TOS Crew: CapJaxMathFax

I love for the kids to have different ways to practice their math facts, and computer games are one of their favorite ways to do that.  So, when we were offered the opportunity to review the CapJaxMathFax game we were all over it! 

CapJaxMathFax is a learning game that allows children to learn their math facts from the beginning all the way to mastery!

Here's what I liked about the program:

• This program is suitable for children as young as kindergarten all the way up to adults. 
• CapJax allows the student to work on addition, subtraction, multiplication, division or any combination of them at once.
• The students progress is recorded and their skill level is automatically set accordingly.
• The children like the positive feedback after getting a correct answer.
• They also like that they can earn merit badges!
• Progress and scores are kept for each child so I know where they are and what they need to work on.
• They like being timed so that they can beat their last score.
• I like that this is a one time purchase. 
• I like that it is affordable.  It's only $29.95 to download the CapJaxMathFax.  This purchase covers up to 10 users.
• It is a math drill that all the kids can use. 

I do think that this is a good program to learn and practice math facts, and I would recommend it.  It's affordable, it keeps track of the students progress and it gets the job done! 

I would say that it is best suited for children that like are motivated by beating the time, high scores, and word of praise.  If you are looking for something with a lot of cutesy characters and fluff this might not be the best choice. 

You can purchase the CapJaxMathFax game as a Computer Download for $29.95 or on a CD with a Download Licenece for $35.90 plus shipping.

Check out what others on the TOS Crew think about CapJaxMathFax!

Disclaimer: As a member of the TOS Crew, I received this product, at no cost to me, in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are mine

TOS Crew: K5 Learning

Through the TOS Crew we were able to review an online program called K5 Learning.  K5 Learning is a personalized online Reading and Math Enrichment program for children in grades K - 5th grade. 

We were given a 2 month online subscription to K5 Learning to give the program a whirl.  I had my 3 oldest children (grades K, 3rd & 6th) try it out. 

From what they did with the program I don't think that anyone disliked it.  I think they would all agree it was ok and liked it.

The child that actually used it the most was the Lil' Chef (6th grade).  I had definitely wanted her to try it out to give me her opinion but she actually ended up using it a bit for math, due to a technical snag with her regular math program.  The Lil' Chef did end up saying that she did like it and it was fun.  She mostly worked on mastering the rest of her multiplication facts and some fractions.

Here are 4 Programs the K5 Learning Program offers, as explained on their website:

• K5 Math is an award-winning program which builds self confidence and a deep understanding of math concepts. K5 Math covers numbers and operations, geometry, measurement (including time and money), algebraic thinking and data analysis.
• K5 Math Facts uses adaptive technology to help kids develop instant recall of basic addition, subtraction, multiplication and division facts. Progress on each and every math fact is monitored until mastery is obtained.
• K5 Reading helps kids become strong readers and develop a love of reading. This award-winning program covers phonemic awareness, phonics, sight words, vocabulary and reading comprehension.
• K5 Spelling is an advanced vocabulary program which improves language skills one word at a time. We feature adaptive instruction, automatic word generation, an optimized visual interface, and a 150,000+ word database

K5 Learning offers two different pricing plans:

• Monthly Subscription - $25.00 for the 1st Child, $15.00 for Each Additional Child
• Yearly Subscription - $199.00 for the 1st Child, $129.00 for Each Additional Child

K5 Learning would be good for a supplemental reading and math program like for a struggling learner or, as their website says, as an online after school study program.  My only concern is the price, especially for families on a budget. 

If you think this program is just the thing for your children but you are on the fence  K5 Learning would like to offer yo a 14 day Free Trial.  So you cann try before you buy!  Included in the free trial your child will receive a free assessment in 8 core reading and math skills. 

We received a free 2 month trial of K5 Learning for review purposes only.  The opinions stated here are my own and I was not compensated in anyway.

TOS Crew: Reading Eggs

 

We were given the opportunity to try out an online reading program called Reading Eggs for the TOS Crew.  Reading Eggs was created by a team of educational teachers, writers and developers.  It is a phonetic based program, that also teaches sight words.  The lessons are taught through games, animation, song and golden eggs.

So far, Reading Eggs has about 100 Phonetic Lessons that are geared toward pre-readers aged 4-7.  Reading Eggs is also creating new lessons for their older users in the 6-8 year range, these lessons will include reading, writing, comprehension as well as spelling.

Reading Eggs is available online through subscription.  There are 3 Subscription Choices available:
Month to Month - $9.95
6 Month Subscription - $49.95
12 Months Subscription - $75.00

The subscription prices are per child.  If you purchase either the 6 or 12 month subscriptions your 2nd or 3rd child can get a 50% Family Discount. 

