Homeschooling has led us into so many different activities, led us to look at so many different curriculum and helps for the student.  The Critical Thinking Co. is one place that we have used to supplement Jacob’s learning; we’ve mainly used products for critical thinking, but they carry products for reading, writing, math, science, and history too. Their products are wonderful, in my opinion, and have really helped Jacob to develop thinking skills that require a little more thinking outside the box….they help the child to really dig down and look at the bigger picture, as well as the smaller pieces that make up that bigger picture.

We received Balance Benders, Level 1, for review.  This level is designed for grades 4-12+, so it was just a bit too difficult for Jacob right now, as he’s just now going into 3rd grade.  However, it is something we will definitely be using in the future, as it will be complementary to his curriculum.

This particular series focuses on helping students develop logical reasoning skills, as well as pre-algebraic skills.  The book is compared to Sudoku.  This first book contains puzzles with a balance that is weighing different items on each side.  He has to use “deductive” reasoning to figure out which answers are true.  There are different patterns that he must figure out whether or not they are true, according to the scale.  The book gives 10 Balance Tips in the back that the student can read through and use in his problem-solving.  There are also solutions in the back of the book.  In the second half of the book, if he absolutely cannot solve a particular problem, there are hints at the bottom of the page (upside down) that he can use, as well.  These puzzles are meant to be fun, and for the right age, they definitely would be.  They’re also meant to help children do well on standardized tests and get ready for the higher-level exams they will eventually take, such as the Cornell Critical Thinking Test, Graduate Record Examination, Law School Admission Test, and the CA Critical Thinking Skills Test.  You can purchase Balance Benders for $9.99, from Beginner Level to Level 3.

You  might also check out Critical Thinking Widgets, which allow you to put free printables on your blog.  The Critical Thinking Co. is also hosting a Critical Thinking Moments Video Contest, in which you can enter a short video, which features you and your family using one of their products, giving a demo of how it works for your family.  You could be eligible to win a year’s supply of educational product, worth $500!  If you know of a teacher or person who has inspired you or others when it comes to learning, critical thinking, etc., you can nominate them for the Critical Thinking Heroes Award.  Our teachers and educators deserve the highest praise we can give them for their dedication and service.

(Disclosure: I received a Balance Benders book, free of charge, from The Critical Thinking Co., for the purposes of this review.)