Math Shed and Spelling Shed Review

Disclaimer: I received a FREE 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.

Spelling is not my specialty so we were excited to receive 12 months of access to both Math Shed and Spelling Shed.  If you are looking to add some spelling and math digital learning to your homeschool, let me tell you about Math Shed and Spelling Shed.

What is Math Shed and Spelling Shed?

Math Shed and Spelling Shed are part of EdShed.  The programs are designed to help your student improve their math and spelling proficiency.  Math Shed and Spelling shed are an online subscription. The program is web-based so it works on both a computer and also on the iPad.

Spelling Shed – Spelling Shed is a full Spelling curriculum program.  There are six levels (called Stages) plus a beginner level for phonics.  Each level has spelling lists that focus on a particular spelling rule.  For example, Stage 3 has a list for Long /a/ sound words. You can assign your student a Stage and even a specific Spelling word list.

You set up students and give them assignments in the “Teacher Hub”. You can also set the password for your student there or keep the recommended one.

They can work on spelling lists or play a game called”buzz” where they try to make different words with letters on the screen.

There are three kinds of game:

  •  Play – This is the main game type and use used for assignments
  • Bee Keeper – Can you guess your words by choosing letters.
  • Buzz Words – Make words using random letter tiles.

 

MathShed – MathShed is a web-based program with games to help your child learn different math facts.

The math games have a question and three answers to choose from.  There is catchy music and sound effects.  This is what the gameplay looks like.

Both games allow you to earn honeypots to buy different accessories for the avatar.  That is the main motivation for the student. There are also points so you can have a competition between students.  If you have two computers you can also set up a head to head competition by creating what’s called a Hive.  The teacher or the student can set up a hive competition game.  I tried it with my boys however we had issues with the iPad not showing the keyboard so we were not able to fully try that level.

What we thought

Math Shed and Spelling Shed were definitely helpful for my children working on spelling and math facts.  The boys enjoyed the games and were challenged.  I usually set up the game difficulty level for them depending on what I thought their level.  The Easy level shows all the letters that are used in the spelling word but the most difficult level does not give any help.  The instructions say not to worry about it using the easy level and to use the hard levels towards the end of the week.

One of the other nice features I liked about Spelling Shed was the curriculum guide.  There is a pdf and PowerPoint that you can use to teach the new spelling list.  I thought it was very helpful to see all the spelling words and the instructions on. how to teach and use the program.  Each week has a lesson plan, activities and printable practice/homework sheets with answers

I hope you consider EdShed to help your child spell better and build math mastery!

Be sure to visit the Homeschool Review Crew blog to read more reviews of Math Shed and Spelling Shed.

Spelling Shed & Math Shed {Education Shed Reviews}

Reading Kingdom program review

Disclaimer: I received a FREE 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.

If you are teaching your child to read be sure to check out the online reading program Reading Kingdom.  This blog post is a review of the online Reading Kingdom program.  Check out my review below to find out if Reading Kingdom could work for your child.

What is Reading Kingdom

Reading Kingdom is a captivating online reading program that also teaches the keyboard layout. The program works on computers and also on the iPad. Each lesson introduces a new word to learn.

There are several different activities to help learn the words. The new word is introduced and then you have to type the letters in the order. Sometimes there are letters between so the child had to distinguish which letters are correct and the correct order. If after a certain time the child has not selected or typed the word correctly, the right answers are shown on the screen. The time can be adjusted as shown in the picture below.

Since typing on the keyboard is required for the Reading Kingdom program it is nice to see that there is a game included for keyboard typing practice. The game uses a Space ship to shoots words by typing them on the keyboard.  There are several levels starting with the top row of the keyboard and then other rows are added and more words appear.

Reading Kingdome shows overall progress. You can see the word being learned in the current level.  You can even move students to the next lesson or have them do a lesson again.  There are five levels and a placement test which determines which level the student begins with.

What we thought about Reading Kingdom

To start the program my son took the online assessment. Since my son knows simple words the program started him with words like kid and girl. My son hasn’t learned sounds like ir but the program introduces them in a way that they get plenty of practice.

Even though my son knows how to use the iPad he actually doesn’t really know they keys on the keyboard. Initially, it frustrated him but thankfully there is also a game included with the program to practice typing.

We tried both the computer and the iPad. With the iPad, you have to use the on-screen keyboard which reduces the size of what is displayed on the screen. I thought some of the words were a little small. On the computer, you can either use the onscreen keyboard or the physical keyboard.  We ended up using the computer more than the iPad.

Overall my son enjoyed the activities but he got a little frustrated since he was not very familiar with the keyboard.  After some practice games, he got a little better and it was a little easier for him to continue on the program.  I also tried to help him a little with the general location where the letters were on the keyboard. It also helped to extend the program response time so he had more time to find the right letter.  I would definitely make sure your child has a beginning knowledge of the keyboard for Reading Kingdom.  Once my son started to get to know the keyboard a little better, he really started to enjoy the program more.   I would recommend checking out Reading Kingdom and try the 30-day free trial to see if it will work for your child.

Be sure to visit the Homeschool Review Crew blog to read more reviews of Reading Kingdom.

Reading Kingdom & ASD Reading {Reviews}