Laurie taught in a resource program where she worked with small groups of general education students identified with mild learning disabilities. It was during this time that her fourth and fifth graders would walk

into her room reciting the 'rap' style of complex rhythms and rhymes. Laurie realized quickly that there was

a message. "If you can memorize all of this, why don't you know your times tables?" she asked them.

She decided that by using music, rhythm and rhyme, so important and natural to all youngsters,

many more would want to study and learn their tables, and be more successful.

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Laurie and Nick met at a songwriting course and strengthened their relationship afterward by collaborating on original ballads and playing in a band together. They sang and played original tunes and popular songs

at local special events and at elementary school assemblies. After Laurie wrote the original lyrics of the

Times Table Rap, Nick wrote the music that brought the lyrics alive. They received a great deal of positive feedback from all types of kids and parents. They continued to craft their product with each one

contributing to the other's strength and the Times Table Rap was completed in early 2004.