MathandAlgebra.com Review

 

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.

It is not a secret that I do not like teaching math to my kids.  So I was very excited to get a chance to try a new to us online math program, MathandAlgebra.com  What a great program to use for core subject instruction, or just as a refresher for students who are struggling!

Math can be a subject that is touchy to teach.  I struggle sometimes to remember all the steps that I learned in school.  But with MathandAlgebra.com, the steps needed to learn are done for me.  This video-based instruction program makes it so easy to teach upper level math.  Mathandalgebra.com is set up for instruction with levels of basic math through algebra.  

The program is extremely user friendly.  Each family has a parent login, and parents then input their students to have their own logins.  Inside of the parent account, then parents can track their student's progress.

Each lesson has a video lesson, downloadable worksheet to use after watching the video explain the steps and processes for solving the math problem.  Depending on the topics, roughly every 7-10 lessons there is an online quiz also.  Do not despair though, the downloadable worksheet also has an answer key.  So even if you are struggling keeping up with your child, you have the answers to check your student's work.

The video lessons are very well put together.  The length varies between 10-18 minutes.  I was worried about strange computer voices, which annoy Caty.  But it worked out real well for her.  We were able to start and stop each lesson as needed.  She could re-watch sections of the videos also.  This truly helped Caty.

I will be honest, we were using another math program when we began this review for MathandAlgebra.com.  At first we started out just watching the videos to help her understand topics that she was struggling with in her other program.  But I soon realized how well MathandAlgebra.com is truly laid out as a full math curriculum.  This is a very budget friendly option for families with multiple children.

The materials is laid out for students to work to mastery.  They can easily re-watch and work through problems again as the student is doing the work.  This is a great benefit for using MathandAlgebra.com.

I was on the fence in the beginning whether or not I would be steered away from the math program that we have used for many years.  This video based education style seemed to be working real well for Caty and her learning style.  So we will continue to use this program as we take a break from her current program, and work on the previous Basic Math areas that she struggles with. I can really see the benefit of using MathandAlgebra.com for students who are struggling in math or have learning delays.  I will continue to use this program with Caty and also with Lydia as supplemental to areas where she is struggling.

Several members of the Homeschool Review Crew had the opportunity to review MathandAlgebra.com in their homes.  Click on the link below to see how they used this program in their homes and how they feel about it.

CTC Math Review

Product:  CTC Math - 12 month Family Plan

Age Range:  K - Grade 12

Cost:  On Sale - $118.80 for 2 or more students (Regular Price $297.00)

I am very nervous about teaching math.  It's not the add 1 and 2 and get 3 problems.  It's the more advanced stuff.  Some days it's really hard though working with the simple addition.  It's usually days where the kids want me to be mom and not their teacher.  But those same days are the ones that I feel like we are not getting enough schoolwork done. 

I have been looking for a little extra help in math.  So I was very excited to get the opportunity to try CTC Math.  CTC Math is a online math program that provides extra help for students who may be struggling in various areas of math.  

CTC Math offers video instruction which can be repeated as often as a student needs.  To go along with each lesson, there are quizzes to reinforce and provide practice in the skills that your student needs extra help in.  

CTC Math provides:

• Almost 1,400 math videos and interactive lessons
• 57,000 interactive questions
• Diagnostic tests
• Instant feedback for both parents and students
• Help with higher level math such as algebra, trigonometry and calculus
• Math lessons are available for students in levels from kindergarten through high school

CTC Math can be used as a supplement or as your math curriculum.  It allows students to work at a pace that encourages them to master a skill, not just learn it.  The videos are short and yet full of information that helps those with short attention spans.

We have been using the 12 month Family Plan for a few weeks now.  The Family Plan allows up to 5 students in one family to use CTC Math at their own level.  So we started using CTC Math right away.

At first I thought of just using it as a supplemental material to go with what the kids are already using.  But I really like the video instructions for each lesson.  They are not flashy or full of cartoon characters, so they are not distracting.  They explained the topics well.  So we have gradually started using CTC Math as more of our Core and we use games now to supplement the topics we are working on.

Caty is working at the Kindergarten level currently.  The lessons are not lengthy.  The videos for her level last roughly 2 - 5 minutes.  Depending on how well she grasps the new concept, we continue on to the questions.  If I think she needs a little more work on the topic, we will play a game or practice using a whiteboard.  The next lesson, we'll watch the same video again.  If she is ready, we move on to answer the questions.  The look on her face when she sees her score just makes me smile every time.  She gets so excited.  

Lydia is actually doing to reinforcement exercises as we prep into third grade math.  I noticed that she was missing a few facts in her math memory, so we are doing some lessons in both first and second grade level to reinforce skills she may have missed or was struggling with.  So we are using CTC Math as her curriculum right now.  She watches the videos, which are roughly 3 - 5 minutes each.  Then answers the questions provided.  Lydia is very much driven by seeing high scores and those green checks that she got the answers right.  The instant feedback is such a wonderful feature for her.  She is so proud and I have to print off her certificates right away!

Joey is my struggling math child.  CTC Math has been helping him as I took him back to basic concepts that he is still struggling to grasp.  These past few weeks have provided him with more confidence.  He will always struggle with math, but the videos have really helped him.  The length of the material is not overwhelming.  He can easily navigate the website without help.  Most of the questions are read to him.  I do wish a few more were read to the students or an option given to them to have the questions read to them.  Joey would have really benefitted from this as he has a reading comprehension delay.

We have been using CTC Math for a few weeks now, and we will continue to use the program.  I am going to keep using the program as Caty's primary math program.  She enjoys the videos and I know that she is covering topics that she needs to be doing at this level.  This level also allows us to incorporate puzzles and games to reinforce the videos that she is watching.  For Lydia we are going to continue doing our review schedule that I have set up so she is on track for 3rd grade math.  Joey we will continue following the schedule I have set up for him to follow to continue to give him confidence in completing his math assignments.

I know that the price seems a little high, but when I sit down and figure how much I spend on textbooks and other curriculum sources for math, I can justify it since I can have all the kids on one program.  I am easily able to make a list of lessons that I want them to complete.  I like that I can print the quizzes for their portfolios, and can print the certificates they earn to hang them up to show off the kid's accomplishments.  CTC Math is easy for the kids to navigate on their own.  Even with her trouble reading, Lydia has been able to finish quite a few lessons almost completely on her own.  That means her confidence is boosted even more!

I am going to mention one more of my favorite things about CTC Math.  The simple videos.  My kids like playing math games online.  But sometimes the flashier the program, the less they learn.  The videos on CTC Math are simple and to the point.  They give a good explanation.  I found one or two videos that confused Joey just a bit, but after watching them a couple times he was able to grasp the basic concept.  

We are going to continue using CTC Math for all the kids.  The ease of use for myself in helping the kids with their math education is priceless.  We are definitely at a busy spot in our lives where CTC Math came in at the right time and is able to help our family.  Here are some links to a few lessons so that you can see how the lessons are presented and how material is covered.....

Several other families from the TOS Review Crew had the opportunity to try out CTC Math.  Be sure the visit the Schoolhouse Review Crew blog to see how CTC Math worked for their families.