CREW REVIEW- TouchMath

 Look what came to our door a few weeks ago!  What child would not be excited to start a new program, even if it is math, when that kind of big box shows up at their door step?!  It was like Christmas around here!  Yes, TouchMath is here and the fun has begun.  Really!  For my hands-on five year old, this program has been perfect.

TouchMath is intended for ages PreK through 2nd grade, but can also be used for older students struggling with lower level concepts or those with learning disabilities.  Because of the multisensory approach, it is perfect for all learning types, teaching the Common Core State Standards for each grade.  By assigning counting points, or "touch points" to each number, children learn that numbers actually represent a quantity of something.

 

 Let me start at the beginning and tell you what arrived and then what we have been doing.  We were chosen to review the First Grade program which include four units that were sent straight to our email for us to download.  Easy to do, but let me forewarn you, they are BIG files and took a little patience.  The first unit alone, complete with teacher instructions and children's worksheets was over 190 pages!  After reading several pages on the how-to's and why, you are ready to begin the program.

Then the box arrived.  In it- large foam touch point numbers and unit trays to hold the touch points, CD's for added reinforcement for the lesson, number cards and 12 sets of flip cards.  All of these manipulatives are considered "extras" for the program, but I will tell you ahead of time, we loved having them.  If your child is not a hands-on learner, they are probably not as necessary, but for us, they really completed the program.  I have also read several testimonies of parents of special needs children that said the manipulatives made all the difference in the world for their children.

CJ punching out the foam numbers.

Each day, guided by a scripted teacher's page, I would teach or review a concept and then do the associated workbook pages that we had printed off.  Ideas for using the extra manipulatives are not introduced in earlier lessons, but we did make a habit of putting the "touch points" on the foam numbers each day to get us started.


 

 

Once we got to the addition and subtraction parts of the lessons, we used those same foam numbers to work out problems.

 

 

 

 

What we liked about this product:

*The teacher's guide is scripted.  I know this is often not needed for veteran homeschooling parents, but since many of the TouchMath concepts are taught slightly different than the way I was taught, I really found this to be helpful!

*The software was AMAZING!  Really.  I must say that I originally popped this CD in as an "extra".  It however, became our favorite part of the program and CJ's reward for a day well done.  The host- UNO Bear, is a delightful character that reviews concepts you have been teaching while traveling around the USA, state by state.  Not only did CJ like anticipating which state was going to be next, but he learned a little History and Geography along the way.  If I had to choose one "extra" to buy with this curriculum, this would be the one!

*Keep in mind that each of the units are broken down into modules, each focusing on a new skill set.  When ordering curriculum, you can see see where your child is and then order only that unit if you need to.  CJ could have started with the third unit, however, I did enjoy beginning at Unit One because I wanted to make sure he had a strong foundation in how this program taught things.  Some people have a hard time starting in the middle...I am one of those people!  ;)  We just breezed through the beginning until we got to new material.

 

Math can be taught so many ways, and I know that there are many good products out there.  I encourage you to take a look at this program...it makes learning fun AND it may very well be a good fit for your child!

 

Pricing-

TouchMath First Grade Homeschool -All four Units $199.95, or $59.95 per unit
Flip Cards- $19.00 per set
TouchNumerals with Base 10- $99.00
TouchMath Tutor First Grade Software- $99.00
Additional Manipulatives are also available!



  Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this product through the Schoolhouse Review Crew in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations.