IXL Learning Review

I came across the IXL website while doing a Google search on Math worksheets for my grandson. He had completed the second grade with test scores of 72 to 85 but when it came to his "final" math test, he made a whopping 42.

I was simply floored and disconcerted. I immediately wrote the teacher an e-mail explaining my disappointment and shock. Really, she had only sent TWO pages, count them 1, 2 pages of handwritten problems that I had diligently went over with my grandson in preparation for the test. It was a well-known fact that the teachers there teach to the test!

With the last math test given, she had "accidentally" sent home with my grandson a test of one of her ALL "A" students and they both had received an "80!" However, the other "student" only received "As" on his report card for all 4 semesters.

She couldn't fail my grandson for the year because I basically home schooled him while having to commute two hours each way and then become "teacher" in order to keep him from failing. Because of my concern for his education, I "keep" every worksheet and test that is sent home. Of course, the issue at hand wasn't her lack of creating a caring and professional teaching environment for her students but that my grandson was simply "not" paying attention.

Let me say this, I'm first to admit that when he's learning something that he isn't quite getting the words "it's hard" spews out like a broken record. He's been the only child in the house for seven years (he's spoiled) and he started school before he was actually five. I agreed that he was not as "independent" as some of the other students but once he grasps a concept he's alright. It's when he is unsure of "how" to solve the problem that he needs assurance that he's going in the right direction. I assured her that with a class of 21 students that she could not "devote" herself solely to him but that we would work at home with him in order that he might better adapt to the classroom environment. Needless to say, that was a hit or miss depending on the day! LOL!

We both had come to the conclusion that emotionally he is 8-months behind his peers. I also noticed that things he struggled with the year before he usually mastered the next year.

So, with all that said, I knew that I needed to provide him with the best chance of starting the Third Grade on the right foot. I began to search and print worksheets on money, addition, subtraction, and the like. This, again, is how I came across IXL.

IXL Learning was founded in 1998 to advance education through Web-based technologies. We create transformative products with an impact that makes them instant classroom essentials.

Their Concept

Practice makes perfect, and IXL makes math practice fun! IXL allows teachers and parents to monitor the progress of their students and motivate them through interactive games and practice questions. Widely recognized as the Web's most comprehensive math site, IXL offers a dynamic and enjoyable environment for children to practice math. Students who use IXL are succeeding like never before.

I introduced the website to my grandson and sat as an overseer while he answered his first set of problems. IXL presents the problem and will either ask the student to enter information or choose from an a - d multiple answer format.

What I really liked about the program is that if your child is struggling with an "concept" or question it will keep "introducing" that question to your child until he/she recognizes on how to solve it. Also, if your child gets an incorrect answer there is a button that he/she can use that will "tell" them how to solve the question! What a concept!

I also like the fact that you can use it for free, but your practice time on the site is "limited!" I choose the monthly option of $9.99/a month. May I say it has been the best investment that I've made in my grandson!

Secondly, you as the parent or guardian can go in and get reports on how your child is doing. The best thing was that they have available, for you to see, the State standards for states across America.

Thirdly, I leave instructions for my grandson to answer several different sections and can watch his progress while I'm at work! I call him and encourage him and tell him how proud I am of his accomplishments. I can even go into the lesson that he has completed and review the questions he completed that were right and wrong!

Simply amazing!

From Pre-School to Eighth grade! No kidding! Some of the topics that are covered are:

• Addition
• Algebra
• Estimation
• Comparing
• Counting
• Decimals
• Division
• Exponents
• Fractions
• Geometry
• Multiplication and some more!

“My students love it! It really challenges them to master the concepts. I told one of my students to change to another topic so she could practice for the upcoming tests, and she said, 'No, wait! I want to get to 100% first!' I have never seen her more motivated to succeed!”

JaLene Rosengren, 4th and 5th grade teacher, Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, U.S.A.

“I love this site! My kids were actually fighting to get on it. My daughter hated math... now I have to ask her to stop using IXL and go to bed. That has never happened before.”

Parent, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.

“My son struggled with math last year in second grade and scored "Below Basic" on California's STAR test. His overall math performance was in the 28th percentile. We found IXL online, and this year, he is in the 92nd percentile in math. He enjoys going to school, he loves doing his homework, and overall I think he is just a happier, more confident kid.”

Vanessa Y., parent, Hayward, California, U.S.A.

This product is a great tool for your computer-savvy youngsters as he/she develops their Math skills. This website does cater to the subject of Math and aims to help your child progress in this subject.

I especially liked the built-in ability of the program to start off with easier questions in the beginning of the test and progressing to more difficult problems as your child moves through the practice!

I give it two thumbs up! That's because I only have TWO...count them...One...Two....

Until my next review...Happy learning to ALL those young minds! Sending Much Love Your Way!