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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think it’s unhelpful?

22 replies

sparxmaths · 29/09/2023 14:11

i have 2 at senior school and the Sparx Maths is causing no end of issues. Both children are in the top sets if that makes any difference?

We notice that no other homework causes such or any frustration, anger - and tears!

What can I do to help? School believe it’s great but the children utterly hate it. I’m wondering what the evidence is for using this online programme?

AIBU to think that the children are just struggling with the work set, and need a tutor??

Or is Sparx just highlighting the problems and justifiably getting them to actually work the issues out rather than them getting it wrong and not addressing it?

help!

OP posts:
HappyAsASandboy · 29/09/2023 14:55

One of my kids uses Sparx maths and I love it!

She engages with it because it isn't a maths book. She likes that she can complete it in any order rather than having to write it out in numerical order. She feels the achievement of finishing it each week.

She hates the videos though!

Original poster
sparxmaths · 29/09/2023 15:58

Interesting. Anyone else!?

OP posts:
Original poster
sparxmaths · 29/09/2023 18:18

Bumping

OP posts:
Inmyownlittlecorner · 29/09/2023 18:24

I work in a secondary school & all the kids hate it. The biggest group in detentions for not doing HW is always sparkx related.
My DD's school have just started using it & her & her friends hate it as well!!
I assume they use it because it's cheap?

Pushmepullyou · 29/09/2023 18:28

My kids both do it and hate it. They previously did hegarty maths with no significant issues so it’s definitely a sparx issue rather than just a maths issue

fgsstopbs · 29/09/2023 18:30

It takes forever! We had Dr Frost last year and have Sparx maths now. All I can suggest is having a break every so often so the kids won't get mad. Normally have a week to complete, do a bit each night.

MidnightOnceMore · 29/09/2023 18:38

SPARX is absolutely shit.

The school parrots the marketing blurb but it's dreadful.

LuckOfTheDrawer · 29/09/2023 18:58

Mine hates it too - top set, and it made him cry a couple of nights ago.

He really resists having to write down his working, which it seems to make necessary. I'm not saying that's a bad thing actually.

But yeah, we're not fans here.

whereonthestair · 29/09/2023 19:14

My son loves it. His maths has come on leaps and bounds as he has to work things out. The technology limits writing which is a good thing for us. It also goes back and revised previous subjects. It has revolutionised our son's learning who was behind expectations on leaving year 6. Now he is doing maths olympiads.

whereonthestair · 29/09/2023 19:15

We did get the school to turn of the need to write down working!

LuckOfTheDrawer · 29/09/2023 19:50

whereonthestair · 29/09/2023 19:15

We did get the school to turn of the need to write down working!

Oh, I didn't know this was possible!

Original poster
sparxmaths · 29/09/2023 20:16

I remember Hegarty maths - they were fuss free homework days!

OP posts:
OliveWah · 29/09/2023 20:45

Our school uses Sparx. My eldest DD has just left school, and there would often be tears and frustration over Sparx homework, and more often than not, some help from DH.

Younger DD is in Yr 10 and finds Sparx pretty straightforward, I can only remember one time she has ever needed additional help with it, usually just the video tutorials are helpful enough.

Both girls in top set for Maths, I think it just depends on the child. They have a Sparx club at school and if you can't complete the homework at home, then you go to the club at lunchtime and a Maths Teacher will be on hand to help. If you make the effort to go to the Sparx club but still haven't managed to complete the assignment, then the rest is "forgiven" for that week.

ToxicPositivity · 29/09/2023 20:49

I've never heard of Sparx maths however for the folks saying they hate having to show the workings, for any degree that has a maths based element you will always be awarded marks for your working out even if your answers wrong.

Original poster
sparxmaths · 29/09/2023 23:45

I’m going to ask the teachers if the kids especially the youngest is having issues in class .. see if they have anymore feedback. They’ll probably tell me something really vague… ugh.

My eldest just told me he looks up Sparx problems on Hegarty maths! Apparently the explanations are a bit clearer… ? Not ideal probably but maybe this will help someone else. It’s a work around of sorts and I’ll be encouraging my youngest to find help somewhere.

The maths hate is now quite strong - I can’t see the kid giving up a lunchtime to go. Respect to your child who does make the effort though!

I wouldn’t mind then showing workings out but I’m fairly certain no one ever ever checks them!

OP posts:
BorisIsACuntWaffle · 29/09/2023 23:49

Sparx is the new version of heggarty. It's expensive

If it's setup correctly it will work well. It's got to be set at the correct level to start with for it to work well

Glorifried · 29/09/2023 23:59

Dd hates that I get Sparx emails... 'X hasn't started their maths homework yet, please encourage her to do so!'

I do always remind her despite her rolling her eyes at me😂

ThreePointOneFourOneFiveNine · 30/09/2023 00:49

I tutor GCSE maths and have seen students and my own kids get in quite a state over Sparx maths. I believe it is trying to force kids to show their working, which it is vital that they do if they want to pass their GCSE. I'm not sure it's hugely effective though, but I have yet to see a maths homework program that is. On the plus side I've never seen Sparx mark a correct answer as incorrect just because it was written differently, which was a problem with hegarty maths (it may have been fixed by now). I'd be interested to see what the kids who do diligently show their work think of Sparx.

Original poster
sparxmaths · 30/09/2023 08:47

That’s interesting thank you @ThreePointOneFourOneFiveNine

My two are diligent about showing their working... Just sometimes with venom -and disgust!!

@BorisIsACuntWaffle I’m going to check with the teacher if the level isn’t set too high?

I also think PPs suggestion of a bit everyday or so could be less stressful for all of us.

OP posts:
Bookworm1111 · 06/12/2023 12:38

Reviving this thread @sparxmaths because we have had serious issues with this program and the detrimental impact it's had on our DC. We complained to their school and it turns out loads of other parents had also been emailing about it, so having looked at the issues with it and realising it's a flawed system, the school has stopped using it. Yes, using AI cuts down staff workload, but because teachers have no input into the homework Sparx sets each individual child, they don't have the time during class to go through which bits each child didn't understand. You only have to go on TikTok to see how much children hate it. It's bloody awful.

ChurchOrganist · 08/10/2024 22:14

Huh? I'm in secondary and I love it!

crackersancheese · 13/10/2025 19:42

we have just started using it i dont understand why we didnt ceep dr frost sparx is aufull ive been doing this homework for 2 hours and i still havt finnished i hate it i want dr frost back im in my last year of secondarry about to gcse and now i have to spend hours confused it doesnt tell u how ur sopposed to do it when u get it wrong. it wont let u move on if one is wrong, and u cant make notes on dr frost u could and it didnt matter if u get it wrong. sparx should die

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