Having been glued to all the recent threads about maths, I’m thinking about all options for teaching maths to my kids. In particular, I like the idea of self-directed learning BUT I’d also like to feel confident that they are learning what i want them to without cheating. I wondered if an online assessment / teaching program could achieve this? I’d rather spend time teaching or playing than marking if at all possible! Would this help teaching multiple children? Or is it better to stick to the age old practice of books?
So, has anyone got any experience with any online curriculae (curriculums??) for maths? I don’t want something that is all flashy graphics and minimal content. Equally it would be nice if it were interesting enough to grab the children’s attention.
I have used IXL - I like it, I don’t love it. I see it as a great way to ensure you’ve covered all the correct topics, I didn’t find it overly inspiring for teaching maths concepts. I’m not sure it is enough on its own.
Anyone tried any of these? Or any others that are better?!
I have been liking scoot pad lately. It is similar to IXL math. But I like it personally because it works on my ipad. There is also a langagae section. And place to add other assignments.
I have also been letting James watch a series of YouTube videos that are quite good. They are by appuseries. You can search for their playlist for grade 1 maths. There are 13 chapters. Some of the chapters are split into 2 parts.
So far we have only done the first 6 of the grade 1 maths series, but I am suspecting that they line up with Kindergarten standards in the US a little more than 1st grade. I will see how the videos progress. I think they go up to 3rd grade.
Korrale4k, thanks for the Appuseries link! Dougie took to it immediately and it was just the extra little something I needed in maths right now.
Just wanted to recommend Destination Math from HM, has been very helpful and is not excessive on graphics (and is based on Saxon Math). Of the ones you mentioned Lzp11, I checked them out and I personally wouldn’t use them except for iSingapore which looks really swell - because of the drama with the graphics. Dreambox had great reviews but before it even loaded up (trial) Douglas was gone! I prefer more maths and less of the cartoon like graphics personally.
My wife’s school is using/switching over to Aleks for the students struggling in math. The school does subscribe to a constructivist approach, but I doubt that Aleks follows that method (the school tends to go more traditional when the kids start struggling). From what she’s described to me, the program basically feeds the student right in the sweet spot (just challenging enough) which is constantly calculated as they go. Kids work through the program on their own, and the master account can monitor the progress, the program also monitors and adjust as they go.
I have no idea if it’s any good, but apparently the kids are doing well with it (not sure how to measure that opinion though) - maybe worth checking out FWIW
If you are starting with a child who has no counting skills or weak counting skills, you might consider funnix math. http://www.funnix.com/ They offer their program once a year for free so I have read. They recently did it in December or something. I am using it with my three year old to reinforce one to one correspondence. Its very thorough in my opinion, and it moves slowly through counting so that its not too much for a three year old.
The lessons are pretty short and interactive so that the child doesn’t wonder off. It even works on writing numbers as you have a work book that accompanies the program. You do one page per lesson which really fits for a young child. There isn’t a whole lot on each page either. Its just the right amount. The graphics are older but they are suitable to keep the attention of a child.
We are currently on lesson 15, and my daughter really likes it. Even my one year old will sit in my lap and watch with my 3 year old. He recognizes numbers, so its cute when he participates. I think I will redo the program with my one year old when he is 2 or so. The program is great for systematic teaching of counting.
My three year old had descent counting skills before the program, and I really thought this program would be too dull and repetitive, but at this age I find that plenty of practice in counting is very vital. The steps towards addition and subtraction are very small and thorough which I find necessary in a young child. I find if you miss a step, you will loose them and have to go back again.
There is just the right amount of practice of each skill and the thoroughness of each step that it leaves my child confident to keep moving forward. She doesn’t find it hard and yet I see her growing in her understanding of counting. Each lesson is divided into sections, and I think its completely adaptable to be used with a one year old or two year old if one felt so inclined to try it out for that particular age group. I never thought I would like the program, but I am very surprised. I will be putting my three year old through the entire program, and I feel by the end of it she will have a thorough understanding of early mathematics skills. Its not an online program but it is a downloadable computer program. Happy hunting!
Not a program per se, but a series that addresses math.
The Number Crew – my kids like it and we use it to reinforce some of the concepts, in my opinion it is a fun way to review and re-inforce ( we do not watch TV in our house, just selected educational programs, and this is one on our math education/entertainment list and a huge hit :yes: )
The programme units are based on the National Numeracy Framework (which is based on the Mathematics National Curriculum for England and Wales) – there are about 60 10 minute programs
There are lots of choices online. As far as I know, there are kumon, T4L, Singapore math… We has been using online math, too. I registered my daughter on beestar. It’s for elementary and high school. Programs are full of all real life word problems, challenging stuff to help kids thinking. Worksheets are timed and scored. Plus, math is free for any grade. What a deal!
Lisa