A Stable Beginning: Math

Showing posts with label Math. Show all posts

Friday, November 11, 2022

Interactive learning with Brilliant ~ a TOS review

Disclaimer: I received a Complimentary copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family. I am disclosing this in accordance with FTC Regulations.

Good morning friends! We’ve made it to the end of another week! I don’t know about you but for me the school year feels like it is flying by. As we approach the holiday season, I am looking to slow down just a little bit while still giving my kiddos an educational experience. To accomplish this we have been dabbling a little bit each morning into the world of STEM skills with our Premium Subscription from Brilliant.

The Brilliant program is just that, brilliant! We received a Premium Subscription for two students and I used it for myself and McKenzie, my 7th grader. Many people, including myself, find it hard to fit in STEM activities in the daily home educating process. However, by using Brilliant’s interactive web and mobile based program your student will learn problem solving, critical thinking, and logical reasoning skills in just 15-20 minutes a day.

Brilliant’s online learning platform helps your student, aged 10+, master concepts in science, math, engineering, and logic by simply solving challenging problems in a hands-on approach. If you have read this blog for a while or know me in real life, you know I am all for hands-on learning!

With over 70 online courses geared for everyone in 6th grade and up you can be sure to find something to study including courses on Everyday Math, Pre-Algebra, Geometry Fundamentals, Scientific Thinking. Computer Science Fundamentals, and Logic.

For this review I focused on the Pre-Algebra course with my 7th grader McKenzie. During the morning I had her use it as a brain warm-up before getting started on her math lesson for the day. Since the Brilliant is an interactive program, it adapts to the user’s knowledge level, so you get the most out of the program. In the next few weeks, I am going to add in the Scientific Thinking course for McKenzie and we will most likely sit and tackle those together with little brother looking in too.

Brilliant is one of the courses I never knew existed but has found a place in our daily homeschool adventures! I also love that the learning can be on-the-go, especially since we are about to start traveling for gymnastics season. McKenzie and I are going to Puerto Rico for a competition in a few weeks and Brilliant will be coming along so she can continue her schooling on the road. And since I have already started thinking of next year’s courses, I have moved Brilliant’s Logic course to the top of my short list of programs for McKenzie’s 8th grade year as well. I am excited about this program for when Micah is old enough to take part as well.

I wholeheartedly recommend you check out Brilliant for your family. Help spark the natural learning curiosity in the students in your life by gifting them a subscription for their birthday and Christmas. I know we will continue to use this program through the end of our subscription and beyond. Be sure to click the banner below to find out what my CrewMates thought of this program as well.

Company ~ Brilliant

Product ~ Premium Subscription

Format ~ online, interactive program

Price ~ $149.85

Ages ~ 6th grade - adult

Find Brilliant on these Social Media Links:

Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Instagram ~ YouTube

http://astablebeginning.com

Wednesday, August 31, 2022

Wordless Wednesday

https://astablebeginning.com

Friday, August 12, 2022

Non Common Core online math curriculum from CTC Math ~ a TOS review

Disclaimer: I received a Complimentary copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family and I pray you, the reader, find them helpful on your homeschooling journey. I am disclosing this in accordance with FTC Regulations. Dynamic Literacy WordBuild Online

Morning friends! It’s Friday and we have made it to the end of week TWO in our new homeschool year. Have you started back to school yet? Does your state require testing each year and the math results for your children were less than desirable? No need to stress or wrack your brain worrying about your child “falling behind” and you don’t need to pay for a personal tutor. How then will you get your student back on track? Easy, just check out the online homeschool math program created just for families from CTC Math.

CTC Math is the most complete online math tutor covering kindergarten math through Calculus. World – renowned Australian math teacher, Pat Murray, presents math concepts in a visual step-by-step process. Your child will have the ability to stop and rewind or repeat a concept until mastery. With over 1300 video tutorials CTC Math is there to help your child conquer their math studies and help them excel. For just $148.50 a year, this is special pricing for us cool homeschoolers, the 12 Month Family Plan allows up to 10 students to have unlimited access to all the levels the program provides. An excellent value for those with larger families! If you don’t need that many students slot, CTC Math is still an excellent value for one student at just $98.50 per year, again half off for the cool kids. An excellent value for those with larger families! One student access is just $98.50 per year.

As I said, we received a 12-month family subscription that I used with Micah (8-year old 3rd grader) and McKenzie (12-year old 7th grader). McKenzie and Micah each excel at math which is great. McKenzie however didn’t have a great math year for 6th grade last year, so I was especially grateful for the opportunity to use this homeschool math curriculum as a supplement over the summer months. Fractions and decimals is where she is struggling so I loved that with this program we could focus on those specific areas of hardship.

