Kimberly-Clark Facebook pages between October 14 and October 31. Visit Facebook.com/Kleenex for complete entry requirements and to learn how you and your friends and family can help win field trips for your child’s school.

Also just in time for the back-to-school season, the Kleenex brand is adding a new line of on-the-go packs with Sneeze Shield to make it easy to help keep stuff off kids’ hands in the classroom, on field trips, at home or wherever kids go.

Moms and teachers rely on Kleenex brand as the only facial tissues with Sneeze Shield help to keep stuff off hands so that kids can get on with the fun of being kids. That’s why Kleenex brand is introducing a new line of on-the-go packs to make it easier to Sneeze Shield kids wherever they go.

The on-the-go packages which we are giving out during the Twitter party include:

  • The wallet pack. It is thin and sleek, so you can always keep a tissue on hand. Their trendy design and convenient size make it the perfect accessory for hip tweens and teens.
  • The auto pack. It fits perfectly in the car door or glove compartment – no need to lug around a box of tissue or fumble in a purse for a tissue while driving.
  • The new and improved pocket pack. A long-time favorite has been improved to feature three-ply tissue.

 

Ruckus Media Group Twitter Party 

Thursday, September 1st, 9pm EST /6pm PST / 8pm CT

Topic: Back to School

Hashtag: #RuckusBTS

Tweet Grid Link: http://goo.gl/ehqD6

Here is what you have to do be eligible for the prizes:

*You must RSVP

*You must attend the party to receive and accept your prize (s).

*Sign up for our newsletter and “like” our Facebook page.

Disclosure: Kleenex is responsible for generously donating and shipping the prizes mentioned in this post.

Back to School Twitter Party Count-down with Blue Sky Home Series

Posted by ruckusholly on August 30th, 2011

Are you a busy mom or dad?  Is organization a daily challenge?  Are you looking for a cure to your organization woes?

During our Twitter party on Thursday night at 9pm EST, we’ll be giving away FIVE Blue Sky Home Series packages that include the Checkbook Planner, Multi Task Notebook, Mousepad Planner and Door Notes.

Compact Planner

Compact Planner

[caption id="attachment_651" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Blue Sky Multi Task Notebook"]
Blue Sky Mousepad Planners
Blue Sky Mousepad Planners

 

Blue Sky Multi Task Notebook[/caption]While iPhones and other smart devices are must-haves for many busy women, paper-based calendars, planners and note-taking products remain central to family organization.

That’s why Blue Sky, known for its high-quality dated planners and calendars, created the Blue Sky Home Series, a collection of calendar-based organizational products designed especially for modern households. With a fresh design from Susy Jack Contemporary Paper, The Blue Sky Home Series
combines effective organizing with crisp, modern style. This exclusive collection is available now at Target stores nationwide – just when families are gearing up for back to school.

The collection offers 14 different products, all under $10. Several large monthly dated calendars allow consumers to choose one that works best for them. The collection also offers dated planners and fun, functional organizing extras, including the compact Shopping Planner, playful Door Notes and handy
Note Tote. The Blue Sky Home Series comes in two color palettes, “Warm” and “Cool,” to complement home décor. Prices range from $3.99 to $9.99.

Blue Sky developed the Home Series based on the feedback of real-life moms, who gave a sneak peek into their daily lives and provided insight into the organizational solutions they wanted.

The Blue Sky Home Series is now on sale at a Target store near you and online at www.blueskyimg.com.

 

Here is the information for our Twitter party:

Thursday, September 1st, 9pm EST /6pm PST / 8pm CT

Ruckus Media Group Twitter Party 

Topic: Back to School

Hashtag: #RuckusBTS

Tweet Grid Link: http://goo.gl/ehqD6

 

Here is what you have to do be eligible for the prizes from Blue Sky Home Series, and others:

 

*You must RSVP

*You must attend the party to receive and accept your prize (s).

*Sign up for our newsletter and “like” our Facebook page.

“See” you soon!

 

Disclosure: Blue Sky Home Series is responsible for generously donating and shipping the prizes mentioned in this post.  

 

 

 

Celebrate Back to School at Our Next Twitter Party w/Prizes Galore (including a bike)!

