Showing posts with label multiplication. Show all posts
Showing posts with label multiplication. Show all posts

Friday, August 22, 2014

Math Practice Fun from UberSmart Math Facts (Schoolhouse Crew Review)

We received this for review purposes!

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Product Links: UberSmart Math Facts

Vendor Information Link: UberSmart Software

Age Appeal: Primarily for grades K-6, but great for any age that needs to practice

Format: Downloadable Software that works on Windows 7, 8, XP, and Vista (It can be used by eight or more students) 

Price: $24.95

Do your children need to learn their math facts or increase their speed?  UberSmart Math Facts might be what your family needs.  No longer will you need to find the flashcards, especially the ones that are missing, they are all right here on the computer.

This math program includes:

  • Dot Cards (like adding dominoes)
  • Keyboard Entry
  • Flashcards (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division)

Students will learn, practice and then test.  They will learn the facts one group at a time, like all the ones then all the twos.  If there are problems they are unable to do, there is a special function called focus so they can practice them until they learn them.   During tests they will be able to see the previous problem and the one coming up.  They can also skip the problem and come back to it.  When the students master the skills a certificate will be available to print.

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Our Experience: 

I am always looking for fun ways for B and C to practice their math facts.  I was excited for us to try UberSmart Math Facts.  We kept our practice to 10 minutes three times a week.  Since it is still summer time I thought that it was important for them to practice regularly, but not make it a chore.  Both of them were usually excited and willing to do their ten minutes.  It was only a problem when they became frustrated with trying to answer the problems.  Keeping it to the ten minutes helped to alleviate any negativity.

I have done some practicing on this program too.  I do it, because it is fun and I need to be able to answer math problems when B and C ask me.

This is a program that I plan on having B and C continue during the school year.

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Mama’s Thoughts:

  • The Math Facts PDF has a lot of good information.  I highly recommend that you glance through it before your family begins, because you can learn about all of the functions that you may not realize are there.
  • I thought the dot cards were hard.  My brain must not think that way.  I do know it would be good for some people.
  • I am glad that the number of problems to learn can be expanded, like being able to multiply up to 20x20.  It would be nice to include it up to 12 for addition and subtraction.  B and C still have problems solving those facts. 
  • I really liked the focus part and the encouragement it gave when the task was done.  I think one of the favorite parts of the program was that we could make the screen size larger.  It is really nice when the wallpaper and icons can be hidden from view.  It is much less distracting.
  • I love all of the different functions that can be done as the administrator.  I plan on printing reports for B and C when we are back with our printer.  I want them to have a copy of how well they are working and what they need to improve. 
  • I forgot what my password is, so I am glad I can go on the internet and change it.  As the administrator I need to be able to look at things and change it. 
  • I would like it there was a separate name and password for each person.  The kids have accidently worked on each other’s accounts.  It would be nice to keep them separate. 
  • I liked the keyboard entry feature.  It would have been nice if the program would teach the children how to use the number keys in the most efficient way.  I had to show them how to correctly do it. 
  • The program is more than just learning the problems it also includes really enforcing them and learning the ones that they miss.  That is most important when learning math facts.
  • I really liked looking at the all of the parts of the program.
  • I thought the price was excellent, because more than eight children can use the program with one license.

B’s Thoughts (boy, age 10, officially in fifth grade):   

I liked UberSmart Math Facts.  I liked that it had where you could learn, practice, and test.  I also liked that it had the report section.  I wish it had the option to login, because then you would definitely know you were doing it under your own name.  In the compete section it would be nice to do have addition separate from subtraction and multiplication separate from division.  It would be nice to have addition higher than nine.

It would be good for children my age.       

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C’s Thoughts (girl, age 8, officially in third grade):

It was fun doing UberSmart Math Facts.  I liked practicing my addition facts.  I mastered from the 0s to the 9’s.  Keyboard Entry was fun.  The Dot Cards were tricky.

It is good for people of all ages. 

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Dad’s Thoughts:

Dad was not available.   

Mama recommends!   

 
Crew Disclaimer

Monday, January 31, 2011

City Creek Press- Times Alive!

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Product: City Creek Press- Times Alive! CD Rom
Vendor Contact Information:
www.citycreek.com
City Creek Press, Inc.
PO Box 8415
Minneapolis, MN 55408
Phone- 1-800-585-6059
E-mail- info@citycreek.com
Age Appeal: elementary school, uses songs and cartoons which may not appeal to middle school students
Format: Instant download for Windows 98 SE and newer (link here for Windows requirements) also for Mac OS 8.6 or higher or OS X (link here for Mac requirements)
Price: $44.95

Times Alive! A fun way for your kids to learn their multiplication facts, 0's-9's.

The kids will have fun
  • watching the movie!
  • hearing the song!
  • playing the game!
  • acing the test!

Please go here to see the 6x6 video!

Our Experience:
B was very excited when I downloaded Times Alive! He started right away with the pre-test and he was o.k. that he wasn't able to answer the questions very well as he knew he would be able to do it at the Nuts and Bolts Test (post-test). The first day we listened to the first two lessons, “Zero is the King” and “The Lonely Ones.” Each school day since then B has worked on learning his multiplication facts and having fun at it. We go over the lessons and the tests and post test show exactly which lessons we need to review so he knows his multiplication perfectly. C has had fun watching and learning as well. She has had some difficulties as she confuses multiplication with addition, but that is only temporary for her as she will soon learn the difference between addition and multiplication.

What I Liked:
  • The excitement of the kids!
  • The easiest lessons were first, so B felt confident, as was evident when he reached the x9's (lesson 15), which was harder for him.
  • The catchy songs, which helped B remember the facts weeks later.
  • The tests can be printed out and used later.

What I Disliked:
  • The lesson on 3x4 with the cheer leading was not as catchy as some of the other songs.
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What B (boy, recently turned seven, officially first grade) Liked and Disliked:
I loved Times Alive! My favorite lesson included “Black Lagoon” (3x8=24). The movies didn't really tell what the answer was, but the songs did. I could remember the multiplication facts based on the songs, not the movies. I could remember 7x6 from the movie and song.

I liked it because you learn multiplication and I have really been wanting to. For example, 11x3=33. I just really like multiplication.

I think it is great for kids my age.

What C (girl, recently turned five, working on kindergarten) Liked and Disliked:
I liked everything. And the best part was the three blind mice (3x3). I liked the warning, “This program is only for kids who want to have fun!” Maybe kids my age would like it, just maybe.


Other Products Available: Addition the fun Way! and Story Problems the Fun Way! in book form(the story), CD (songs) and flash cards. There are also Subtraction Cards.

I would definitely recommend the Times Alive! Multiplication CD ROM.
For more reviews on Times Alive! go to The Homeschool Crew review page.

Disclaimer: I received this product for free for review purposes through The Homeschool Crew. All links were current when posted.