Dec. 4, 2008 - Trigger Memory Systems Review
Trigger Memory Systems has created two sets of flip charts that I've been able to review. One is Times Tales and the other is the Clean 'N' Flip Charts. I'll tell you about the Times Tales first.
"Times Tales is a creative, innovative mnemonic-based program that makes it fun and easy to memorize the upper multiplication facts. Times Tales uses cute, simple stories to provide students with a "memory peg", allowing them to quickly recall otherwise abstract facts." It covers times tables: 3x6, 3x7, 3x8, 3x9, 4x6, 4x7, 4x8, 4x9, 6x6, 6x7, 6x8, 6x9, 7x7, 7x8, 7x9, 8x8, 8x9, 9x9.
We were excited to get the new, updated version to review as we had already purchased the older version some time ago. I'm glad they included the upper 3's and 4's in the new version. Some kids have a hard time recalling them and so now they have help! It doesn't take very long at all for the kids to memorize the stories and the characters, which are actually numbers in disguise. For instance, the number 7 is actually "Mrs. Week". Once they remember the stories, they can easily recall the facts. The kids had fun learning their facts with this system and I enjoyed the ease at which it happened. 
We also reviewed Zone Cleaning, Bedroom Cleaning, & Laundry Clean 'N' Flip charts. I love the concept, but my kids just didn't enjoy using them. Maybe they just didn't want to clean. Since that's probably the case, I'll tell you a little about them and also what I DO like.
First off, the Zone Cleaning uses a dry erase marker for check off boxes and to fill in times and extra chores. This is a big plus as kids get the satisfaction of checking off the box when each job is complete. It is a step-by-step system for cleaning the kitchen, bathroom and living room.
The Bedroom Cleaning chart helps the kids to clean their rooms in an organized fashion. The pages do not have the same coating as the Zone Cleaning chart does, so your dry-erase marker should not be used on it. It doesn't have check off boxes either, so you really don't need to mark on it. Just flip from one page to the next to go on to the next chore.
The Laundry chart shows how to gather, wash, dry, fold and put away laundry. We did not use this chart because I have front loading machines and it is for a regular system, plus all of my kids already know how to do all of those things. However, it could be a beneficial item for some families.
I definitely recommed the Times Tales. For those of you who have little ones who need a visual to help them clean, I recommend the Cleaning Flip Charts. For us, maybe it's because there are so many in our family, we won't use the charts. However, I do see it as positive.
Comments
Dec. 10, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Sheri
I felt the same way about the charts-not for us. I liked the Times Tales a lot better. I guess we can't like it all...have a great Christmas season.
Sheri 1 of 100
