Has anyone used the Critical Thinking Company's Mathematical Reasoning Series as a complete curriculum? Not as a supplement. Is it sufficient as a complete curriculum?

Does anyone have experience with the Critical Thinking Company's Math Reasoning Workbooks? I am thinking about getting Level D for my oldest ds as a supplement to Singapore Math. Yes, I know it probably isn't necessary but DS hates math and I think it would be nice to have something on hand for a change of pace every now and then. Thoughts? Experience?

One of the criticisms that I frequently see leveled at the CTC is that it is "expensive for what you get." How about a thread where we list alternatives to specific products that are of the same or higher quality, but less expensive? And also list the products that you consider worth the price. I have been enamored of their products but haven't purchased any because I don't want to waste money, so I don't actually have any substance to add, just the query.

My son will be entering 1st grade next year. I would really like for him to be apart of Target (the gifted program) at our local public school. His kindergarten teacher ( at his classical Christian school) said she would suggest that he be part of any advanced programs in 1 st grade. He is smart but I really do not think he would be considered gifted. I am considering getting the Cogat bundle from Critical Thinking Co. to prepare him for the test in September. Here are the contents with space if anyone wants to add less expensive options (prufrock etc): The critical thinking co. = Less expensive alternative -Mind Benders® Book 2.... -Can You Find Me? K-1...... -Building Thinking Skills® Primary".......... -Mathematical Reasoning™ Level B".......... -Math Analogies Beginning.................. -Thinking Skills for Tests Workbook..... -Thinking Skills for Tests Guide............ Any experience with these books? Are they worth the time? Would the Developing the Early Learner books be beneficial? I figure it is worth a try. If he does not get accepted to Target, he will at least get some good practice with critical thinking. I know that moms have strong feeling about prep for tests like this....please don't throw any rocks. :leaving: Any equivalent books that can be recommended with prufrock? Would the Developing the Early Learner books work for any of this?

My son will be entering 1st grade next year. I would really like for him to be apart of Target (the gifted program) at our local public school. His kindergarten teacher ( at his classical Christian school) said she would suggest that he be part of any advanced programs in 1 st grade. He is smart but I really do not think he would be considered gifted. I am considering getting the Cogat bundle from Critical Thinking Co. to prepare him for the test in September. Here are the contents with space if anyone wants to add less expensive options (prufrock etc): The critical thinking co. = Less expensive alternative -Mind Benders® Book 2.... -Can You Find Me? K-1...... -Building Thinking Skills® Primary".......... -Mathematical Reasoning™ Level B".......... -Math Analogies Beginning.................. -Thinking Skills for Tests Workbook..... -Thinking Skills for Tests Guide............ Any experience with these books? Are they worth the time? Would the Developing the Early Learner books be beneficial? I figure it is worth a try. If he does not get accepted to Target, he will at least get some good practice with critical thinking. I know that moms have strong feeling about prep for tests like this....please don't throw any rocks. :leaving: Any equivalent books that can be recommended with prufrock? Would the Developing the Early Learner books work for any of this?

My son will be entering 1st grade next year. I would really like for him to be apart of Target (the gifted program) at our local public school. His kindergarten teacher ( at his classical Christian school) said she would suggest that he be part of any advanced programs in 1 st grade. He is smart but I really do not think he would be considered gifted. I am considering getting the Cogat bundle from Critical Thinking Co. to prepare him for the test in September. Here are the contents with space if anyone wants to add less expensive options (prufrock etc): The critical thinking co. = Less expensive alternative -Mind Benders® Book 2.... -Can You Find Me? K-1...... -Building Thinking Skills® Primary".......... -Mathematical Reasoning™ Level B".......... -Math Analogies Beginning.................. -Thinking Skills for Tests Workbook..... -Thinking Skills for Tests Guide............ Any experience with these books? Are they worth the time? Would the Developing the Early Learner books be beneficial? I figure it is worth a try. If he does not get accepted to Target, he will at least get some good practice with critical thinking. I know that moms have strong feeling about prep for tests like this....please don't throw any rocks. :leaving: Any equivalent books that can be recommended with prufrock? Would the Developing the Early Learner books work for any of this?

Hello Hive, I noticed that the Critical Thinking Company has teacher's guides for Critical Thinking Book 1 and 2. Did you find it useful? Capt Uhura

This year I am looking to beef up the critical thinking skills portion of our curriculum. My two oldest recently had a battery of IQ and standardized testing done. The administrator of the tests then made recommendations for curriculum based on their levels/learning styles. A HUGE portion of the recommendations are items from the Critical Thinking Company. (I know. This list is insane. That is why I need to pare it down!) Here is what is recommended: Upcoming 6th grader Reading Detective A-1 book Reading Detective 1-1 cd Punctuation Puzzler Run Ons A-1 Word Roots A-1 book Word Roots A-1 cd Word Roots B-1 book Word Roots B-1 cd Punctuation Puzzler Commas A-1 book Editor in Chief Beginning book Editor in Chief A-1 book Editor in Chief A-2 book Novel Thinking Lesson Guides Spelling DooRiddles B-1 book Dr. DooRiddles B-1 book Dr. DooRiddles B-2 book Riddle Spiders B-1 cd Revenge of the Math Spiders A-1 cd Math Blockout! Fundamental Operations cd Math Detective A-1 book Math Detective A-1 cd Math Analogies Book 2 Scratch Your Brain B-1 book Science Detective Beginning book Science Detective Beginning cd Developing Critical Thinking Through Science Book 2 Building Thinking Skills Book 3 Figural/Verbal books Building Thinking Skills Verbal teacher cd Memory Challenge cd Mindbenders B-1 book Mindbenders B-2 book Get Me Out of Here A-1 software Creative Thinking Puzzlers A-1 book Balance Benders Beginning book Upcoming 3rd grader: Dr. DooRiddles B-1 Riddle Spiders A-1 Language Smarts Level C The Language Mechanic Word Roots A-1 book Word Roots A-1 cd Punctuation Puzzler Commas A-1 book Punctuation Puzzler Commas A-1 cd Mathematical Reasoning Level D book Math Analogies Book 1 Developing Critical Thinking Through Science Book 1 Building Thinking Skills Level 1 book Dr. DooRiddles A-3 book Memory Challenge cd Mindbenders Warmup book Mindbenders A-1 book Visual Perceptual Skill Building Book 2 Can You Find Me K-1 book Thinker Doodles Clues and Choose A-1 book Thinker Doodles Half n Half Animals A-1 book Hands on Thinking Skills book Balance Benders Beginning book Upcoming Kindergartner: Mathematical Reasoning Level A book Math Analogies Beginning book Building Thinking Skills Primary Dr. DooRiddles A-1 book Dr. DooRiddles A-2 book Memory Challenge cd Visual Perceptual Skill Building Book 1 Can You Find Me PreK book Mindbenders Beginning 1 book Also recommended was Brain Builder for the 3rd and 6th grader. This retails for $200. Is it a good program? I am really struggling to figure out what Critical Thinking Company products are more of a priority than others. Also, we downloaded a few demos of the software last night and we were not very impressed. I am wary of ordering software that won't perform correctly ... or will be out of date in a year or two. At least with the books, I can continue to pass them down to the next child! Thank you for advice and opinions on these products! :)