Each grade section includes video instruction for the mathematical topics which are typically 10 minutes in length. Once the lecture is complete the student then tests his or her knowledge by answering 10 questions. At the younger grade levels, the students answer questions online with the option to use a printable worksheet. Older, more advanced students print out a worksheet to work the problems, then enter the answer online for scoring. At the end of the question portion, the student is awarded a certificate of completion.

To get started with the program, there is a short diagnostic test for placement. However, you don’t need to start with the placement if your child is in kindergarten or you know their current math level. Each section is divided into subsections so you can focus on the topic at hand. For Micah I didn’t use the diagnostic test because I knew I wanted to work on the 2nd grade revision sets with him. For McKenzie I had her take the diagnostic test and I am so glad I did so I could see where she was struggling. For both kids I can set the minimum passing standard for their work, I choose 90% for our family.

Overall, we have enjoyed using this and will continue to do so to fill in the learning gaps and shore up our math. And guess what my favorite part of CTC Math is? There is NO Common Core! Just traditional math the way I, and probably you too, learned back in our school days. I also like that you can move to any grade level and/or any section you would like to pinpoint where you need instruction.

Micah’s favorite part was playing the extra games, Speed Skills and Times Tables, found at the bottom of the website. He is also so close to solving the Swap Pieces game! As for McKenzie, I am looking forward to going full steam ahead and filling in her gaps as our school year has begun. She will be utilizing the CTC Math on her gym double days and when her competition season starts back up and we are on the road again. Her love for math is still there even though she has hit a rough spot. I know with the help of CTC Math she will be able to get back on track and build her mathematical confidence again.

With CTC Math, math might just become your child’s favorite subject! But don’t just take my word for it, click on the banner below and read the thoughts of 33 of my CrewMates.

Company ~ CTCMath

Product ~ 12 month family membership

Format ~ online math curriculum

Price ~ $148.50

Ages ~ Kindergarten - Calculus

Find CTC Math on these Social Media sites:

Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Instagram ~ Pinterest ~ YouTube

https://astablebeginning.com

Friday, July 22, 2022

Mastering Essential Math Skills, Book Two ~ a TOS review

Disclaimer: I received a Complimentary copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family and I pray you, the reader, find them helpful on your homeschooling journey. I am disclosing this in accordance with FTC Regulations.

Morning friends! Whew, it’s been a week to say the least but I am so glad that it is Friday! We don’t have any big plans but to finish preparing for our fast approaching school year. However, today I am excited to bring you another great review of a homeschool math program called Mastering Essential Math Skills Book 2 from Math Essentials.

The Mastering Essential Math Skills book 2 is written by veteran 6th grade math teacher Richard W. Fisher, also known as “America’s Math Teacher” for his dedication of over 31 years of teaching math. He is also the winner of the Intel Innovations in Teaching Award as well as the Glenn W. Hoffmann Exemplary Awards Program.

We received the 158 page paperback workbook that is geared towards middle grades/High School. Each lesson in this program has a corresponding video lesson that’s available on the Math Essentials website. The eight key area topics covered in this homeschooling math program include :

~ Whole Numbers

~ Fractions

~ Decimals

~Percent’s

~Geometry

~Integers

~Charts & Graphs

~Word Problems

There is also a Final Review Section in the back along with the Answer Key, useful math charts, as well as a Glossary of math terms.

Each page is a complete lesson and it is laid out the same way throughout the book. First your student will complete the Speed Drill which tests their knowledge in quick math facts. You choose the number that your child needs to focus on.

A Review section, does just that by reviewing previously worked on concepts. I really like this spiral approach. In the middle of the page a Helpful Hints portion gives hints for the next concept that will be taught. The lesson includes ten problems to complete and includes an area to record answers on the right hand side. At the bottom of the page a Problem Solving question is given. It is essentially a word problem for the lesson to provide a different way to state the problem and to get they student thinking.

I used this book with McKenzie, my rising 7th grader. She has been able to use this book three days a week to keep fresh on her math work over our summer break. Once we start school back up in August, she will continue to use this book on the days that she has a double day at gym. I am confident that this workbook can stand in the place of her normal math program on the days she is at the gym all day.

I am excited for McKenzie to continue working through this book to solidfy the math skills in this book. They are essential to success in upper level math. Math Essentials is offering their online program math and algebra for free for 3 months. Check them out and use the code CREW2022 to sign up. And be sure to check out what my CrewMates think of this curriculum as well as the Mastering Essential Math Skills, Pre-Algebra Concepts that was also reviewed by clicking the banner below.

Company ~ Math Essentials

Product ~ Mastering Essential Math Skills Book Two

Format ~ paperback workbook

Price ~ $23.55

Ages ~ Middle – High School

https://astablebeginning.com

Tuesday, June 7, 2022

At My Pace Pre-Algebra with High School Math Live ~ a TOS review

Morning friends! Hope your week is going great! Have you already finished your school year? Or are you in the last few weeks or days? Are you looking at courses for next school year? Have you decided on what you are using for high school math? Teaching high school math intimidates many homeschooling parents but the courses in the At My Pace Courses -Pre-Algebra from High School Math Live can make it a bit easier!

