First Month of Mathletics

Zack has been using Mathletics for nearly a month now.  I wanted to give it a long trial before I reported back since I know how he typically reacts to any new curriculum/website/software:  

Day One:  Oh my gosh, Mom, this is the most fun ever, I love it, it’s perfect!  

End of Week One:  Well, it’s okay. I kind of miss (whatever program we’d been using before), to be honest.  

End of Month One:  Ugh, I’m so bored with (new program).  Do I have to use it again?  Can’t I just skip it this time?

Some people enjoy working with numbers.  Some people don’t.  Some people understand the brilliant and complex patterns of mathematics while others see abstract numbers that they cannot bend to their wills.  I’m not a mathy person, nor is my son.  So, I don’t expect the math curriculum we use to be exciting or fun. All I ask from a curriculum is that my son gain a basic understanding of math concepts, that he retain the information, is able to recall it and use it when necessary and it doesn’t make him cry/tear out his hair/shout about how stupid he is in the process.

I won’t fib, the shine has worn off of Mathletics.  Math is no longer the first subject he asks to tackle in the morning, which is true to his pattern when using other math programs.  But to my surprise, he’s still enjoying Mathletics.  He logs in every homeschool day and works for anywhere from 20 to 30 minutes.  He’s even started asking careful questions about how much Mathletics costs and if we have enough in our homeschool budget to subscribe.  (Answers: “$49 for a year of access with a special promo code***,” and “Just barely.”)  

He enjoys seeing the progress he’s made each week.  He most certainly doesn’t want to lose the gold bars and certificates he's earned to date.  However, on the pragmatic end, I'm trying to justify $49 out of our homeschool budget for what largely amounts to a math practice site. (There are lessons on the site, buy my son has found them frustrating and confusing to use.) Mathletics is flashy and engaging but it's not the only practice site out there, even if it is the most widely used.  I've not seen such significant progress in my son's math abilities that I'm ready to cough up a little over $4 a month for it, but it's still early days.  

When I asked him what he thought about Mathletics, he first mentioned that the “creepy walking robot guy with a smoking butt” bothers him, and he always minimizes that sidebar when working in the program.  Then it turned out he had a lot more to say, so I'll let him say it:


"When I was in school, I used the Saxon math program. I had a very low opinion of it – not only was it boring, it was rather long and drawn out.  When I first started homeschooling  I thought I wasn’t very good at math, but it is getting much better. Math exercises your brain. It’s sort of like doing a brain workout.  And the feeling you get when you do well at math? Amazing.  Once I’m old enough for a job, I figure math is going to play a big part of it. I try to study hard with math now so I can become good at math for jobs."

"Since we’ve been homeschooling, I can remember most of the math programs we’ve used pretty clearly. ALEKS had the creepy dog, IXL had the lame prizes, Teaching Textbook had the voices. Math Mammoth is my favorite because it really makes me think, and the questions are almost fun.  Reflex was my least favorite . At first I enjoyed it. One week later, when I was stuck with the same six or seven games and a slow picture puzzle I was forced to do,  it lost all of its appeal."

"At first I was really confused with the interface of Mathletics. I had no idea how to get to the lessons, but once I got that down, I really enjoyed it. It is still a great program now that I’ve been using it a while! I enjoy doing Live Mathletics along with some of the lessons. They’re all challenging and very rewarding when you finish them, and the selection is amazing, although I have to say it has lost a bit of it’s “newness” factor. My favorite part is Live Mathletics. There is nothing like speedily typing in numbers, and trying to beat other kids at their scores."

"As for Live Mathletics, I wish there was more of a variety between the levels. With me, Level 2 is too easy, but Level 3 is almost frustrating. Something like a 2.5 might be good. Mathletics has helped my progress. It gives me incentives,  such as if you win enough, work really hard, there’s a chance to earn a trophy, and of course, gold bars and a “perfect” gold bar! Plus, students can check their progress themselves, not just the teachers, so I can see where to improve on."

"I would recommend Mathletics, depending your style of homeschooling. If you prefer to use worksheets, Mathletics isn’t as good for you. If you’re okay with a website, typing numbers and having some fun in between, then Mathletics is the right choice for you."

I just might be able to justify it after all.  

***If you're interested in Mathletics, they are offering a year of full access to the site, including the excellent weekly progress reports and the ability to assign work, for $49.  Use the promo code Home2012 (the code is case-sensitive, expires at the end of October and cannot be applied retroactively.)