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The story of our precious little girl's 17 months of life with Trisomy 18 (July 4, 2010 - December 15, 2011) and of us, re-learning to live "after Lilly."
"I will praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made ...." Psalm 139:14

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Homeschool tip: Times Tales

If your kids are struggling with learning the multiplication tables, there's a great system out there to help in memorizing them.  Several years ago I bought a spiral bound book called "Times Tales" by Trigger Memory System.  It has a different picture on each page which represents a multiplication fact.  These pictures really stick with you. 

I was reminded of this the other day when Tabby was working through some math problems and in one she needed to know what 4 times 3 was.  She paused a minute and then said, "Oh yeah, 4 buttons and 3 mittens.  That's 12."

I see by the Times Tales website that there is a Times Tales dvd available now too.  If you want to see how everything works - and learn your 9s times table! - watch this YouTube video.  This company also has a number of other really interesting products (see here) including "Learning Games in  a Bag."  (I've always been curious about those but have never tried them.  If you have - I'd love to hear what you thought of them.)

Below are a few random pictures from our recent homeschool days.  I've mentioned that we love studying birds.   A week or so ago, Tabby noticed a female cardinal laying on our tiny deck.  We were afraid one of the dogs might get her.  So Tabby put on gloves, and then went out and picked her up.  She really enjoyed holding the bird, and then put her in the flower garden.  Not too much later, the bird was able to fly off.



Here Hunter is working in his math workbook (he's a "workbook type") and Solomon is busy learning by holding things and chewing on them.


(Hunter likes the Mathematical Reasoning workbooks from the Critical Thinking Company.  He's on book 2.)

Time for piano practice!


After reading some Bible stories which mentioned Jerusalem, Hunter decided he must build the walls of Jerusalem:



Finally, trying to make breakfast lately was getting tricky.  Solomon no longer wants to sit in the Bumbo seat and I just can't hold him while trying to get the food prepared.  If I sit him on the floor, I have to stop too often to put him back in siting position.  So, Hunter now slowly pushes him around the house in the stroller.  As long as he's moving, Solomon is happy!  And Hunter likes pushing strollers anyway because they have ... wheels! 


"You have put gladness in my heart . . . ." - Psalm 4:7a

3 comments:

  1. Love the glimpse into your life!:)

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  2. I get so excited when I get to see your precious children! Tabby holding the bird was beautiful and Hunter pushing Solomon is too cute!:) love H

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  3. Solomon, you have my learning style! Chewing and watching. Good way to learn.

    Hunter, so glad you like workbooks. you did not get that love from your Mah Mah thought...

    Tabitha, love the pictures of you and the bird. We had a red-headed woodpecker on our birdfeeder the other day. and the squirrel is back.....he was AWL all winter but making up for lost time now. no wonder the feeder needs filling every day.

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