Monday, January 24, 2011

Xtramath.com


Our class began using an online math fact program this year called Xtramath. This program is wonderful and it's FREE! It covers addition through division and gives a child a pretest based on their grade level. In second grade all of my students were given the addition and subtraction pretest. It then uses the missed problems for intensive review. If a student misses a problem, it gives them the correct answer and then has them type in the correct answer before they continue. My students’ favorite part is the “Race the Teacher” activity. It gives them random problems that they must answer in 3 seconds or less to beat the teacher. It keeps track of the number answered correctly in a row. My students are all trying to beat their personal best score on this activity. This program quickly builds recall. I had one student who is several grades below our grade level who is now recalling many of his beginning addition and subtraction facts accurately. One of my students has already moved onto doing division. The best part is this program only takes my students 5 to 7 minutes a day. They managed the program themselves (the opening screen keeps track of who in your class has already done Xtramath each day). You can see progress reports and print graphs showing students’ progress toward developing fluency with their facts.  My students have made great progress in the three months we’ve been using it. You can check out the program at Xtramath.com .They have several videos that tell you all about the program and how to get started.

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