Tag Archives: math

Mastering Logic & Math Problem Solving book review

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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.

The Critical Thinking Co.™ provides fantastic critical thinking resources for students such as Mastering Logic & Math Problem Solving. I was provided the physical book Mastering Logic & Math Problem Solving to use with my kids.

The Mastering Logic & Math Problem Solving book has ten chapters that each cover a different type of Logic/math problem.  For example, there is a chapter on solving Geometry Word problems, and of course, there are chapters for Algebra Word problems.  Thankfully the answers are also in the back so you will not be left wondering what’s the right answer.  The introduction of the book and the beginning of each chapter have hints for solving a particular type of problem.  In the picture below you can see the flowchart suggested.

Master Logic and Math problems?  How about enjoying Math word problems?  That’s exactly what the book is for.  The book says the goal is to “have students approach all types of problems with a sense of fun anticipation and confidence.” The book has general problem-solving strategies, a flow chart, and tips for all the different types of problems.  I thought that there were a good number of examples to follow.  I always like examples and I thought the Mastering Logic & Math Problem Solving book had just the right amount of example problems.

I let my son pick out what problems he thought looked interesting and then I gave him some that corresponded with his math level.  He really likes puzzles so he really enjoyed the book. You can see in the picture below one of the problems he worked out.  As you can see many of the problems have a diagram to help you draw out the problem

Here is another example of how the book leads you through an algebra story problem. You can see how it makes it easier to figure out using the provided table to fill in. I would definitely recommend it for your child if they are having problems figuring out Algebra story problems.

My problem-solving boys loved just picking up the book and trying their hand at different problems. Even my 18 year old would try some of the problems.  My boys really enjoyed the different problems.  I would suggest making sure the problems are at their level and that they don’t cheat and look at the answers in the back before they try it.  The book says grades 6 -9 and I would agree however even higher level high schoolers will enjoy the challenges.  I would recommend Mastering Logic & Math Problem Solving if you have a junior high or high schooler who is not thrilled with word problems as a supplement to your math curriculum.  I would also recommend it if your child enjoys solving problems!

We used Mastering Logic & Math Problem Solving, but other families used various books from The Critical Thinking Co.™ so be sure to visit the Homeschool Review Crew to read more views.

Creative Problem Solving, Dare to Compare Math, Mastering Logic & Math and Who Is This Kid? Colleges Want to Know! {The Critical Thinking Co.™ Reviews}

Math Shed and Spelling Shed Review

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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}

How to get rid of your math curriculum

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Math is the subject parents love to teach right?  Wrong! Even though I have a minor in math, I can still get frustrated trying to explain what seems like simple concepts to my children.  The traditional math curriculum utilizes a number of worksheets to cover each new topic.  At our house many times there is a search for the math book before we can even get started.  We have tried several different math curriculum. The problem we encounter is the different learning styles of our different children.

My goal is not to have my child finish their X grade math book.  My goal is for my child to master the math concepts.  I know I never mastered some of the most basic math concepts so I vowed that my children would master math.  Since we started homeschooling I have tried to chose curriculum with that goal in mind.

Most curriculum is still based on the grade levels with lots of workbook activities.  With math, you usually need instructions at all levels.  Sometimes while trying to teach my kids, I would show one of my kids a Khan video.  My daughter was having problems recently so I decided to look at Khan academy once again.  Below is an example of one of the Khan videos.


Multiplication 5:  2-digit times a 2-digit number: Multiplying a 2-digit number times a 2-digit number

I was surprised that Khan academy has been updated to taking tutoring to the next level and paves the way for eliminating math curriculum.  Now at Khan academy you can track your childs progress along with watching all the tutorial videos. Students can also practice on the computer with thier progress being recorded.  You can create a mentor account at khanacademy.org.  You can then add each of your children under your account.  To do this you just log into your account and then add /createchild to the end of the web address and then press enter

www.khanacademy.org/createchild

The only problem I had was that my passwords I chose were too weak and therefore not accepted.  Finally I capitalized the first letter of my password and it was then accepted.  Once you have added your children you can then watch their progress as their mentor.

Creating accounts for your children on Khan academy now allows you to track the progress of your children.  There are some other advantages also to using Khan academy.

Advantages:

  1. I don’t get frustrated with explaining again and again.
  2. They can watch the videos as often as they like
  3. Self paced learning – learn for mastery.
  4. Record of individual progress.
To see more of Khan academy in action you can watch the Ted talk about Khan Academy.

Last but not least there is also an iPad/iphone app for Khan academy.

So have I gotten rid of my math curriculum?  Not yet but in the future hopefully I can track the progress of my children with Khan academy.  Who know maybe one day I can just say we use Khan academy for our curriculum.  What do you use for your math curriculum?  Do you use a tablet in place of worksheets?

Math apps for the iPad

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How to choose a good iPad Math App.

There are numerous math apps for the iPad.  How do you decide which one to buy?  If you ask my kids which app they like they would say “Rocket Math”.  While Rocket math is a good app it doesn’t always line up with my goals for them and math.

For instance my son is working on memorizing the multiplication facts.  When given the chance to play my son of course chooses easy math targets so he can collect more money and build a better rocket.  The rocket then becomes the object of the game for him not learning math facts.  While this does get him interested, it is not necessarily the best and quickest way for him to learn his math facts.

It is for this reason I decided on the iPad Math App Math Board.  Instead of using a math App to help my son learn, I decided to use Math Board to quiz him.  One of the key features I looked for was the ability to quiz on only one multiplication family.  For instance if my son needs help on the 7x’s tables then I can select an option to ensure that 7 is included in every quiz question.  While the cost at $4.99 seemed a little high you can try out the Addition only Math Board App for free.  My one complaint is that there are occasional messages about buying other apps even though I have the full version.  Other then that the apps is great.  One other feature that I try and shy away from with math apps is multiple choice.