These are easy, breezy reviews because these five products offer immediate results with fairly little effort from mom (or dad!).

We began on a late Saturday morning with the Zone Cleaning Clean 'n'Flip chart. Saturday mornings are our home are the messiest because we kind of laze around a bit and take our time with life. I introduced the children to the clean 'n' flip chart and set them loose with the goal of completing the living room zone. WHEW!

They worked together and they worked swiftly. Never once did they need my assistance. In about 15 minutes my living room was ready for even the most discriminating guests!

The Zone Cleaning Clean 'n' Flip chart also includes the kitchen and bathroom zones. It is laminated and is OK for dry-erase markers (for those changing responsibilities).

Since that was such a speedy success, we moved immediately into the Bedroom Cleaning Clean 'n' Flip chart. We put it to the ultimate test - the girls' room. This place is a filth magnet. It can be clean one moment and a disaster site the next. I am not kidding!

Again, I introduced the girls to the Bedroom clean 'n' flip chart first. I provided them with the correct number of baskets and they commenced upon Step 1: Make Messy Pile. What a great way to get started! The girls worked very hard on their messy pile. And they wanted it quite high and indeed they met their goal.

Admittedly, there was less enthusiasm when it came to following through with the remaining steps. They did, however, complete them and with a good attitude. I believe they enjoyed being guided and with very clear instructions on what they were to do.

We have yet to try to the Laundry Clean 'n' Flip chart as this is an area that I have yet to let go. But we'll get there! The set of all three Clean 'n' Flip Charts is very well worth it $29.95. They can also be purchased in sets of two or individually  from Trigger Memory Systems HERE. We used the bedroom chart today, several weeks after introducing it and they're still going strong!

Times Tales, also by Trigger Memory Systems, is a VERY unique and VERY successful way to teach EVERYONE in your family the upper times tables at once.

The Monday following the introduction of the Clean 'n' Flip charts, I introduced Times Tales. We used them each morning in our circle time. This was a very exciting addition to all of the children (ages 2 - 9) because they were new and unique stories about familiar things. I did my best to follow the directions exactly. (We generally follow a Waldorf rhythm style to our days and so I don't necessarily take direction well, but rather prefer to manipulate resources to my own style). The children did not bat an eye when I added the flachcards, which are very whimsical and relate directly to the stories.

Then, when I moved to the more traditional flashcards, also included with Times Tales, the older children still did not bat an eye even though the younger ones did become distracted. By the end of the week, all four older children knew the stories and the three older children knew the upper times tables with near mastery. The 4 year old could recite but still does not yet have a concept of written numbers so he didn't grasp what the older ones did. I no less feel he benefitted from our circle time with Times Tales because when his turn comes to learn, he'll already be familiar.

Times Tales is a KEEPER. I will certainly recommend Trigger Memory products to fellow homeschoolers and conventional schoolers with ease. I hope you enjoy the opportunity to purchase Times Tales HERE. And while you're there, how about checking out the other great offerings from Trigger Memory as well!

(three out of three)

Patty

Posted by billberna

Just stopping by to say Happy New Year! Have a blessed 2009! from Violin Mom in FLA.

http://violinkids.blogspot.com

Posted by khipson

I'll have to think about getting those clean n flip things... sounds cool :)