momlove7
- Reviewed on Thursday, October 29, 2009
- Grades Used: 5th, 6th-
- Dates used: 2009-
We love TT! In the past we have used Abeka, Rod and Staff and Math U See. I became weary of not finding something that would actually work with all of my children until I discovered TT. I'm with previous posters in that I wished I had found this curriculum earlier. I think the price scared me away but it's well worth it. We don't use the accompanying TT workbooks. We only use the CDs here after receiving some advice for other TT users. The workbooks are a written repeat of the CDs. The only problem is that my children have to work out some problems on paper but they don't mind because you would have to work problems in the workbook anyway. TT appeals to all learners. The speaker has a nice enthusiastic voice and the explanations are very simple. The cartoon visual aids that accompany the problems and provide demonstration are great. My children love it and now ask to complete Math as the first subject of the day. TT has about 120 lessons, give or take, with quizzes after so many lessons. The CD grades all of the lessons and quizzes for you so you have a built-in grade book in the program.
As for placement, I recommend taking the placement tests on the site which is what we did. I think the levels should be referred to as:
TT Math 5- Math 4/5
TT Math 6- Math 5/6
TT Math 7- Math 6/7
..as so on because there is so much review of the previous level in the beginning of these books before they will flow into the next level. If you are coming from advanced maths such as Singapore, Abeka or Saxon or if you have a mathy student, I would suggest going up a year in levels. If your child is not so mathy and more average or below average in math, I would think you could go along with the corresponding grade level. As for supplementing, it never hurts to supplement any math program so go ahead if you like. I haven't found the need to supplement as yet but will certainly do so if I feel a need.
TT has been claimed as a program that is not aligned to some state standards but neither is Math U See, another successful program in its own right. Only a few have mentioned that it seems too easy but math shouldn't be difficult or bring about tears in order to be successful. As the authors have stated, TT is easy but easy doesn't mean incomplete. Easy means easy to understand. Just because TT has a different approach, doesn't mean it's incomplete. TT prepares the perfect foundation for math and teaches concepts so that students actually understand the "why" in math. I would pick that over state standards anytime.
There is a Teaching Textbooks Yahoo Group available for support and if you have more than one student using the same level, TT will gladly email instructions regarding how to set the program up in your computer. The tech support is very friendly and helpful. The same instructions are also in the FILES section of the yahoo group.
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edmondsgang
- Reviewed on Thursday, August 27, 2009
- Grades Used: 4th, 5th, 6th
- Dates used: 2008-2009
I love TT.
I agree with several of the other reviews that TT is not as advanced as other companies out there, but it is great to use as a base and build from it. It makes math enjoyable for my kids, which is half the battle.
My girls are 3rd and 5th grade, but using 4th and 6th TT. I also supplement their math with the appropriate grade level Horizon's math worksheets each day....since Horizon's doesn't have a worksheet for every day, sometimes I copy a worksheet that they may need more practice with (multiplication tables/long division - etc.) and have them do them more than once. I set a timer for 15 minutes and tell the girls that when the timer goes off, they are done with the worksheet. It seems to create a challenge for them, and they like to see how much of the sheet they can get done...hopefully finishing...if they don't finish, I just give it to them again the next day to finish. Sometimes they're are new concepts covered on the worksheets (the gaps that TT seems to becoming famous for) but they are normally easy enough to explain, the gap is filled in, and if they need more practice, I just copy the worksheet.
As far as customer service, I can not say enough. But let me back up...first of all, if you read their website, they actually say under the FAQ's that you are welcome to re-sell the program as many times as you like, and if you need another registration code, just call. They are true to their word!!! So, unlike other CD texts, you can resale without any fear that the buyer won't be able to use it. On top of this, if a CD is lost or damaged, their website says that they will replace it for $15 - not bad. But here's the "going the extra mile" kicker. I borrowed 6th grade from a friend. When trying to load it, the 1st disk wouldn't work...figuring I was going to have to buy the disk (still a deal at $15) I called the co. told them the issue (setup.exe file missing) - even told them I had just borrowed it from a friend. Customer service apologized for my inconvenience and is sending me a new disk FREE of charge!!! Now, how do you beat that???
Using TT makes my kids look forward to math. Yes, there are some gaps, but with my kids excited about math, I'll gladly fill in the gaps. And when I'm through with the program, I'll sell it on ebay and make some of my money back!!! AWESOME!!!
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vamama
- Reviewed on Thursday, August 06, 2009
- Grades Used: 5th
- Dates used: 2008-2009
Wow! What a relief! My son turned 11 in Oct. 2008/5th Grade. This was his 2nd year of homeschooling. 1st year (4th) we used Singapore which I don't dislike, but it sure involved me a lot! I had to check the answers, etc. But with Teaching Textbooks, HE handles it totally. Rarely, he will ask me something - usually because he has misread something. TT gives him independence and keeps me out of it so we aren't locked in a struggle - he doesn't want ME to teach him ANYTHING. If that sounds familiar to you, you will thrive with TTextbooks. He does not use the book at all, just uses scrap paper when needed to do problems. A book would feel too much like school! I would say we basically have been "unschooling" except for math. I can't think of anything that would improve it. We are planning to "skip" a year and move on to 7th grade math. Why? Much of math is repetitive. While my son is not good at memorization like the multiplication tables, he seems great at concepts. So I am thinking he will get bored if we keep plodding. And you can't just skip a year later, like Geometry. So it is now or never I think. He took the placement test Teaching Textbooks gives and it validates this. So we will buy the CDs only for the 7th grade level for a boy who turns 12 in October. Hope this info helps you. Good luck!
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dogmansgirl
- Reviewed on Thursday, July 16, 2009
- Grades Used: 4th-7th
- Dates used: 2006 - 2009
We love Teaching Textbooks. I have 2 children using the 4th grade level, 2 in 6th grade level and 1 in 7th grade level. All of them love this program. It is totally complete, easy to use, keeps track of grades for me, and is fun for the children.
We have used so many other programs in the past and a couple of my children were really struggling in math. All of my children are learning math now and using it in their daily activities.
The Sabouri brothers tell me that Math 3 is coming out in the fall of 2009 and I plan to order it for my younger children who are axiously awaiting their turn to use Teaching Textbooks.
We will use this math program through all of high school math for our home school.
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