maths programmes/online - any that 'teach'?

[Allconsumingshitstorm]

Hi all, my son is in Y1. Doing fine- I'm thinking ahead to summer and hoping to get some suggestions for a maths app or other online programme. Looked at Komodo, but that doesn't seem to do 'lessons' as such. I wonder if there is anything which gives them quick reminders re telling the time for eg. Thank you!!

IXL online isn't too bad. It doesn't 'teach', but if they get an answer wrong, it will explain how to get to the right answer - so effectively teaching.

You can try a few practice questions first I think.

My Y1 son is doing them at the moment, and for that age they have a little speaker so that he can play the question himself - gives him a huge boost to be able to do it independently.

It also gives certificates and 'bonuses' (little picture squares) as you progress.

Thanks very much for the suggestion. I'll take a look. Any others?

Have a look at:

www.conquermaths.com/home/

The lessons are organised by year group and you can access any year you want to, so you could recap reception work areas that are weaker as well as year 1 if you wanted. Each lesson has a short (not seen any longer than 5mins in reception, assume similarly short for year 1)9@

another vote for conquer maths. Its very good

Maths Factor and Maths Whizz both have lessons. Both are products you pay for though.

We've tried two:

Conquer Maths has an Australian chap that runs through lessons (only as a voice, no video of him, although there is a display like a white board where everything appears), then there's a series of questions to apply learning.

It also has tests for specific topic areas, both short and long tests (so you can check if a topic is secure or needs revision). It has a quick fire section for learning number bonds and times tables etc.

It goes all the way up to Year 13 (so covers reception, then KS 1-4 + years 12 and 13)! And it covers ALL maths topics, not just calculation. Certificates are provided to print out.

The down side is that although aligned to the UK curriculum it is the old one (I think), however year 6 has Roman numerals and long division, so they may have updated it. Not a huge problem because everything is quite clearly set out and accessible - you just find the lessons you want, click and go.

Maths Factor has video lessons with Carol Vorderman, it's slick and well organised, and follows a natural progression. It is quite slow and repetitive, however as a parent you can move your child to any lesson available. There are also certificates you can print out and marbles to earn. The mini games area is fantastic, with excellent games to reinforce all of the main calculation skills. There are other areas available that reinforce specific skills like times tables.
The grand genius test that DD completed, however, was a let down (DD felt disappointed) because it related only to the last module completed, rather than the whole series of modules she'd completed over time. We hopped over to Conquer Maths and she completed their test covering the same topic (fractions) and it was what she had been expecting - a test that covered all the fraction modules she'd recapped on Maths Factor.

The other main downside is the focus is very much calculation, so no time, symmetry etc.

Conquer Maths used to be much cheaper, although it now costs the same as Maths Factor, however as it seems to cover everything over the whole maths curriculum and has much better diagnostic tests, it is, imho, the better value option between the two.

HTH

Hi

Just to say mathsfactor has lesson videos at the start of each session with Carol Vorderman (Remember Countdown?) - who patiently and always cheerfully explains step by step how to perform calculations and little tricks (especially with times tables - which we found very helpful).

DDs have both used this to great success but you can see more about it here: www.themathsfactor.com/ and try a free sample lesson.

I wouldn't be afraid of trying out this or other on-line maths tutorials or including your child in this decision:

1. most of these will off free trials or sample lessons/ sessions
2. if your child likes the look of it they're more likely to use it.

HTH

Oops, sorry.

Each lesson has a short video that 'teaches' a small area. The student then completes a set of questions. You can print off results and a summary of the lesson. You can answer more questions on the topic then or at a later stage as you choose. Also, there are some diagnostic tests so you can see if it would be beneficial to concentrate on those topics in maths or not.

It's fairly simple but fun. I like it for the teaching and because it's quite clear to see where the student is stronger and what areas need more work. Other programmes seem to have more gimmicks (which some children may find more fun, of course...). You can sign up on a monthly basis too, so could be ideal for just the summer.

Do try out the free lessons. And if you enter your email address for more information, you should find out when there are discounts available too if you are interested.

Wow!! Thank you for the suggestions. I'm off to have a look at them.

Look at Khan Academy. It is produced by an American man (Indian origin) who produced videos to help his nieces and nephews with maths. Word spread and others started to watch the videos, which are very clear, focused on specific topics, short and easy to understand. He attracted a lot of attention and is now funded by Bill Gates and others. The website is free and has expanded to cover subjects other than maths. It is not geared to any particular curriculum. The videos are topic-based and progressive -- ie if you want help with fractions, you can start with a very basic fractions clip and then progress step-by-step with increasing complexity.
Perhaps not as glitzy as some of the other sites but the content is excellent.

Our infant school uses maths zone and junior school uses mathletics which is brilliant and infant school going on board with mathletics after summer!

+1 on Khan Academy. Like it, but maybe I'm old school. I prefer teaching maths by paper and pencil, by counting objects and thinking about it in real life.

I found my kid getting more done by paper/pencil than online. She does love the Khan Academy videos, but I use it to re-inforce concepts at the end than place one.

I love Khan Academy for sciences too.

I love Khan Academy. But it is aimed at a slightly older audience and some lessons can be a bit lacking in charisma and in-depth explanation of the type needed in Y1. I would say for young children it is best for reviewing learning that may have been only partially absorbed in class. Better for Y3 and up, I reckon. Brilliant resource and totally free.

I was going to ask a similar question so hope it is OK if I tag on to this thread. In particular, has anyone tried maths whizz and how would they rate it? I like the idea that it adapts the level of questions to how your child is doing and that it is across the curriculum rather than just the basic operations (like maths factor). Also the games and rewards look quite motivating. On the surface it looks good for my children but it is hugely expensive compared to the competition especially for two children. It would be for a yr 3 child who is doing well but sometimes lacks confidence. Also probably for a reception child who would feel left out otherwise!

At the primary school where I teach we use mathletics. If your child's school doesn't use it you can subscribe as a parent (if the school does use it then you should have been given a log-in already).

www.mathletics.co.uk/

Children can either work through activities for their year group, earning points and certificates or they can go on live mathletics and play against children around the world who happen to be online at the same time as them.
The live mathletics was really good for my dd - she was ok at maths anyway, but this really speeded up her mental maths.

Thanks that's very helpful cariadiet. No the school has Abacus Maths but it only allows us to do the activities that have been specifically assigned by the teacher unfortunately.
Does Mathletics let you move between year groups? E.g. if we want to consolidate some of the work they've done in yr 3 but then try out some of the yr4 material?

I too like Khan Academy, but having used it recently to help a child on KS1/KS2, I agree it could be better for this level. Certainly it is excellent for KS3 onwards. With dd now on A level it is indispensable and like having an MIT graduate to sit with you explaining the difficult bits.

I too am of the old fashioned book and paper to do maths.

Hi Tess,
If you have a mathletics username given by the school, then you can only do the activities opened up by the class teacher - although I think you can choose your level when playing live mathletics.
But if you buy a home subscription then as a parent it would probably be up to you to set the levels.