As most of you all know by now I homeschool Sophia. I started homeschooling her in her kindergarten year and am glad I made the switch. It has been a roller coaster, but it`s quite beneficial and I don`t think I ever want to go back to the "traditional" schooling. With her homeschool, I try to do different things as the same pattern gets boring. We use worksheet, workbooks, textbooks, computer, games, art project, and even tablets as methods to help her learn. She particularly loves the games on the computer or tablet which is why I love using the Splash Math App when doing her math. While Sophia is only in 1st grade (well halfway through it now), she learns quickly and is being introduced to the 2nd-grade math - which this app comes in handy for. She loves to play games and I love her learning, so it`s a win/win for the two of us.
Splash Math is jam-packed math e-workbook filled with very colorful and interactive math concepts at the second-grade level. This very thorough and user-friendly app, just like StudyPad, Inc.'s first and third-grade versions, are designed to practice math skills already learned rather than a direct instruction tool. With what seemed to be an endless number of questions, Splash Math- 2nd grade [HD Full] is great for either home or school to provide extra practice or remedial work at the second-grade math level. Not only does this app contain 13 skill-set chapters but also over 200 math concepts. It is designed to help children practice math facts that gradually increases in levels of difficulty (easy, medium, and hard) as the individual child progresses through the program. The 13 topics covered in Splash Math- 2nd Grade is: Place Value; Number Sense; Addition Strategies; Two-Digit Addition; Subtraction Strategies; Two-Digit Subtraction; Time; Measurements; Geometry; Data; Money; Three-Digit Addition; and Three Digit Subtraction.
The main thing with Splash Math is that this app incorporates so many different math concepts into one app! It seems like with the other math apps we use frequently are for only one concept. For instance, when I just pulled Sophia for homeschooling I had to get an app to add, an app to subtract, and app for clocks; the list goes on. I hated that I`d have to close one app and open another to do different concepts rather than doing them all within the same app. This app combines them all into one. You can even focus on certain areas by only selecting specific concepts. So for instance, if you need to focus more in one area, you can do that rather than the stuff your child already knows. Chapters can be turned off or the child can complete extra practice on a certain chapter. (Otherwise, the app will do this on its own when it recognizes the child is struggling with a concept.) Multiple users are allowed. One can choose between 10 and 100 questions per session. Music/sound effects can be turned on or off. I also like the automated voice that reads the questions. It makes it a bit easier for Sophia to understand and know what to do. I used to think she wouldn`t learn to read because of this, but she actually pays attention to directions and it helps her recognize things and what`s being asked in specific math problems.
Another thing I like about the app, they really put it into a game-like form. Your child earns fish for an aquarium based on correct responding. Sophia loves playing for prizes and adding fish to the aquarium, making this PERFECT to get her to pay attention and really try. Of course, she also thinks it`s pretty funny getting to drop an anvil onto the fish in the aquarium. Of course, you better not do it to her fish for her or she`ll get mad at you!
Of course, being a homeschooling mom I worry about if I`m on the right track, how much does she really know, etc. I get nervous. I love that you can monitor each child's progress. You can select to receive email alerts of the progress and you can see specifically which areas your child may be struggling in. This is definitely helpful so I know what areas we need to work on more. I seriously wish I had this for EVERY subject! Please note though, this is a fantastic app, but it is meant for extra practice or remedial work, not direct instruction.