Review: Galaxy of Education

The Homeschool Crew has received another math product to review--actually a series of products called Math Galaxy.    Games, riddles and worksheets are used to drill math facts from simple addition of whole numbers through fundamentals of algebra.  Fritz is whizzing through our regular math curriculum so he may be ready for algebra when he turns 8 , but for now we decided to stick with the whole numbers. 

Whole Numbers Fun covers topics like Place Value, Rounding, Patterns, Time, Money, and Graphs.  Addition, Subtraction, and Multiplying are taught using 1 to 3 digits, Division covers 1 and 2 digit divisors.   This program is done on the computer.  You can use the tutorial to learn the concept or go right to solving problems.  Correct answers (you type in the answer) earn you robots that can be used in the labrynth game.  The graphics for Math Galaxy harks back to the days of Space Invaders and Pacman so if you have a computer game enthusiast, they may not be impressed.  Fritz doesn't paly computer games and didn't really care for these either.

A better choice for us is the Whole Numbers Worksheet generator.    Rather then working at the computer, he can sit at the table and practice math.  He's not just solving problems for the sake of getting the worksheet done.  The sheet starts with a riddle.  The riddle's answer is solved letter by letter by matching the math problem answers to letters of the alphabet (see the sample below)

 

 Currently Fritz's Sunday School class has a secret agent theme so to him these worksheets were like cracking codes.  He actually giggled when I handed him the first one.  I liked the format because in addition to math, he was practicing reading the riddle and writing the answer--his two least favorite activities in homeschooling, so I'll take any additional practice we can get.

One downside to Math Galaxy is that for any subject, multiplication for instance, I can't specify a range of facts to be drilled.  The problems come from the whole times table, even though we are only up to the sixes right now.  Just be aware of this if you have a student who will get frustrated being asked questions about material they haven't learned yet.   Or you may be surprised as I was when Fritz knew the answer to  8 x 9.

 All the Worksheet Generators and the Math Fun series come on cd-roms for $29.95 with free shipping.  The programs work with Windows and Mac operating systems.  You can try samples of the games and math instruction at MathGalaxy.com .

You can see what my crewmates thought of the Galaxy of Education programs by clicking here.

Disclaimer:  I received free copies of Whole Numbers FUn and the Whole Numbers Worksheet Generator for the purpose of completing this review.  I received no other compensation.