If you've been around the blog here for a while, you may know that math is my nemesis. Not only did I not like in school, but it's been one of the most difficult programs for me to try to teach in our homeschooling. And the search for math programs that work for us has been a never ending one. Ashlyne and Rachel particularly like using a computer-based math, so I've been on the look out for one that works for them...and for me. And along came the opportunity to review A+ Interactive Math.
A+ Interactive Math is truly a complete math curriculum. There are multimedia lessons, worksheets that can be done online or printed, a PDF curriculum book for each grade level, exams that can be taken online or printed, answer keys for the worksheets and exams, awards for completion, and tracking software that keeps up with material completed and the child's scores. I was pretty amazed because I felt like this was so complete. It isn't just a supplement to another math program. And it has so much to offer that I didn't feel as if I had to compensate or fill in gaps with something else. It also has a good balance of introducing new skills by building on previous skills and including review exams to be sure the student has opportunity for reviewing.
Right from the start I loved the flexibility. I assigned both of the girls to 4th grade. Ashlyne is older, but with the math struggles we've had, I wanted her to go back and cover some of the 4th grade topics. Within the grade level, the topics are listed in chapters. I was able to quickly see the material covered in that chapter, so I knew where to start the girls. And you can click on a chapter heading to see a video overview of what is covered. I started both girls in the same chapter- division- but the material was too difficult for Rachel, so it was easy to back her up to the previous chapter- multiplication.
We use the program daily for math. The girls work independently for the most part. There was one lesson that Rachel had before I moved her back that she didn't understand from the video presentation, and I went over it with her. The curriculum book has the exact wording and visuals used in the video presentation so that you can easily cover material and know how it was presented in the lesson.
The login screen is the same for the parent and the student. Each member has a unique user name and password. When you first login, you can launch the program. Parents can also go to manage students. In that section you can change a student's grade level. So if you needed to back up or go forward farther than just the grade level chapters, you can do that.
It is awesome that when you begin, there is a tutorial video to get you started and show you how everything in the program works. On the left hand side of the page are your chapter listings. Clicking on one will open up and show you the topics in the chapter.
The first thing I have the girls do each day is watch the multimedia lesson. The lesson is presented as a voice speaking while visuals are shown. The teacher speaks slowly and clearly. Her voice is easy to listen to and to understand. The lessons are short.
After they have watched the video, the girls click the Interactive Q&A button on the bottom right. This guides them through about five questions of guided practice covering the lesson they just watched. The questions are read aloud for them, and if they get one wrong, the teacher will show them how to work the problem correctly.
When the girls finish that part of the lesson, they click on the Update Lesson Status button at the top right and mark the lesson completed. This way I can look at their progress report from my account and see all lessons completed.
After the multimedia lesson, the girls complete a lesson worksheet. These worksheets can be printed off or completed online. At first, I was printing them off, but the girls really like doing them online, and when they do them online and finalize the worksheet, I get the scores automatically. I can also go in to the worksheets from my admin board and mark certain questions for review.
Sometimes - for Rachel particularly- the lesson drags on and frustrates her if she does the lesson and worksheet in the same day. So I will allow her to do the lesson the next day. I would rather she be able to process and understand and answer correctly than to have her just push through and get many wrong answers because she's frustrated.
Exams can also be taken online or printed out. The Exams button at the top of the screen will take the student to the chapter exams where they can choose the chapter they've just completed.
Besides the great, complete curriculum, A+ also has a pretty awesome record keeping system, which makes it easy on me. I can log in through my login information as the administrator. From there, I can see just what the girls have completed. I can look at their progress on the Interactive Q&A sections, the worksheets, and the exams.
The progress tracking is very easy to use, showing me clearly what all the numbers mean. I can determine exactly how many questions they attempted, completed, and answered correctly or incorrectly.
I can also see an overall progress summary that gives me a percentage grade for everything completed. We do not have to keep grades for our legal purposes, but it is hand to be able to see at a glimpse what their current grade is so that I can judge whether the material is at an appropriate level.
A+ Interactive Math has been an awesome math resource for us. The girls like the online course, and I feel good about the quality of their instruction. The lessons are clear and easy to understand, and I like the intuitive way in which concepts are presented and skills are taught. I think I've finally found a math resource that is here to stay for my younger crew.
The Facts:
Company: A+ Interactive Math
Product: Family Math Package
Ages: K-Algebra
Price: Based on subscription- available monthly, quarterly, or yearly for one to ten students
Connect with A+ Interactive Math online:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APlusTutorSoft
Twitter: https://twitter.com/aplustutorsoft
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/aplustutorsoft
Twitter: https://twitter.com/aplustutorsoft
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/aplustutorsoft
***********************Specials From A+ Interactive Math***************************
On May 4-May 18, A+ Interactive Math will be offering their Family Math Packages and Adaptive Placement Tests for 40%-50% off! Go to the A+ Interactive Math site on May 4, and check it out!
There are also many freebies on the site so that you can try out what A+ Interactive Math has to offer. Here are a few:
You can also check out Top 12 Reasons to Use Adaptive Placement Test and Lessons and Top 12 Reasons to use Family Math Package.
Other Crew members reviewed this as well as another product from A+ Interactive, the Adaptive Placement Test and Individualized Lesson Plans. Click the banner to read the other reviews.
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