Vintage81 Posted April 22, 2016 Share Posted April 22, 2016 My daughters are currently in Kindergarten and 2nd grade. They both do well in math, although it's definitely not my 2nd graders favorite. I'm still trying to plan out next year's curriculum and I was wondering if I should include some sort of math drills. I was leaning towards Calculadders, but that's not set in stone. I'd really like something for iPad, but I honestly haven't searched too much for apps. Are math drills worth doing? If so, what would you recommend? I'd like to stay away from worksheets with a million problems on them because I know I'd be met with resistance. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nannyaunt Posted April 22, 2016 Share Posted April 22, 2016 we use flash cards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bethben Posted April 22, 2016 Share Posted April 22, 2016 Flashmaster - It's a handheld device but well worth it. I'm using it on child #3 now and so far, all of them have good math fact recall. It's not fun and not a game, but it does flashcards for me so I don't have to sit there and do it. I know it's crazy expensive for what it is, but it's been used daily when school is in session for 3 kids and 11 years of use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UCF612 Posted April 22, 2016 Share Posted April 22, 2016 We've dabbled in Xtra Math and Khan Academy for more drill work or math practice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Targhee Posted April 22, 2016 Share Posted April 22, 2016 No, we don't drill. Knowing math facts is important. But for some learners drilling is not effective. I love what it says in the RughtStart teacher book about the only people who like flash cards are the ones who don't need them. We teach conceptual math and lots of mental strategies. We then get facility with the facts by using them in meaningful problem solving. We also play games. My kids get a multiplication chart to use at their discretion. They eventually have looked things up and used the facts so much the just stop using the chart. I know that strategy isn't for everyone, and drill is actually better for some. I just wanted to testify that there's more than one way to get the job done. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calihil Posted April 23, 2016 Share Posted April 23, 2016 Xtramath.org has really helped my 1st grader with her addition and subtraction facts this year. She likes to race the teacher. :) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobbes Posted April 23, 2016 Share Posted April 23, 2016 We use Calculadders and have found them simple to implement and effective. I've been impressed by my daughter's increased addition speed and accuracy and she doesn't mind doing them... it's quick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sweetpea3829 Posted April 23, 2016 Share Posted April 23, 2016 We were using an app on our Kindle...I think it was called Card Facts or something like that. But we've recently switched to Prodigy Math for all math review including fact practice. There's an iPad app for it, but it's also available through Google browser on Android devices, or you can access it directly on any computer/laptop. I love it because it's highly customizable. Almost all concepts I might want my kids to review...are on there, and I can assign them to the kids. The kids love it because it's an interactive role playing game. It's linked in my sig! Check it out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mama25angels Posted April 23, 2016 Share Posted April 23, 2016 We use a plethora of things: Code Squad (ipad app) math shark Calculadders (when I remember to make copies) flash cards Verbal math lessons books IXL Math my plan is to try Prodigy math over the summer . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
letsplaymath Posted April 23, 2016 Share Posted April 23, 2016 We tried Calculadder and other math drills, but my kids always hated anything that was timed. They felt stressed out trying to reach the time goal, and it was making them hate math. We replaced drill-type practice with math games, and it made a huge difference. I've shared a dozen or more of these games on my blog: Math games at Let's Play Math blog 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Twain Posted April 23, 2016 Share Posted April 23, 2016 Flashcards Also Horizons math has speed test worksheets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momto6inIN Posted April 23, 2016 Share Posted April 23, 2016 Another vote for XtraMath. DD likes it and she's made lots of progress in addition facts this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zarabellesmom Posted April 24, 2016 Share Posted April 24, 2016 Reflex Math on the computer and iPad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vintage81 Posted April 24, 2016 Author Share Posted April 24, 2016 Thank you for all of the replies! You've given me a lot of food for thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jens2sons Posted April 24, 2016 Share Posted April 24, 2016 We use Flashmaster. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kristin0713 Posted April 25, 2016 Share Posted April 25, 2016 We have been using worksheets that I copy from books and print out from superkidsmath, but this week I'm going to give Timez Attack a try. My DD is finishing fourth grade and still not solid in all her multiplication facts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swainsonshawk Posted April 25, 2016 Share Posted April 25, 2016 We're using rocketmath.com this year! The kids in the neighborhood use it at the local public school and I checked it out. I love it! All my kids practice and drill at the same time and to their individual goals. We're drilling addition, multiplication, multiplication and division all at the same time. Plus it's almost hands free for me! Anything I can do to get less off my plate so that I can focus on other subjects is great! We've tried flashcards, calculadder, timez attack, flashmaster, xtramath. . . this is hands down my favorite find of the year! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CelticHaiku Posted April 25, 2016 Share Posted April 25, 2016 Math wrap ups can be fun because they are tactile without being a bunch of little pieces everywhere. Something hand held and independent is always nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lang Syne Boardie Posted April 25, 2016 Share Posted April 25, 2016 (edited) Different children have needed different strategies here. I've used.... -a simple flashcard app for the iPad - addition, subtraction, multiplication, division -skip counting and filling out blank multiplication tables -using Ray's Intellectual Arithmetic for oral drills -giving more practice with word problems that reinforce facts -playing games such as Maria Miller's "last math card game you'll ever need" and yahtzee I agree with Targhee that it can be important to figure out how a particular student needs to learn. You can waste a lot of time on flashcard styles, and cause a lot of needless frustration, if that's just not how their mind works. On the other hand, if that is what they need, then you need to make the time for the drills. Edited April 25, 2016 by Tibbie Dunbar 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vintage81 Posted April 25, 2016 Author Share Posted April 25, 2016 No, we don't drill. Knowing math facts is important. But for some learners drilling is not effective. I love what it says in the RughtStart teacher book about the only people who like flash cards are the ones who don't need them. We teach conceptual math and lots of mental strategies. We then get facility with the facts by using them in meaningful problem solving. We also play games. My kids get a multiplication chart to use at their discretion. They eventually have looked things up and used the facts so much the just stop using the chart. I know that strategy isn't for everyone, and drill is actually better for some. I just wanted to testify that there's more than one way to get the job done. Different children have needed different strategies here. I've used.... -a simple flashcard app for the iPad - addition, subtraction, multiplication, division -skip counting and filling out blank multiplication tables -using Ray's Intellectual Arithmetic for oral drills -giving more practice with word problems that reinforce facts -playing games such as Maria Miller's "last math card game you'll ever need" and yahtzee I agree with Targhee that it can be important to figure out how a particular student needs to learn. You can waste a lot of time on flashcard styles, and cause a lot of needless frustration, if that's just not how their mind works. On the other hand, if that is what they need, then you need to make the time for the drills. I definitely plan on taking some time over our summer break to figure out what might work best for each of them. I agree that what might work for one may not work for the other, so there's probably going to be some trial and error. I'm not too concerned about my kindergartner yet, since she's only just starting basic addition and subtraction. With my 2nd grader, I never even thought about doing drills or any additional math facts practice beyond the math curriculum we're using (Math in Focus 2A/2B). Her biggest struggle is with word problems, so I'm hoping by implementing one (or more) of these ideas will help with that. Thanks again for all of your thoughts and ideas! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SporkUK Posted April 25, 2016 Share Posted April 25, 2016 We use Math Trainer as the kids enjoy seeing their score, I can see what areas they need more practice, and it's free online. I've been debating getting Quarter Mile Math because it includes decimals and fractions and percents as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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