Multiplication and my daughter are NOT a match made in heaven, by any means. So when I was offered a chance to review Times Tales from The Trigger Memory Co. I was a bit enthusiastic, to say the least. Such a neat idea and it just makes perfect sense!
Times Tales
We were sent the Digital Downloads for this product and here is what was included. A total of 2 MP4s (video files) and 3 PDFs (printables). Each video is about 27-28 minutes in length. But filled with tons of information!
The basis of this program is teaching the upper multiplication tables for 6, 7, 8, and 9. The creators have developed characters to represent the numbers. They are as follows:
- butterfly = 3
- chair = 4
- sixth grade class = 6
- Mrs. Week = 7
- Mrs. Snowman = 8
- treehouse = 9
From this point, each video has very short stories involving each “character” (the numbers). A wonderfully fun and accurate way to teach multiplication. The student learns the “stories” and upon recall they can envision the “story” which in turn allows them to memorize the multiplication fact. (So, so cool!)
The following is a direct breakdown of every thing we got to review:
- The first MP4 that we listened to was PART 1 of the Times Tales set. The video covers the 3 & 4’s in the times tables for 6, 7, 8, and 9.
- section 1- introduces the characters this covers the stories of each number set being taught
- section 2 – reviews the characters that were just introduced
- Section 3 – this covers the stories of each number set being taught
- section 4 – this covers a review of the previous stories
- section 5 – this is flash cards with the characters (numbers)
- section 6 – this is flash cards without the characters (numbers only)
- section 7 – this is division flash cards (who / what is missing)
- The second MP4 that we listened to was PART 2 of the Times Tales set. This video covers the 6, 7, & 8’s of the times tables for 6, 7, 8, and 9.
- section 1 – this covers the stories of each number set being taught
- section 2 – this covers a review of the previous stories
- section 3 – this is flash cards with the characters (numbers)
- section 4 – this is flash cards without the characters (numbers only)
- section 5 – this is division flash cards (who / what is missing)
- There are 2 PDFs, one the covers PART 1 and one that covers PART 2. Each of the PDFs had printables that cover each of the videos. Here is what the PDF s contain:
- PDFs for PART 1 covers the 3 & 4’s in the times tables for 6, 7, 8, and 9.
- flash cards with the character symbols
- flash cards without the character symbol
- division cards with character symbols
- division cards without character symbols
- crossword puzzle (covers details in each story)
- cube game (cutout game for multiplication practice)
- practice test
- test
- PDFs for PART 2 covers the 6, 7, & 8’s of the times tables for 6, 7, 8, and 9.
- flash cards with the character symbols
- flash cards without the character symbols
- division flash cards with the character symbols
- division flash cards without the character symbols
- crossword puzzle (covers details in each story)
- cube game (cutout game for multiplication practice)
- practice test
- test
- PDFs for PART 1 covers the 3 & 4’s in the times tables for 6, 7, 8, and 9.
- Answer Key is the final PDF that this set has. It covers the answers for the Practice Test, Test, and Crossword Puzzle.
How This Worked for Us
At first Ana was apprehensive to start using this program. She absolutely loathes the times tables because she just can’t seem to grasp them as well as say, me. Because I was drilled relentlessly way back when, and I hated it, so I have never pressed hard for memorization from my kids. Tears and times tables is not something I wanted to participate in, so this program is an absolute God send.
As we watched the videos I can see the little lights connecting the dots as Ana watched and listen to the stories. Once I reminded her that each character was respecting a number, it was incredible to see her finally get multiplication. She blazed through the first video and did well on the quizzing portions (the review of the stories). Once we finished the video she spent some time using the flash cards form that video. After a few minutes even, she was able to take the practice test, the test, and complete the crossword puzzle! I was so impressed! She whizzed through the first video and was able to recall every thing that she had just listened too. This program goes right along with her auditory learning style!
She sent the next few days going over the cutout flash cards for PART 1 and I had her re-test to make sure that she was truly “getting it”. She aced it on the first try. I am one happy mama!
The exact same thing happened when she started PART 2 of the program. She blazed through the video, only stumbling a few times on the quizzes. After talking it over and reminding her which “character” was doing what, she was able to retake the quizzes with no incorrect answers. I had her take the practice test and she did well. WooHoo! She spent some extra days going over the flash cards from PART 2 before she took the test but she completed it with no issues.
I have never seen any sort of smiles when I have mentioned that her math lesson for the day contained multiplication. Now, she says the stories to herself as she works her way through her math problems. I think I am in love!
Times Tales absolutely works for Ana, and I am so pleased that she is not stressing anymore over doing her multiplication math work.
See how it worked with my fellow crew members:
Social Corner
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Trigger-Memory-Co-123190537697605/
This was a fun review and I hope you enjoyed reading about this product. Come back soon to see what else the kids and I have to share with you!
In His Grace.
Callie
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