High School Math Live (HSML) offers Live and At My Pace (AMP) courses for students in Pre-Algebra through Calculus I. We received the first semester of the AMP course for Pre-Algebra A (first semester) and we tried it out with McKenzie my rising 7th grader.

The beauty of the At My Pace courses are just that, at your student’s pacing. So if your child has difficulty on a particular topic they can spend as much time as needed to master the concept. Students are enrolled in the AMP course until the final exam is taken or for a period of 12 months from day of purchase. I should note that if your student fails to finish the course in the twelve months allotted, they will receive a grade of incomplete.

If your student needs specific instruction on math topics and concepts you are able to purchase each semester individually or as a pair since the courses are divided into two semesters, AMP course A (first semester) and AMP course B (second semester). However, each semester is sold separately. If you need or want accreditation the courses are accredited by Western Association of Schools and Colleges. If you have a student athlete, you will be pleased to know that all of the courses from High School Math Live are also approved by NCAA!

Once you enroll, an experienced, credentialed educators teach each of the following At My Pace (AMP) courses including:

• Pre-Algebra

• Algebra I

• Algebra II

• Pre-Calculus with Trigonometry

• Calculus I

Each AMP courses 35 lessons are taught by pre-recorded video of the teacher teaching the lesson. Videos are about 30-45 minutes in length and can be stopped, paused, and rewound if need be. Suggested homework problems for each lesson, usually the odd numbered problems, are assigned to check for concept mastery. Students can find the solutions to the odd problems in the back of the book so they can check to make sure they have solved the problem correctly. Seventeen assessments and a cumulative final exam is provided for each course. Each course also comes with 2.5 hours of one-on-one tutoring during the course of enrollment.

Using this course with McKenzie has been a good so far. We are taking it very slowly as I don’t want to overload her. We have been working each lesson over the course of two weeks because we have the time during the end of the school year and summer when we are using this program. The format is different from our normal math curriculum, so that has taken a little to get used to for myself and McKenzie. I myself felt overwhelmed during the first few times we accessed the course. It became easier as McKenzie worked through the program. The setup of the course was a familiar setup for McKenzie as she has taken live online courses this year.

At this point we plan to continue on with this homeschool Pre-Algebra curriculum for the fall. Be sure to check out what my CrewMates think of this program as four others have reviewed the Geometry and Pre-Calculus programs by clicking the banner below to read their thoughts.

Company ~ High School Math Live

Product ~ At My Pace Courses Pre-Algebra

Format ~ online, at students pacing

Price ~ $300.00 per semester

Ages ~ high school level math

Find High School Math Live on these Social Media Links:

Facebook ~ Instagram

https://astablebeginning.com

Thursday, June 2, 2022

Challenging Word Problems with Singapore Math Live ~ a TOS review

Morning friends!

Hope your week is going great! Have you already finished your school year? Or are you in the last few weeks, days? If you are looking for something to keep your children's math skills sharp over the summer I would suggest you looking into the Singapore Math Live and their Challenging Word Problems program. Word problems can be just as challenging for parents to explain as it is for students to complete; that's why I was thrilled to review Singapore Math Live - Challenging Word Problems Level 4 with McKenzie.

We received the Challenging Word Problems Level 4 workbook as well as access to all of the online videos to accompany. The multi-step problems found in this program can help your child in their problem solving and critical thinking skills needed for daily life by using it with your current math curriculum for just 10-20 minutes a day.

In the video course your student will watch teacher Brenda, a fellow homeschooling parent, work out all the solutions on a whiteboard. These videos hep the student see the why and how to strategize and solve the problem. If you have an older student, they can probably watch the videos by themselves as they work through the word problems. Younger students would benefit having a parent with them as they go through the videos.

The Challenging Word Problems Level 4 workbook includes over 300 questions and covers the following topics: ~ whole numbers ~ four operations of the whole numbers ~ mental calculations ~ operations on fractions ~ decimals ~ angles ~perpendicular and parallel lines ~ tiling patterns and symmetry ~ area and perimeter ~ tables and graphs ~ volume ~ solid figures

The math problems in the Level 4 book were just the right amount of push for McKenize. Who is my rising 7th grader. She is strong in math, but some these problems made her think and see the full process of how to get to the solution. I like that she is able to work her solutions in the actual notebook and that she has to show her work. Typically, she is able to figure out solutions in her head without showing her work. It drives me bonkers, so I like that she needs to show her work.

Overall, I have found that this is a great supplement to our main math curriculum. I think these videos will make a great addition to any homeschool and to help your student really master the thought process needed to work through word problems. But don’t just take my word for it! Fourteen of my CrewMates also reviewed the Challenging Word Problems Levels 1-6 so be sure to click the banner below and see what they think of the program.