Posted by ruckusholly on August 26th, 2011


Thursday, September 1st, 9pm EST /6pm PST / 8pm CT

Ruckus Media Group Twitter Party 

Topic: Back to School

 

Sponsors:

 

Blue Sky

 

 

 

Fooz Kids

 

Here at Ruckus Media, back to school is quite important to us. You can probably already tell that from our big sale. All our apps are .99 cents until Labor Day! It’s time to stock up on our entire library.

We’re huge supporters of education and literacy.  With each interactive storybook that we create, we feature distinctive interactive elements that allow children of all ages to experience a story through an array of sensory-driven activities. Our hope is that this will encourage literacy skills, hence enhancing all skills needed and used at school.  But also, most of us at Ruckus are moms and dads ourselves, and we’re scrambling to get our own children ready for school.

Our end of summer Twitter party is going to be a party you will not want to miss!  We’ll be back to school focused, and we have five exciting sponsors joining us to discuss topics of importance to all of us: field trips, keeping you and your kids organized during the school year and playtime after school.

You’ll not only find out about Kleenex’s educational initiative, the Field Trip sweepstakes, which is committing $500,000 to help schools across America keep field trips as a part of the educational curriculum, but you’ll find out to stay organized with tips from Blue Sky Home Series, a brand known for its high-quality dated planners and calendars, just when you need it most as you are gearing up for back to school time.  And what do you do when the kids come home from school?  Like all moms, we think about intellectual stimulation, as well as physical activity to keep our kids entertained in the late afternoon hours. We’ll also be offering a  free download and one year All-In-One subscription to Fooz Kids, a PC application for parents that provides a secure online environment for your kids to access the Internet.  Fooz Kids has other features like email accounts for your kids, Fooz Kids places, for kids to set up a virtual room and Fooz Kids University, where kids can test their skills with interactive games and practice questions.  Schwinn Bikes, who have been making bikes for over a century, are also on board to talk about keeping the kids outside and physically active.

In addition,  we’ll also be giving away a copy of The Digital Mom Handbook: How to Blog, Vlog, Tweet and Facebook Your Way to a Dream Career at Home.

This time, to celebrate back to school and our children,we’ll have prizes from each sponsor:

- Kleenex is providing On-The-Go kits (5), ideal for back to school in backpacks,

- Fooz Kids is offering one free download and one year All-In-One subscription to Fooz Kids (value $69.95),

- Packages (5) from Blue Sky Home Series, meant to organize a busy mom’s life, including a Checkbook Planner, Multi Task Notebook, Mousepad Planner and Door Notes (value $10 each).

- As the grand prize, Schwinn is providing a new bike for either a boy or girl (one winner only).  Each bike is pictured below.  One will be given away (value $99.99),

-A copy of The Digital Mom Handbook (value $16.99).

Schwinn

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And as always, we’ll have app giveaways, including our latest and greatest app, Chuck & Friends: Friends for the Long Haul. chuck & friends

 

Hashtag: #RuckusBTS

Tweet Grid Link: http://goo.gl/ehqD6

 

Here is what you have to do be eligible for the prizes:

*You must RSVP

*You must attend the party to receive and accept your prize (s).

*Sign up for our newsletter and “like” our Facebook page.

 

“See” you soon!

 

Disclosure: Each sponsor is responsible for generously donating and shipping the prizes mentioned in this post.  

 

 

 

Announcing a HUGE Back-to-School Promotion

Posted by ruckusholly on August 25th, 2011

back to schoolToday we are happy to announce a back-to-school pricing of $0.99 per app on our entire digital library of 15 apps for iPhone, iPad and iTouch from Friday, August 26 through the Labor Day weekend, ending Tuesday, September 7, 2011. The discounted pricing offers you and your children the opportunity to enjoy our bestselling and award-winning interactive storybooks at savings of more than 50% off the regular price. 

Each Ruckus Media app features distinctive interactive elements that allow children of all ages to experience a story through an array of sensory-driven activities.  They also promote reading readiness and motor and sensory skills and are perfect for daytime, or even bedtime, reading.

The entire Ruckus Media library of 15 interactive storybooks can be found on iTunes for $0.99 from Friday, August 26 (midnight tonight) through Monday at midnight, September 7th, 2011.

 

You can choose from:

CHUCK AND FRIENDS: FRIENDS FOR THE LONG HAUL

A PRESENT FOR MILO

SPOT THE DOT

ANDREW ANSWERS

RAINFOREST SURVIVAL CHALLENGE

and more.

Happy shopping!