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.
Math is my least favorite subject to teach, so when I had a chance to review MathandAlgebra.com through the Homeschool Review Crew, I was hesitant. When I saw the program offered students video instruction, I wanted to try the program myself.
It may sound strange for a homeschool mom to become a student, but I really dislike math. I struggle to teach a subject that I don’t like. Putting myself in the role of student felt like a brilliant idea to help me better instruct my kids.
Getting Started:
I was provided with a membership for up to three students for courses in Basic Math, Advanced Math, Pre-Algebra, and Algebra. I logged in under the parent account, created a group name, and added myself and two of my children as students. I did not immediately have my kids use the program.
How The Program Works:
- Each lesson begins with a video tutorial where the math problems are written out on a whiteboard. As the numbers appear, math instructor Rick Fisher explains the steps for solving the problem.
- To practice what is being taught, a worksheet and answer key are available to download and print.
- Each chapter ends with a quiz to test what a student has learned. There is a final quiz at the end of each course.
- Students can earn badge awards as they complete lessons and succeed with quizzes. This helps keep them motivated.
How We Used The Program:
I began with basic math and tried to sneak a lesson when my kids were busy. When they realized I was the student, I was questioned often about the status of my homework.
I started with long division as it’s an area one of my kids has not yet mastered. I wanted to see how the program taught a concept I struggle to explain.
The instructional videos averaged around five minutes. The program does not use common core methods, so it was very clear and to the point. After the video, I completed the worksheet, checked my work on the answer key, and marked the lesson complete.
I’ve started using the program with my kids. There is not a placement test, so I had them each begin in different areas of the basic math course.
Although long division lessons have gone smoothly, I needed to make additional worksheets for extra practice. Each lesson we used had only one worksheet. As grading is not done online, I was able to see how my students were progressing as I checked their work.
The complexity of the problems increased quite a bit from lesson to lesson. I did not have my kids advance in lessons until I was sure a concept was fully understood.
Overall, I really appreciate how simple the course is to use. The instruction is clear and easy to understand. It has been a very helpful tool for teaching my kids. Go to the Review Crew to see how others are using MathandAlgebra.com.
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