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Times Tales: Trigger Memory System, by J. von Eggers , M. J. Flanagan, and D. L. Wood. Times Tales Original retails for $13.95, and Times Tales Deluxe with Division retails for $18.95. Division supplement is available to owners of the the original set. Times Tales is also available for classrooms. Available from http://www.triggermemorysystem.com
Times Tales, is a program designed to help young students learn their multiplication facts. Particularly, it is designed to help in the memorization of multiplication for the numbers 6 through 9. The authors found that kids tend to grasp their multiplication facts for numbers 1 through 5 without too much difficulty, but, for some reason, become bogged down in the process for the numbers greater than 6. The authors have developed a system that successfully overcomes this problem in a simple yet effective method.
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In this method, these faceless numbers of multiplication suddenly take on personalities and become characters that come alive in situations that illustrate the process of multiplication. The authors found that it is much easier to memorize characters involved in stories than the results from the multiplication of numbers. In the first step of the method, the numbers 6 through 9 are assigned names and become specific objects or characters. The student works to become familiar with these four characters that are strongly reminiscent of the numbers that they symbolize. In the next step of the method, a short story or situation is told involving each paired combination of these characters. There are 10 possible situations or stories for the 10 unique multiplication problems for 6 through 9. |
The authors provide step-by-step instructions for the parent or instructor and the student is given a flip chart in wordless cartoon form that illustrates the characters in the various situations. The program also provides flashcards and practice problems and tests that eventually lead the student away from the stories to the actual multiplication problems. The point is that the memorization of multiplication facts becomes easier because it becomes more enjoyable. Division is also included in Times Tales Deluxe.
Recommendation: Times
Tales is a very affordable program and highly effective that overcomes the
hurdles often encountered in teaching multiplication and division to youngsters.
I highly recommend this program, as it was very successful with my kids. One
of our sons has a vision tracking problem, and even though we were not very
consistent with this program, his recall of the math facts learned was excellent.
He enjoyed learning the facts with Times Tales, as opposed to hating
the grunt work of every other program we attempted. The speed with with our
son learned was far superior than experienced with any other math facts program
(and we tried them quite a few, including kinesthetic and audio methods). You
can't go wrong!
Robin Leggewie is co-owner of HomeschoolChristian.com. Robin is teaches math to homeschoolers in the San Bernardino Mountains of California, and helps his wife Mary with their homeschool ISP, Mountains Christian Academy.
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