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.
Math reviews are always met with mixed reactions from my kids. It's the favorite subject of some and for others, well, let's just say they wouldn't mind if they never had to see another math problem for the rest of their lives. Unfortunately for the second group, math is an essential aspect of life. It is applicable in the home, at a store, and for most jobs. It also builds concept upon concept. That's why it is vital to have a solid foundation of mathematics in the younger years.
Math Galaxy is dedicated to teaching kids math concepts sequentially and interactively. So even if a student does not necessarily love solving problems, he will understand the approach and be able to apply the lessons to everyday experiences.
Though Math Galaxy does start teaching beginning basics of addition and multiplication tables along with single-digit operations, their focus is where students have the most difficulties: multi-step problem solving and abstract thinking. Their teaching approach is to help students, not only comprehend math concepts, but understand when to apply them by connecting abstract concepts to concrete experiences. Their lessons provide a basic understanding of math, rather than requiring the memorization of rules. They believe that through consistency and active engagement, students will have a solid foundation for analytical thinking and higher-level math.
While Math Galaxy offers dozens of apps covering grade-specific levels to individual skills, we chose to use their eBooks. The 30 eBooks are divided into 4 categories:
Though Math Galaxy does start teaching beginning basics of addition and multiplication tables along with single-digit operations, their focus is where students have the most difficulties: multi-step problem solving and abstract thinking. Their teaching approach is to help students, not only comprehend math concepts, but understand when to apply them by connecting abstract concepts to concrete experiences. Their lessons provide a basic understanding of math, rather than requiring the memorization of rules. They believe that through consistency and active engagement, students will have a solid foundation for analytical thinking and higher-level math.
While Math Galaxy offers dozens of apps covering grade-specific levels to individual skills, we chose to use their eBooks. The 30 eBooks are divided into 4 categories:
- Whole Numbers
- Fractions
- Decimals, Proportions, Percents (pre-algebra)
- Algebra
Each topic has multiple workbooks within it, making it easy to find exactly where your student needs practice. The eBooks are similar in format and vary from 43-164 pages. Each one is filled with silly riddles for the kids to solve. The answers match with letters which are then filled in to the appropriate spaces, answering the riddle.
Why did the hen sit on the axe? So she could hatchet.
Why did the golfer wear two pairs of pants? In case he got a hole in one.
Why can't you tell pigs secrets? Because they squeal.
What did one magnet say to the other magnet? I find you attractive.
The riddles are silly and simple and perfect for kids. Some of the books have a few non-riddle worksheets squished into the middle, too.
Unlike many books with the answer keys at the end, these put the pages directly after the student worksheet.
I had had 3 of my children using these to supplement their math the last month or so. My daughter (who just turned 12 this week) has focused on the Decimal Operations in the Pre-Algebra section. The lessons start with single-decimal addition and progress to 3-digit divisors. She also has done some work in the Spelling Word Jumbles book from the Whole Numbers group, which isn't math but is a nice addition (no pun intended) to the set. Since my girl puts math at the very bottom of the list of things she likes and language arts at the very top, she prefers to complete those pages.
My sons (10 and just turned 8 this week) are the math-lovers of my kids. They have been working through Equivalent Fractions and Time and Money in Whole Numbers, respectively. My issue with the fractions book is that the answers show the entire fraction, instead of only the numerator. A student can find the matching denominator in the answer list and fill in the answer and letter without having to solve anything. There are some regular worksheet pages, as well, but all of the riddle ones are like that.
The time pages show clocks whose time is always and increment of 5. The money pages give simple coins to add.
I had had 3 of my children using these to supplement their math the last month or so. My daughter (who just turned 12 this week) has focused on the Decimal Operations in the Pre-Algebra section. The lessons start with single-decimal addition and progress to 3-digit divisors. She also has done some work in the Spelling Word Jumbles book from the Whole Numbers group, which isn't math but is a nice addition (no pun intended) to the set. Since my girl puts math at the very bottom of the list of things she likes and language arts at the very top, she prefers to complete those pages.
My sons (10 and just turned 8 this week) are the math-lovers of my kids. They have been working through Equivalent Fractions and Time and Money in Whole Numbers, respectively. My issue with the fractions book is that the answers show the entire fraction, instead of only the numerator. A student can find the matching denominator in the answer list and fill in the answer and letter without having to solve anything. There are some regular worksheet pages, as well, but all of the riddle ones are like that.
The time pages show clocks whose time is always and increment of 5. The money pages give simple coins to add.
The books are filled with color, as you can see that the top of each riddle page has a solid block. I cannot justify printing that much ink for each lesson, so I have my kids do their work looking at the computer and writing the answers in a notebook. This is not as easy, but it works for us. Also, since the answers pages are directly after the worksheets, the kids could technically scroll down and see the answers on their own. I have not seen them doing that, but it would be a possibility. My daughter, especially, is able to solve some using critical thinking, such as knowing that a single space in the riddle punchline is going to be either an A or an I and that the last answer obviously goes into the empty space. And though I'm proud of her for applying thinking skills like that, I would never tell her because I don't want her to rely on it. She is still taking the time to solve each problem, even though she'd rather not, ha.
The books are self-correcting as there has to be an answer that matches theirs and the riddle answer has to make sense, too.
The Math Galaxy riddle eBooks have been a fun enhancement to our days. My kids are very witty and often tell jokes. They love incorporating that aspect into their math work.
With 30 different books and dozens of apps, there is something for each elementary-age child. Math Galaxy claims to work like a "personal tutor" and may be just what your student needs to gain a solid foundation of math concepts.
You can connect with Math Galaxy on their website and Pinterest.
You can read more reviews of these ebooks along with reviews iOS apps on the Homeschool Review Crew blog.
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