Do you remember how you learned your times table? Probably with a lot of straight out rote memorization? Maybe with some black and white, no frills flash cards for some variety? For some kids, that method works really well. I have a daughter who seems to have been born knowing her math facts. If you don't learn best by those methods, memorizing math facts can be an incredibly daunting challenge. I have another daughter who would fall into the latter category. So when I was chosen to review Times Alive! from City Creek Press as part of the TOS Crew, I was giddy with anticipation.
Times Alive is a computer based program that makes learning your multiplication facts fun. Through a mixture of songs, stories and fun cartoon type graphics, kids painlessly learn their tables. Times Alive is available as a download for PC or MAC for $44.95 or on CD-ROM for PC or MAC for $48.95.
To see some samples of what I'm talking about, check out Times Alive's You Tube page!
Our take on the product for our homeschool? While I really wanted this program to work, and it might just need more time for my daughter in particular, it didn't help the child that I used for this review. For her, the program was overly distracting. The things that I liked about it, catchy songs and lively graphics, overloaded her and I could see her eyes glaze over. I know there are others out there with students like my daughter, over stimulation makes them shut down, and are searching for something that will help, which is why I mentioned that for her, this wasn't it.
However, her younger sister, who I did not officially use this program with, loved all that action and I think for her, this would be a really good fit. I think this product has such a great potential for my kids and I will be continuing this program for my 9 year old and have my targeted child keep viewing the videos on her own time frame.
City Creek offers many programs to help make math fun. It's a company that is definitely worth checking out!
To see what others on the Crew thought of Times Alive!, click here.
I received this product free for the purpose of reviewing it. I received no other compensation for this review. The opinions expressed in this review are my personal, honest opinions.
2 comments:
We sort of had the same experience here. The child I was targeting for the review didn't seem to care much for it, but the younger sibling seems captivated with it....
Hi! Both of my kids enjoyed Times Alive! My five year-old didn't quite grasp the concept though. I was thinking of getting, "Addition the Fun Way" for her. Following you now!
Post a Comment