Each week, the Eduminions practice and learn about math in many different ways. We play games, we do whole-class lessons and small group lessons, we complete challenges, and we practice our math skills on IXL.
IXL is a math application that can be used both here at school and at home. It can be used on a regular desktop computer or laptop and on tablet devices. Below, I will review how it works for the iPad, but this process is generally transferable to all devices. Click here for the iPad app and click here for the Android app (both are free to you - but the school pays for a subscription for your child). To access their website, click here.
One thing to note is that this is a supplementary app for practice. In no way does it replace the in-classroom mathematics experiences such as working with manipulatives (blocks, cubes, etc), playing games, and solving problems. However, it does help reinforce the concepts we cover. The app is “smart” in that it tailors upcoming questions based on the accuracy of the student. If the student is doing well, it will ramp up the difficulty level; if not, it will simplify the skill again.
To start, open the app and have your child log-in:
IXL is a math application that can be used both here at school and at home. It can be used on a regular desktop computer or laptop and on tablet devices. Below, I will review how it works for the iPad, but this process is generally transferable to all devices. Click here for the iPad app and click here for the Android app (both are free to you - but the school pays for a subscription for your child). To access their website, click here.
One thing to note is that this is a supplementary app for practice. In no way does it replace the in-classroom mathematics experiences such as working with manipulatives (blocks, cubes, etc), playing games, and solving problems. However, it does help reinforce the concepts we cover. The app is “smart” in that it tailors upcoming questions based on the accuracy of the student. If the student is doing well, it will ramp up the difficulty level; if not, it will simplify the skill again.
To start, open the app and have your child log-in:
Next, select the grade level you’d like to work at. Please keep your child’s ability level in mind when making these selections.
After you select the grade level, you will be presented with various options for math strands that they can practice. When you look at a box containing a particular strand, you will have an option to select from various activities for that strand. For example, these are some of the Grade 3 strands and lessons:
When you select your activity, a practice question will be presented. Tap in the answer box and choose for a number keyboard to come up to input your answer. You can also choose to handwrite in your answers and a smart sensor will turn your handwriting into numbers!
(For the devices where these options don't come up and you just get a regular old iPad keyboard, I'm trying to find a fix. Stay tuned!)
(For the devices where these options don't come up and you just get a regular old iPad keyboard, I'm trying to find a fix. Stay tuned!)
You can also use the pen tools on the bottom right-hand corner of the screen to annotate and draw to solve the problem.
Please note that all of the questions practiced through IXL are recorded for my records. I can see how many problems students attempt, their accuracy, and how long they spend on IXL each week.
As I mentioned earlier, this is great supplemental practice at home that saves you from searching for math worksheets online. I also encourage the use of manipulatives (counting beans, money, candies, cereal, blocks) or a 100s chart to assist students as they complete questions at home.
I hope this little breakdown helped to provide more understanding around IXL. If you have a device at home that your child can work on, please don’t hesitate to get them started on this, even for just a few minutes a night. We just started working on simple multiplication and every bit of practice makes a BIG difference!
-Mrs. LS
As I mentioned earlier, this is great supplemental practice at home that saves you from searching for math worksheets online. I also encourage the use of manipulatives (counting beans, money, candies, cereal, blocks) or a 100s chart to assist students as they complete questions at home.
I hope this little breakdown helped to provide more understanding around IXL. If you have a device at home that your child can work on, please don’t hesitate to get them started on this, even for just a few minutes a night. We just started working on simple multiplication and every bit of practice makes a BIG difference!
-Mrs. LS
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