Next in the long of math products to review is factsfirst, from the publishers of Saxon Math. Factsfirst is an online math program to help students master addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.

Each child starts by creating a character – similar to creating a Mii, for you Wii owners. Two facts are introduced in each lesson as the student works towards mastering the problems. 5 minutes of arcade time is rewarded after each section is completed.

The Math Fact Matrix makes it very easy to see what your child has been working on, and where they need improvement.

My kids love this program! They actually ask to use it. They are very motivated to do the timed drills in order to play the games, but they enjoy the lessons as much as they do the games. I like that it works for all of our kids. The older ones use it to really nail down their multiplication & division skills. The younger use it to reinforce what they are currently learning.

You can try a demo HERE

The Nitty Gritty:

• $49.99 for a 1-year subscription, which provides access for 4 students

Value: This is a great value for our family.  My 4 students range from 1st grade to 7th, and they have all enjoyed this. $12.50 per student for a year is a deal for a good program that everyone loves.

See what my TOS Crew Mates are saying about factsfirst!

I received a free 90-day membership for the purpose of writing this review. No other compensation was given.

The math programs just keep rolling in! We tried out a 2-week subscription to  MathScore, which can be used as a supplemental or full curriculum. It covers 1st grade through Algebra I.

MathScore is a basic, no-frills site with a very comprehensive list of topics. Each topic has a mini lesson, sample problems, and timed online worksheet drills. One of the best features is that it increases the difficulty of the problems if the student has mastered a concept, and it gives additional help in areas where the student is struggling.

I was very impressed by the content, but my kids were not very eager to use it. They like all the bells & whistles. I think this site is perfect for a child who is distracted or frustrated by busy sites. I would encourage you to take advantage of the free trial to see how it works for your child.

The Nitty Gritty:

• First child: $14.95/month (however, the 1st child is only $9.95 for the first 2 months)
  
• Second child: $5/month
• Each addition: $3.95/month

Value: This is a quality site, worth the money if it works for your child. I really appreciate the big discount for more than one child.

See what my TOS Crew Mates are saying about MathScore!

I received a free 2-week membership for the purpose of writing this review. No other compensation was given.

Keyboarding for the Christian School reminds me of my word processing class in high school. The touch-typing lessons are quick & simple, with lots of drillwork. Lessons are made to be printed out and placed by the computer to learn the necessary skill of transferring information from paper to a computer.

Lessons include:

• typing drills
• timings
• letters
• envelopes
• proofreader’s marks
• creating tables
• APA & MLA reports

You can view sample lessons HERE.

Keyboarding for the Christian School, Elementary Version, offers keyboarding basics for grades K-5. Both versions use Bible verses in the practice exercises.

My kids like the flashiness of the free online typing programs like Dance Mat Typing, but those have only taught them letter placement and speed. Christian Keyboarding offers effective and practical lessons for real life. I think it is important for my kids to learn these skills before heading out into the “real world”.

The Nitty Gritty:

• Keyboarding for the Christian School (grades 6 & up) $15.95
• Keyboarding for the Christian School, Elementary (K-5) $12.95
• Use the code NewYear5 to save $5 off of any purchase of $12.95 or more by Feb. 28, 2010.

Value: This is a very effective program for very little money.

See what my TOS Crew Mates have to say about Christian Keyboarding!

I received these programs free for the purpose of writing this review. No other compensation was given.

Unlike many of my Crew Mates, no one in my family has any guitar experience. We eagerly awaited the arrival of our Jean Welles Worship Guitar Class. Jean has a Master’s in Guitar Performance from USC and I think she is a wonderful teacher!

The only problem we ran into was in the Tuning the Guitar section. She gave very clear instructions on how to tell if a guitar is in tune, but did not demonstrate how to tune it.

You can watch the first lesson HERE. There is also a Worship Guitar for Kids.

The Nitty Gritty:

• DVD and Book  $29.95 each volume
• 4 Pack Offer – $99.80
• 4 Pack Offer + Books for Volumes 1, 2, 3 & 4 – $119.80

Things I Like:

• Things are explained from a beginner level, like what all of the parts of the guitar are called.
• Jean has a pleasant voice, and she speaks clearly and slowly. She is very encouraging.
  
• The lesson speed is very easy to follow.
• The songs are fairly recent.

Value: This is a fantastic value compared to traditional guitar lessons.

See what my TOS Crew Mates have to say about Worship Guitar Class!

I received a free dvd and book for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was given.

We received a copy of The Tortoise and the Hare from Maestro Classics. The story is beautifully narrated and the music is performed by  the London Philharmonic Orchestra. Even the case is very appealing with its bright colors and adorable illustrations. The narrator’s voice really impressed me. So often recorded voices sound dull & flat, but his is pleasant and clear.

We really enjoyed all of the little extras on this CD. In addition to listening to the story & musical score, there is some background information and a fun little sing-along. A 24-page activity book is included to further the learning experience. You can listen to a sample HERE.

I think The Tortoise and the Hare is best for the younger crowd – I would say kindergarten & down. We are interested in hearing The Story of Swan Lake or Peter and the Wolf. There are seven titles in all.

The Nitty Gritty:

• $16.98 for CD & activity book.
• For a limited time you can get 3 CDs for $45 using the code MAESTRO45
  

Value: This is a high-quality product that can be enjoyed by your family for years to come.

See what my TOS Crew Mates have to say about Maestro Classics!

I received a free copy for the purpose of writing this review. No other compensation was given.