I really don't like cheesy educational products for kids. No readers resembling comic books or frivolous CDs or videos that happen to contain a few nuggets of useful information pass through our front door. My children genuinely enjoy classical music. My son says he wants to be a "live composer" (instead of a dead one). This set of math facts CDs provides a satisfying combination of classical music and math facts memorization. The four CDs are sold individually or in a set: Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, and Division.

Each CD contains two tracks for each set of facts, one track that includes the facts and the answers and one track that includes facts without the answers (so that the child can call out the answers). Each CD comes with a booklet. The booklets present the math facts both horizontally and vertically. They also include brief biographies of the composers and crossword puzzles that cover the basic facts from the biographies (with solutions on the back). The Addition and Subtraction booklets also include a practice drill page that may be reproduced.

The music selections on the CDs are just wonderful. What an easy and enjoyable way to introduce children to some of the most enduring classical melodies and composers. The songs are performed with two voices that blend well together and articulate the words clearly. When my child listens to the songs, both the math facts and the classical music become entrenched in his mind. The capacity for children to memorize song lyrics has always amazed me. I would much rather him memorize these tunes than silly twaddle, and I love hearing him sing along.

Here is a listing of the composers whose music is included on each CD:

• Addition: Tchaikovsky, Handel, Bach, Morley, Mozart, Dvorak, Strauss, Mouret, Verdi, and Mendelssohn
• Subtraction: Pachelbel, Chopin, Schumann, Rachmoninoff, Elgar, Clementi, Puccini, Gounod, Vivaldi, and MacDowell
• Multiplication: Mozart, Bach, Bizet, Beethoven, Rossini, Schumann, Haydn, Strauss, Chopin, Handel, and Schubert
• Division: Purcell, Grieg, Brahms, Offenbach, Tchaikovsky, Ponchielli, Sousa, Saint-Saens, Sullivan, Liszt, and Wagner

  The booklet and CD sets come packaged in a sealed thin, clear cellophane envelope. The CDs inside the cellophane are contained in a clear plastic sleeve. I would prefer a jewel case for the CDs for better protection and ease of storage.

  Each CD lists for $15.95. The set of all 4 CDs/booklets is available for $54.23. In addition, extra workbooks are available for $5.00 each. You may listen to a number of song samples on the website, which I highly recommend. Sing 'n Learn has a plethora of high-quality auditory learning products in a wide range of subject areas. Fred and Sarah Cooper are homeschool veterans who have a knack for choosing and creating very good learning materials. I have availed myself of other offerings from their site recently, and I have been very pleased. 
  
  

  
  Product review by Nancy Casari Dayton, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, March 2008