By Megan "25 Dreams" Faux
25 Dreams Publishing Concepts, Inc.
www.multiplicationnation.com
PO Box 83843
Westchester CA 90045
310-266-3484
The concept of multiplication tables set to music has been done many times before--but not quite like this. Multiplication
Nation is a truly unique CD that teaches the multiplication tables through skip-counting songs set to hip-hop, soul, and rhythm and blues music. The music is undeniably catchy. Several of the songs get everyone in the house dancing even though they aren't generally our preferred style of music. Even with the songs I just don't care for, I can't help but smile at the interesting niche this CD fills so well. Young students learning their multiplication tables might not appreciate it quite as much, but older students needing some extra help with their multiplication facts could definitely benefit. Most of the multiplication songs I've heard in the past have been rather childish. Most of the songs on Multiplication
Nation sound like pop songs you would hear on the radio, except they are about math. Also, the multiplication tables are practiced through skip counting, which for many children is much more effective than rote memorization of the facts.
Being able to listen to math facts on CD is a huge help to auditory learners. For the visual learner, Multiplication Nation has 12 bookmark-sized counting strips, one for each fact family. These are brightly colored with an island theme and are of a strong, glossy quality.
Each song contains more lyrics than just the fact families. Some of these are catchy and inspiring. Others might appeal to some, but just weren't my family's cup of tea. For instance, the song about sixes refers to the pressure of being a kid and how it is so hard that you sometimes just want to get far away. Six miles is far away, and so the skip counting begins. That's kind of depressing for a song about math facts, but most of the other lyrics are more relevant.
This didn't turn out to match my style, but I know many families could appreciate this CD, especially older students wanting to hear their multiplication facts (through skip counting) with music that fits their style and taste. To find out if it could be a good fit for you, be sure to listen to free samples of each song on the company's website found at www.multiplicationnation.com
Product review by Jennifer Harrison, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, February 2010
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