Review-Math-U-See

Disclosure: I received this complimentary product through the Homeschool Review Crew.

We recently received the Accelerated Individualized Mastery (AIM) for Multiplication with a Bridge to Division kit from Math-U-See.

This kit is designed to teach multiplication concepts to students ages 10 and up. And more specifically, to help those students that either struggle with their multiplication facts, or still rely on less effective methods such as counting on fingers, etc.

The program takes a multi-sensory approach to increase fact fluency, and includes online lessons, integer blocks, posters, flashcards, and a workbook. There is also a quiz at the beginning and end designed to show student progress.

There are ten multiplication lessons, as well as two lessons designed to bridge the gap between multiplication and division. Each lesson takes around 15 minutes to complete.

Math-U-See’s program is very deliberately set-up with several specific steps to be completed as a problem is solved.

Students say the problem, build it with blocks, and solve.

This sounded interesting to me-especially since we have never tried any Math-U-See products. My seven-year old son just finished his grade 3 math, and I felt this program would be a good way to strengthen his multiplication skills before he begins 4th grade math.

Although the kit is designed for students 10 and up, my son is very advanced, and I knew he could handle the activities.

We did finish the entire kit easily, but I would say it didn’t really work for my son.

For us, it was a little more of a circuitous way to solving problems than we needed. There were definitely some valuable tips (like in solving threes and fours) that I will bring up if any of my kids need help in the future. I would say it is just more than what we needed for practice.

Overall, I think the program would benefit those students who are really struggling, or need to discover some new ways to solve multiplication problems.

If you would like to learn more about Math-U-See’s Accelerated Individualized Mastery (AIM) for Multiplication with a Bridge to Division kit, please click here and check it out.

You can also visit the Homeschool Review Crew blog to see more reviews on this product!

Book Review-The Heart Knows the Way Home

The Heart Knows the Way Home is a Christian romance novel written by Christy Distler.

Summary: Janna Carpenter and Luke Martin were the best of friends as children. Until the day Janna’s mom abruptly moved them away.

Now as adults, they have been reunited, but so much has changed. Janna is used to living in the world, and Luke still clings to the Old Order Mennonite ways.

Can they get back to the friendship they once had? Or has too much water passed under the bridge for Janna to truly make her way back to the only loving home she ever knew?

My Thoughts: I liked this book. I don’t typically read books in this genre, but the plot kind of grabbed me, and I was glad I read it.

Both of the main characters have had rough lives, and while the story doesn’t sugar-coat their problems, and they have many clashes with each other, there is also a sweet homecoming storyline too that I really did enjoy.

The book is well-written, has great character development, and has an interesting plot as well.

I wouldn’t re-read this book, but it was definitely good. If you enjoy the Amish/Mennonite genre of books, this would probably be up your alley, and I would recommend it.

I would like to thank BooksGoSocial for providing me with a complimentary digital copy of this book in exchange for my review. Thank you.

Book Review-Danger on the Loch

Danger on the Loch is a modern-day romance/suspense novel written by Paige Edwards. There are two additional books (Catherine’s Intrigue and Deadly by Design) that contain characters mentioned in this story. It is not necessary to have read those books in order to enjoy this one.

Summary: Paisley Clark has never had much family support. Her mother is cold and distant, and refuses to even mention Paige’s absent father.

It’s a good thing the Pressley-Coombes family practically adopted her growing up, and although she knew they would always be there for her (especially her best friend James), it wasn’t the same as having her own loving family.

When a DNA test reveals her true father, Paisley can’t wait to meet him. Will she find the father she has always dreamed of, or will she and James discover a lurking danger that threatens to kill them and the new family she’s just discovered?

My Thoughts: I liked this book. I think you have to ignore a few things that are slightly implausible in the storyline and just take it for what it’s worth, but otherwise, I found it quite enjoyable.

If you are looking for a nice romance with some suspense and a rags-to-riches fairy tale feel, this would be a fun and easy read.

I would like to thank Covenant Communications for providing me with a free digital copy of this book in exchange for my review. Thank you!

Review-Triad Math, Inc.

Disclosure: I received this product free through the Homeschool Review Crew.

We recently received the Mastering the TI-30Xa Scientific Calculator: Augmented Intelligence for all 21st Century Students worktext from Triad Math, Inc.

The workbook contains twenty-five lessons covering the use of the TI-30Xa scientific calculator within Pre-Algebra, Algebra, Trigonometry, and STEM.

Each lesson offers practical step-by-step instructions for using the calculator.

There are also twenty-five online video lessons, exercises and quizzes-even a forum for students to ask questions.

For us, my 8th grade daughter has been finishing up Pre-Algebra, so this was the perfect time for her to use the program to increase her math skills.

She was so interested in figuring out the different buttons and what they do, she literally grabbed the book from my hands, sat right down, and started working on it.

Before long, she was showing us how to multiply and divide fractions on her calculator. Neither my husband nor I even knew you could do that on the calculator!

She actually finished the first 13 lessons in about a week and a half. She got stumped only a few times, and turned to the videos for help. She liked the videos because they were short and really easy to understand.

She also completed most of the two Algebra lessons. There were a few problems she wasn’t quite ready for in those lessons, and she is definitely not ready for Trigonometry, but she can always tackle more of the lessons at a later date.

She says she found the program helpful, and enjoyed learning how to use the buttons. She really liked that she learned how to add, subtract, multiply, and divide fractions along with converting them to decimals, mixed fractions, and proper fractions.

I like that she learned some new math skills-something that will only benefit her ability to do math going forward. The workbook will serve as great reference tool in the future too, which is nice.

The program was easy to use, my daughter learned quite a bit and enjoyed it too-so that is definitely a win in my book!

If you would like to learn more about Triad Math, Inc., please click here and check it out.

You can also visit the Homeschool Review Crew blog to see more reviews on this product!

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