Goodies for teachers and all

Just a few items of interest:

1) Math Goodies CD from www.MathGoodies.com has been updated earlier this year; I got to see it, and updated my review of the CD. It's full of good math lessons with interactive exercises, printable worksheets, crossword puzzles and more.

2) I've added a free online equation editor to my site. This would be most useful for teachers or others who write math content and need images for complex symbols and math expressions.

3) Those of us who use math a lot might also enjoy a free calculator/graphing program called SpeQ Mathematics. You can type complex expressions into it, define variables to be used in later calculations, and make plots.

Mnemonic helps for multiplication tables?

...regarding my third grader. We are still slogging through learning the times tables. To liven it up, I decided to order Times Tales (I ordered the deluxe version that includes division as well).

I have read different opinions about using mnemonic devices to learn math facts. Some say that mnemonic devices actually slow the student down, and one even went as far to say it was like counting on fingers. I don't want to use Times Tales if it's going to slow her down, and I do want to make sure she knows her math facts cold.

I, myself, remember I didn't know 8x8=64 in seventh grade, and I just figured it in my head, 8+8=16, 16+16=32, 32+32=64 -- 8x8=64. I did this until I realized how slow I was and decided to commit the facts I didn't know to memory. What do you think about Times Tales and other "helps" for math facts?

Mnemonic helps in themselves are not bad. We use them all the time, in everyday life situations. You have a phone number, you divide it to 2-digit numbers, maybe remember it has successive numbers, or doubles, etc.

I once memorized a certain 4-digit pin number by dividing it to two 2-digit numbers, and remembering that the latter was 9 less than the first... but after a while I remembered it without that.

On Times Tales. It's a fine program in itself. It associates a silly story and picture with each "difficult" upper times tables fact. You've probably seen samples. I don't think it is going to hinder... Basically, if it works for your kid, let's say you will show 8 x 7 to your your kid. He will see 8 x 7 and suddenly also see the silly picture of lady eight and the character 7 driving in a car, in his mind, and remember "It's 56."

It's not too much different from using a rhyme such as "5, 6, 7, 8, fifty-six is seven times 8."

Such a program can be a confidence booster as well.

Now, for some kids it doesn't work because they don't easily remember silly stories, and then it can cause frustration. Or, they're older and don't enjoy the silly stories anymore.

All these "helps" are fine in their place, but you have to be sensitive to your child so that the mnemonic "help" does not end up being an additional burden in itself... such as if the child cannot easily remember the stories or the song or whatever the "help" is.

So it's totally up to you. Try it first with the free sample they offer on their website... and see how your child reacts.

That program is an additional resource of course, and doesn't replace studying multiplication concept itself.

Help for house cleaning with kids

This is a special offer for May only:

Trigger Memory Systems is offering a FREE Bedroom Cleaning For Kids Clean N' Flip (a $7.95 value) if you buy either their Times Tales Deluxe OR Zone Cleaning For Kids Clean N' Flip.

Times Tales Deluxe is a collection of short stories that provides a mnemonic aid to learn the upper multiplication tables. The "Deluxe" means that the book has story/picture pages for corresponding division facts as well.

Zone Cleaning For Kids Clean N' Flip is a fun & unique system designed to help children visually and systematically work through cleaning the three main rooms of a house independently, and with ease.

Bedroom Cleaning For Kids Clean N' Flip is a sturdy, spiral bound, 8.5" X 5.5" flipchart that walks children quickly and easily through the process of cleaning their room. It takes an overwhelming process and breaks it down into simple parts. Complete a step and flip the page.

-> Buy a Times Tales Deluxe OR Zone Cleaning For Kids Clean N' Flip - and receive a free Bedroom Cleaning For Kids Clean N' Flip.

Type code FREEFLIP in comments at checkout. Offer ends May 31.