Ok, now you are probably wondering what we thought of Reading Eggs.  Well, to be honest, I really hoped that my boys (3 &5) would dig this program.  It is cute, it is colorful, it looked like oodles of fun AND on top of all of this it taught phonics.  What's not to love right?  For some reason my 5 year old kindergartner did not like this program and he normally loves computer games.  He currently plays another phonics game online like every day.  I just couldn't get him to really play Reading Eggs.  did have him give it another try today just to see if maybe something had changed.  I gave the game a break and them got him to try it again.  At first he was really into the game and then he seemed to get a little frustrated, the game had him repeat several things over and over.  These were not things that he previously answered wrong, I don't really know what had happened.


I feel like Reading Eggs is very repetitious, especially in the beginning, which I totally understand.  My son on the other hand, not so much.  I think that his first impression was that the game was a little boring.  In all fairness, I think he would have enjoyed it more if he would have stuck with it and got to another level.  He was so unhappy with it though that I didn't push it.

My 3 year old on the other hand loved it.  I sat with him a few times and we played.  He would probably sit and play Reading Eggs all day long if I let him.  He didn't mind the repetition one little bit.  He also loved the Ant character that taught the letters.

I did think that this was a cute program, and could be helpful as a supplemental thing.  I am not sure at this point that I would use it as my sole phonics curriculum, but it may be perfect for another family. 

If you would like to give Reading Eggs a try, they offer a trial version. 


We received a free trial of Reading Eggs for review purposes only.  The opinions expressed are my own.

TOS Crew: Math Rider

We love us a good math facts game, especially one of the computer variety!  That is exactly what Math Rider is, a computer oriented math facts game.  BUT there is more....  Math Rider is a fun math game for kids that allows them to practice their addition, subtraction, multiplication and division facts while not being bored to death in the process! 

My girls really truly loved this game from day one.  I do not have to even say "go do your math drills," because usually they have already done them. 

 My oldest daughter, The Lil' Chef, really likes the idea of being timed.  She likes that Math Rider times her and keeps score for her, so that she can try to beat those scores the next time she plays.  She also likes that Math Rider shows her progress in mastery.  She likes to know that she has mastered 86% of her multiplication problems and 84% of her division.  This is helpful for mom to know too!  ; )

My younger daughter, Computer Girl, likes that Math Rider is cute, colorful and revolves around a story.  Computer Girl enjoys riding through the Land of Ray {as she completes her math facts} with her trusty horse Shadow in a race to rescue the Princess Fairblossom from the evil king!  She likes that she can see how far she has to go to reach the castle {master her facts}. 

As Mom, I like that they are enjoying Math Rider as well as learning their facts {WHOO HOO!} I really LOVE how Math Rider keeps track of all the statics for me.  Every so often I can check in to see what facts the girls have mastered, what facts they most struggle with as well as see their learning progression since they started.  These are all nice things that Math Rider does for busy moms like me. 

On the more technical side of Math Rider, is was created with gaming intelligence.  The Math Rider explains it better than me...

"While the rider is playing, the game learns what the rider knows and what he or she still needs to practice. Every single response (or non-response) is stored in an internal database and statistically analysed by the software. In this way the program is able to custom-tailor to each rider, which questions are asked next. No repetitive drilling of random number facts the rider already knows – but real practice of what actually needs to be practiced!"

 

Math Rider would be great to incorporate into your homeschooling as a math drill game or even for non homeschoolers who's children just need to brush up on their math facts!  Either way, my recommendation is for you to burn, bury or giveaway your flashcards and get Math Rider! You will not be disappointed! {and neither will your kids}

Math Rider is available for instant download for $47.00 but is on SALE for $37.00 up until February 15, 2012.  There is a 30 day money back guarantee if for some reason you are not satisfied. 

If you are still convinced that Math Rider would work for your kiddos please feel to check out their 7 Day Free Trial!

Please check out what others on the TOS Crew are saying about Math Rider!

We were given a trial version of Math Rider to try out for review purposes only.  I was not paid in any way for my opinions, they are indeed mine.

TOS Crew: Always Icecream Review

 

The TOS Crew asked us if we would be interested in reviewing a learning website called Always Icecream and my girls were so glad that I said yes! 

Always Icecream is a fun and educational website where girls can learn and be creative!  Over the last few weeks the girls have enjoyed playing games that have helped them learn about human anatomy, math facts, geography (USA  and Europe), dog breeds and Bible verses.

They have also enjoyed all the fun that they get to have creating their own people and rooms in the Mini World part of Alway Icecream.  This is the area where they really get to create and have a great time!  Computer Girl told me that this is her favorite thing about Always Icecream.  Oh, and believe it or not she really likes playing the math facts games (which her mama really likes too!) 

