"Easy Times" Is Just That (Giveaway)

I’ll state here and now that I have an uneasy relationship with numbers. Math has never come easy to me so it pleases my heart to no end when I hear my children, ages 8 & 5 years, say with enthusiasm, “I love math!”

I wish I’d had “Easy Times: A Beginning Multiplication Tutorial” when I was learning the times tables way back in the day. Professor Stan, the warm, enthusiastic host and creator of “Easy Times” makes the repetition of learning multiplication tables interesting by encouraging the listener to participate. As an educator he knows to allow enough “wait time” (the time between the teacher asking a question and the time it takes a student to provide an answer) between problems to give the student listener time to figure it out and vocalize the answer before providing the answer himself. My son caught on to Professor Stan's format right away without any explanation from me.

The disc is divided into tracks with each track covering a specific set of multiplication facts (i.e., track one explains the concept of multiplication and the 1’s, track 2 covers the 2’s, etc. up to the 12’s). There are also two practice tests included as the last two tracks on the disc.

The goal of “Easy Times” is to provide the student with a tutorial and is not meant to be listened to all the way through in one sitting. Professor Stan makes learning the times tables interesting even though they are presented in a simple, repetitive manner. There are no musical cues or mnemonics, just good old-fashioned, tried-and-true repetition. First, Prof. Stan says the problem (for example, 2x2=4), then asks the listener to repeat it with him, the third time through he will state the problem leaving off the answer for the student to provide (he waits 3-4 seconds then gives the answer).

My 8-year-old, who is in second grade, asked to listen to the CD again and again after listening to the first few tracks covering the 1’s, 2’s, and 3's . Professor Stan suggests that the student listen to a particular track until they have reached proficiency. My son dutifully answered Prof. Stan’s problems. A few days later, after setting aside this CD, my son volunteered, quite out of the blue, the following information, “Mom, three times two is six.”

This CD makes a great introduction to multiplication and would make a nice supplemental to flash cards, especially to those children who are aural learners (those who learn best by listening).

We have a great giveaway, though if you don't want to wait you can order your own copy of “Easy Times” through the publisher, AudioBook Man. Full Mommy readers receive free shipping.

WIN IT: We have THREE copies of "Easy Times" to award to lucky readers of The Full Mommy. To enter, leave a comment by March 20, 2009 with the answer to the question below. The winner will be notified by e-mail. Please read the official rules for entering our giveaways.

ENTRY QUESTION: What was your favorite subject in school?

Missy is a full-time mom and wife and part-time teacher. This is her first post for The Full Mommy and she also writes for her own blog, Misc & Co.