So, just about anytime I get a chance to have the kids try a new math program, I jump on it.
This time around, A-man got to try an on-line program called A+ Tutorsoft, Inc., Inc..
There is also a physical CD product.....
......or a homeschool, on-line version.....called, A+ Interactive Math, which is what we used.
It is billed as multi-sensory interactive math and has courses for grades 1-6, plus Pre-Algebra and Algebra. We used the 3rd grade level, even though A-man is in 2nd grade this year. We took the placement test and it looked like he could handle some of the 3rd grade stuff.
What We Liked:
It is a pretty detailed program. It really covers everything and even some stuff that I was surprised was included in a program for 3rd graders. It highlights the numbers or the things to really pay attention to as things are added to the screen, sort of like a Power Point Presentation as bullet points get added.
I like that sometimes the way the problems were presented, really made him think......
Like, asking them how you got to a number like 874.
Then giving them multiple choice options, where the answers weren't just the standard 800 + 70 + 4 or 8 hundreds, 7 tens, and 4 ones. But, you had a choice that said 7 hundreds, 17 tens and 4 ones....or 7 hundreds 14 tens and 7 ones. See? You have to think and really know place values.
I also liked that there were worksheets available to complete on-line or for you to print out. Actually,
I liked the whole printable section that included worksheets, tests, and the reference pages that show place values (whole numbers and decimals), measurements, angles, shapes, time conversion charts, etc.
In the e-book section, they have the answer keys for all the worksheets and tests. (Again, whenever I don't have to think, I choose not to.)
With A+ Tutorsoft being available on-line, that would definitely come in handy if you were traveling or even just at dentist appointments for the family. Easy to access and follow along with the lesson from wherever you happen to be.
Depending on your child, they may be able to complete the work without you constantly sitting at their side. The on-line access comes with a parent page where you can check their progress on the worksheets and tests.
What We Didn't Like:
Not that I am into all the bells and whistles and cartoon characters, but the teaching portion of the program was a little dry, and didn't seem to be suited for a young child. The teaching portion was very "college professor giving a lecture"-like. A-man didn't like the teacher's voice and sometimes the sound seemed a bit muffled. There is a monkey that climbs across a rope at the end of the lessons telling the kids they did a great job though, and there are more bells and whistles and fun kid stuff in the Interactive Q&A sections though.
(Working on the Interactive Q&A section.)
I didn't like the busy look of the page, but that didn't seem to bother A-man.
The program had tutorials to watch to help figure out how the program worked and where to click, which helped us figure out how to navigate, but even with that, we were wondering if we had done things correctly and clicked the right buttons for his work to count and be tracked.
We ended up printing off the lesson plan and just marking things off when we finished them, because you could log into the program and start wherever you wanted.
This program just wasn't a good fit for A-man, but I suspect that it would have been for D-man at this age. It is just a different presentation style that he didn't respond to. It is a really detailed math curriculum that could easily stand on its own.
How to Try it For Yourself:
You could try program with the physical CD version, but, the on-line version gives you the most features, including automatically grading the student's work. You can also choose between standard and premium versions. The premium editions come with the added features of being able to track student progress, set academic start dates, and hide/unhide solution guides. Here is a table that compares the different products and features of each product.
A+ Tutor Soft is generously offering a coupon code for my readers to give this program a try! You can get 50% OFF through the end of MARCH. The coupon code is: SPOFFER50
You can get a full year of access to A+ Tutorsoft on-line at a regular price of $124.99 (but remember you can get 50% off through the end of March). You can also pay quarterly for $49.99 or monthly at $19.99. Lots of payment options. The grade level CDs cost $99.99 per grade for the standard edition or $124.99 for the premium edition.
Still not sure, even with the 50% discount? Try a free trial of A+ Tutor Soft Interactive Math.
The TOS Review Crew tried out both the physical CD version and the on-line version in different grade levels. Check out what they had to say.
Disclaimer: I received free on-line access to this product through the Schoolhouse 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. All opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC.
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