New Review!!! Times Alive Software!

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About the product/service: As part of the TOS Homeschool Crew I received a free download of Times Alive Software from City Creek Press so we could use it in our homeschool and let you know what we think! 

 

This product is a software adaptation (available as a download or on a CD-ROM for both Macs and PC's) of the the Times Alive book I've seen advertised over the years.  The idea behind both the software and the book is to create silly stories out of multiplication problems in order to help your child learn them better.  The book uses cartoons, but the software actually uses "music videos" that take the cartoons and animate them, adding a song to help remember the problem. 

An example of a problem would be a little story about two snowmen, which represent two 8's.  The snowmen/8's are cold and want to warm up by a fire so they need some sticks.  "Sticks are for" the fire.  "Sticks are for" sounds like 64, so now you remember that 8 X 8 = 64.

The software also has pre-tests, worksheets, coloring pages, and more!

This method has been proven to work and kids can help kids retain up to 95% of their multiplication tables!

Check out a sample here. 

Check out kits which are available to learn multiplication here. 

Check out City Creek's products to help learn addition facts here.

What are the pros of this product? It's FUN!!!  And it WORKS!!!  Do I really need to say more?


What's not to like?  There was nothing we didn't like about the program.  However, it would be nice to have a drop down menu when you sign in because say your daughter, Jennifer, signs in as Jennifer the first time, and then forgets and signs in as Jen or Jenny, she will not access her previous work.  Not a big deal really, but I guess I am just used to drop down menus for signing in.


The Crazy Mom take: My kids love this software. I have only assigned it to them as part of their school day a few times, because they often just want to do it on their own. Baber, 7, Bear, 9, and Dode Man, 11, especially love it. It's just silly enough to make learning multiplication facts fun.  I have always used little games and tricks to memorize things, so this just makes total sense to me.  The fact that it's now software makes even more sense.  We really have enjoyed this program!




What's the bottom line? $44.95

I am going to give Times Alive 5 out of 5 smileys!!!

Check it out! http://www.citycreek.com/

See what my fellow TOS Crew members have to say @

http://homeschoolblogger.com/homeschoolcrew/783695/





*The Smiley System:

I can't really recommend this product.

I doubt this product would be helpful to many people.

This is a good product, but isn't right for everyone.

Most homeschool moms will find this useful.

This is great, and I would recommend it to anyone!!!


Disclaimer!!! I reviewed this product because I am a member of The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew. I was given the product by the vendor to use and evaluate in my home so that I might share my insights with others. Other than receiving the product, which I kinda have to to be able to assess the product, I am not compensated for my reviews in any way. I am in no way obligated to give a positive review. I do try to point out negatives when I see them, though I am admittedly a pretty easy going gal! What you read are my honest assessments of the products I receive.

As with all products, you must do the research before buying. Please visit the the other crew members' blogs, the vendor websites, and any other review sites you might find before buying. I can't guarantee that a product will work for you. You must decide what will fit with your teaching style, and your child(ren)'s learning style(s). I do not judge anything other than the educational value of the products I review. I am not qualified to make judgements as to the safely of any product, and I make no guarantee that the products I review are safe for you, your family, or anyone else. I am simply giving my opinion; only you know what is best for you and your family.

Don't use your blow dryer while you sleep or take a bath. Don't read my reviews in the tub either, and please do not read them when you are asleep, though I do not guarantee that you won't fall asleep reading them!

Copyright 2010 Ramblings from the Crazy House 2