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Saturday, March 26, 2011

Time4Learing Review

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The kids and I had the great opportunity to review Time4Learning for 30 days.  I can't believe our time is up, it went by so very fast.  The kids really enjoyed using this program as did I.  One of the best features of this program, in my opinion,  is that it allows the kids to feel a sense of independence during the learning process.

 Time4Learning is a computer generated learning program.  It can be used as a stand alone curriculum or as supplement to your existing curriculum.  I was using it as supplement and think that I will continue to do so.  I reviewed grades 5 and 1.

Tay Grade 5:  Tay really enjoyed this program.  Her favorite lessons were states/capitals, and reading comprehension.  I was really happy to see the progress she made with both lessons.  Tay really does not like most reading comprehension exercises, but she thoroughly enjoyed this part of the lessons with Time4Learning.  The reading comprehension lessons were called think out loud.  A story is read out loud to the child with pictures being shown.  The child is then give some question to think about.  The child has to predict what will happen next in the story based on the information given to them so far.  As they progress through the story, there are questions that need to be answered specifically about the story.  Tay really had fun with these lessons.  She also did the state/capitals review.  This is a great lesson that is interactive and fun.  There are many different activities that can be done in this area.  Not only was Tay asked to match states and capitals,  she was also expected to spell them correctly.  Another favorite of Tay's in this section was the fill in the map lesson.  She did this one over and over, and she has greatly improved her map skills.  After the lessons are completed they are checked off on the homepage so the child and the parent will know what has been done and what still needs to be completed.
A great addition to the lessons is the playground.  The playground is an area that provides the kids with learning games that are separate from the lessons page.  Tay would always find her way to the playground after her lessons were done.  There are many options there.  Tay really liked the games from PBS Kids, especially Arthur.  There is a fifteen minute time period for playground play with a timer displayed for the kids to see.  Tay was very watchful of her timer and ended her playground games when it beeped.  Again, I like that Time4Learning allows the kids to learn responsibility and independence.  This is a great learning tool!

Ash 1st Grade:  Ash had a great time with Time4Learning.  She was able to really expand her phonics/reading, and math skills in a fun and interactive way.  Again, the lessons are presented to the kids on a homepage and they are marked off with stars and arrows as to what is completed and what still needs to be done.  This was a great way for Ash to see where she was at and where she needed to go without me constantly over her shoulder.  We chose to focus mainly on the language arts, as this is an area Ash needs the most work.  She did do some of the math lessons as well and really had fun with them.  She was able to complete her first computer generated quiz with much success.  Ash was very proud, as was I.  We started out with a review of letter sounds in a game called dunk the bug.  This was really cute and Ash did really well.  The sound was given and Ash had to find which bug made that sound, then she was to place the bug in the dunk tank.  This was a big hit.  I knew this would be review for her, so it was a little easy, but it was a great way to get familiar with how the program worked.  This game held her interest for some time.  We then moved on to phonics training.  This is set up like a little boot camp with a Sargent in charge.  This lesson went through short vowel sounds and reading words.  The Sargent would blow his whistle each time Ash made a correct choice.  The lesson focused on blending sounds and moved quickly into reading the words.  Another great lesson Ash enjoyed was the space man.  In this lesson Ash had to aim the space man towards the correct word on the asteroids.  She did great with this and had such a fun time.  All of the lessons were very colorful, clear in the directions, and interactive.

We had such a great time reviewing Time4Learning.  The kids have said how much they have enjoyed this program and want to continue.  I especially like this program for Ash.  She has some learning difficulties and this program was a great tool for her.  The onscreen directions are clear and the activities are colorful, bright, and the themes are great.  Time4Learning was also a great resource for Tay.  She was able to do enjoy lessons that were not her favorites before.  I really like that both girls felt a sense of independence and responsibility for their own work.  Time4Learning also offers a "reward" if you will, through the use of the playground games.  I am defiantly considering continuing on with our membership.  For further information on this program as well as pricing please visit http://www.Time4Learning.com.  I think you will be impressed with what this program has to offer.

Disclosure:  This review is my opinion and my opinion alone.  The content in this review was not written by Time4Leanring.   I was given a month free membership for this review.

Blessings,

7 comments:

  1. I am going to check this out for my little guy. I like the idea of using it to supplement. My son likes to play "games" on the computer, so this might be great!

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  2. Hi Kimberly!
    I have heard of Time 4 Learning and considered doing a review for it! I never got around to it though, but your review inspires me to try it out and review it for myself since your oldest is the same age as my oldest. I still get Time 4 Learning emails all the time. Thanks for sharing your opinion on this program!

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  3. PS: I clicked a vote for you on the Picket Fence :) and will try to remember to do so each time I visit your lovely blog!

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  4. Hi Mary,

    Thanks for commenting. I think you should give it a try. I wish I would have tried it with my little one, but didn't think to do so. I think he would really enjoy it though. Have a great weekend!

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  5. Hi Tracy,

    Tay really liked Time4Learning. Especially, the states and capitals review. Let me know what you think if you give it a try. Thanks for the vote. I have voted for you as well, and have been trying to every time I visit. Have a wonderful weekend! Talk soon.

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  6. Hi Kimberly,
    Thanks for the review of Time 4 learning I keep thinking of giving them a try but my ones are addicted to any and all screen time so I worry about it becoming obsessive for them. I restrict screen time to less than 2 hours a day. Maybe I will do a month review and see how we manage. Something to think about:)

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  7. Thanks for taking the time to post such a thorough review! My kids have been using T4L for several years now, and they love it! I really found your angle on the kids learning to be independent very interesting because I've always looked at T4L as a way for ME to get some freedom! LOL When the kids are working on their lessons, I can get a million things done myself. Thanks for pointing out how much the kids themselves benefit from learning to work on their own - you're so right!

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Thank you all so much for all the wonderful comments. I love to read them and check out what others are doing as well. I am thankful for all of you for reading and letting me know your thoughts.

Kimbelry