bnwhitaker Posted April 1, 2013 Share Posted April 1, 2013 Are any of these books worth the money or time? Anyone love them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DragonFaerie Posted April 1, 2013 Share Posted April 1, 2013 We've used several of the Mindbenders book and really like them. I also have the Word Roots software, and I plan on buying Reading Detective and a few other things for next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lori D. Posted April 1, 2013 Share Posted April 1, 2013 Are any of these books worth the money or time? Anyone love them? We liked *some* of the Critical Thinking Press books and felt they were worthwhile -- esp. as I was able to buy several at a closeout sale or used. Usually we preferred the ones with more variety to them; otherwise, many seem like very expensive "one trick ponies" to us (such as Mindbenders). Of the Critical Thinking Press, we liked: - Dr. Funster's Think-A-Minutes (gr. 3-6) - Dr. Funster's Creative Thinking Puzzlers (gr. 3-6) - Reading Detective (gr. 3-4) - Think-A-Grams (gr. 7-12) The Red Herring books were okay -- though some of the solutions seemed lame to us, and we often (at least to us!) came up with more clever or more plausible answers. We used Critical Thinking Co. books where we couldn't find something similar (and less expensive) to substitute. (For example, there are a lot of free online or downloadable/printable grid logic puzzles that are just as good as Mindbenders; or the Perplexors series which has almost twice as many puzzles per book for a similar price as Mindbenders. Same thing with Word Winks, which had more puzzles for a much cheaper price than the similiar Think-A-Grams from Critical Thinking Press.) Also, we liked incorporating a lot of games and critical thinking activities that just aren't covered by the Critical Thinking Co. Just our experience! BEST of luck in finding what's a good fit for your family! Warmest regards, Lori D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crimson Wife Posted April 1, 2013 Share Posted April 1, 2013 We have enjoyed many of them but definitely purchase through Rainbow Resource because the shipping is ridiculous. Things we have liked; Think Analogies Math Analogies Balance Benders Mind Benders Editor-in-Chief Inference Jones Punctuation Puzzlers World History Detective Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pen Posted April 1, 2013 Share Posted April 1, 2013 Liked much we tried so far. Mindbenders Balance Math Balance Benders Critical Thinking Mathematical Reasoning Math Detective Shipping is currently $4 special, and they have a money back guarantee through them that is twice as long as Rainbow's, and I think could be used if dissatisfied even if the item has been tried ????? rather than only if it is in perfect resale condition (not sure, you would need to ask to clarify). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texasmama Posted April 1, 2013 Share Posted April 1, 2013 We are hooked on Mindbenders! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTJo1996 Posted April 2, 2013 Share Posted April 2, 2013 Yes their shipping is AWFUL and I have found some retailers who offer a discount like "20% off all items" will have an exception posted for CTC items. So I don't know that you can EVER get a deal on them unless it's at a used curriculum sale or Goodwill. We love Think-a-grams & Language Smarts. I agree with other posters who've said that some of the books seem to be all about mastering one task. We prefer the larger workbooks that have variety in them. Generally, these guys have a lock on the market in my opinion and some of their stuff is just plain worth the painful price! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arboreal TJ Posted April 2, 2013 Share Posted April 2, 2013 I have Building Thinking Skills Primary and Mathematical Reasoning Level A. I bought it for my K'ers. My kids are not gifted or even "bright" and the books were beneath them. My, just turned, 3 yr old enjoys them so it wasn't a total waste... I won't buy anymore CTC books without touching them first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punchie Posted April 2, 2013 Share Posted April 2, 2013 We've been mostly successful with CTC products. They have free shipping codes on their catalogs (if you spend over X amount of $$). We have liked: MindBenders LanguageSmarts Mathematical Reasoning Math Analogies Dr. DooRiddles Can You Find Me? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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