Dec. 17, 2008 - Product Review -- Times Tales -- Trigger Memory Systems
Times Tales Review
First of all, I need to warn you that I am really, really excited about this product! If you have a right-brained learner or a struggling learner, or an older child who hasn't mastered the multiplication tables; you are going to want to order this product. It even works with younger children who aren't struggling... My younger child is five years old, but I have heard of even four year olds learning their multiplication facts before they had any concept of the meaning.
What's Included: The main thrust of the product is a really high quality flip chart; with a set characters designed around the numbers; and then mathematical "nonsense" stories involving the characters. When you first look at it, you wonder how in the world it will ever work! But, the ladies who designed are right when they say "Don't try to figure out how it works." Just do it. It works. Also included is a thorough teacher's guide with complete instructions, flash cards, pretests and tests. All of these are reproducible so that you can use them with multiple children in your family. The cost is only $29.95. I should mention that the new version includes multiplication facts 3x6,3x7,3x8,3x9,4x6,4x7,4x8,4x9,6x6,6x7,6x8,6x9, 7x7,7x8,7x9,8x8,8x9,9x9. The older version I believe is still available with a supplement to add the 3's and 4's. The new program also reverses the process to teach division.
What I like: Well, this works. It only takes about an hour in the first sitting, and a few minutes of review for the first week; and then periodically. The second set of facts is introduced in the second week in the same fashion. Day One: My daughter (age 10) hated Times Tales, thought it was for babies, cried, pouted, and resisted each step of the way! Day Two: My same daughter flew through the flashcards at significantly improved speed without one whining session. When we had gone through the flashcard one time; I said to her "Wow! You are doing these a lot faster today, what made the difference?" Her reply? "I don't know Mom, I just look at the card and the whole picture of the story just pops into my mind and I know the answer -- it's all right there." Day Three: Rapid-fire procession through the flashcards with the story pictures, plus decent speed on the reverse side without the story pictures. (just numbers instead of numbers embedded in pictures...) Continued Progress: Increased speed and transition to no dependence on the story pictures!
This is how Times Tales works! This is right brain learning at its finest!
What I don't like: Once again, I am stymied. I can't figure out anything I don't like about this product. I really think anyone struggling to teach multiplication tables should give this a try.
My Bottom Line: We won't be giving this one away! Great job Trigger Memory!
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