On Always Icecream, girls (and I keep saying girls because it really is geared toward girls) can invite there friends to play and chat with them too.  My girls have not done this but it is an option.  I appreciate that they have it moderated. 

Girls can also watch some pretty cool learning videos.  For instance one video taught us how to make baby shower cupcakes (too cute!), one showed us how to teach a dog to sit and another one taught us the origin of ice cream cones. 

Another fun thing about the Always Icecream site it that the kids get to earn ice cream "scoops," by watching the videos and playing the games.  They can then use these "scoops" in the Mini World to buy things for their rooms.  The kids of course LOVE THIS!! 

Always Icecream is geared toward girls ages 7-12.  My girls are 8 and 10 (almost 11 as she says) and they both enjoyed this website.  The cost is $4.99 per month, $29.99 for a year or $99.99 for a life-time membership.  Personally, I would try it for a month or two before deciding on a life-time membership. 

Your kids can even try it for FREE to see if they like it before purchasing.

We were given a subscription to Always Icecream free of charge for review purposes only.  The opinions expressed here are my own and we were not compensated in any way. 



TOS Crew: Wordy Querty

The year is coming to a close for us, so it was nice to take a break from our regular spelling lessons to try out Wordy Querty for the TOS Crew.

Wordy Querty is an online computer program that teaches spelling and reading.  It was created by Talking Fingers, the same folks that created Read, Write and Type.  Wordy Querty is actually the sequel to Read, Write and Type, but can be used on it's own.  Wordy Querty was created to take children to the next level, after learning how to read, write and type new words in the first program, Wordy Querty teaches them how to spell them correctly.

Wordy Querty is intended for children in 2nd to 3rd grade.  The purpose of Word Querty is to improve phonetic skills and help children learn how words are constructed, which actually helps them when they are reading and writing.

The Wordy Qwerty program has 20 lessons, with six activities per lesson.  According to the Talking Fingers website, the following foundations are taught with in the program:

1. Some sounds can be represented in several different ways.
2. Most words follow about 20 easy spelling rules.
3. There are many word families, (words that sound the same, or rhyme). By changing the first letter(s), you can make hundreds of words.
4. Some words are "outlaws". They don't follow the rules. They must be recognized quickly and automatically.
5. Writing to dictation develops vocabulary, comprehension and fluency as well as spelling skills.
6. Reading (and filling in missing words) develops vocabulary, comprehension, and fluency skills.

 The 20 lessons in Wordy Querty teach the following Spelling Rules:

1. Silent E
2. Sounds of C
3. Sounds of G
4. J or DGE
5. W or WH
6. C or K
7. CK or K
8. CKS or X
9. CH or TCH
10. LL, SS, FF, ZZ
11. OI or OY
12. VE Words

13. Open Syllables
14. Double Consonants
15. Doubling rule
16. ER, IR, OR, UR, EAR
17. I Before E
18. Plurals: Add ES
19. Plurals: Y to IES
20. Plurals: F to VES

I thought that hte program was pretty impressive.  I had Computer Girl (2nd grade/7 yrs old) using the Wordy Querty, and she really enjoyed it.  One thing that I thought was pretty funny was that with Wordy Querty and Read, Write and Type the Lil' Chef wanted to get in on the action.  She enjoyed playing the games just as much as Computer Girl.  I thought it was a great idea because it was kinda like a refresher course for the spelling rules that she has already learned.

We have enjoyed both programs and I do recommend them.  I can't at this point say that I would rely solely on these programs for phonics and spelling BUT they definitely make WONDERFUL supplements.

Let me tell you how you can get Wordy Querty and Read, Write and Type for your very own.  You have a few options that you can choose from.
-  You can purchase a 5 year Online Home Subscription for up to five users, the price ranges from $25.00 to $100.  
- The second option is to purchase the CD editions.  Read, Write and Type costs $79.00 and Wordy Querty costs $35.00.
- The last option, which I think is the most economical, is the K-4 Reading Bundle for $99.00.  Here is what is included:

• 1 READ, WRITE & TYPE program CD
• 1 SPACESHIP CHALLENGE program CD
• 1 WORDY QWERTY program CD
• 1 JINGLESPELLS audio CD
• 1 Activity Binder
• 1 set of Reward Stickers
• 1 Practice Keyboard
• One 24" x 36" Poster

Please take a minute to check out what others on the TOS Crew are saying about Wordy Querty HERE.  

We were given an online subscription to the Wordy Querty program at no cost to us.  Please know that we were not influenced by the free product and that the opinions stated here are my own.