Apps & Ebooks from Math Galaxy: A TOS Crew Review

Math Galaxy

Disclaimer: I received a FREE copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way

Math Galaxy makes mastering math concepts more fun!  We've been using the Apps for 5th Grade Math & 6th Grade Math, along with 30 different Math Riddles Ebooks to liven up our math review.

Let me start with the Apps. Math Galaxy has so many to choose from!  They offer a full range of apps for every level from Prek to Algebra and SAT Math.  We decided to explore with the grade level apps for 5th and 6th grade.  Math is not a universal love language at Bentz Academy, so any tools I can find to make it more enjoyable are welcome!

The apps are available through the App Store for iPad and iPhone.  The apps appear basic - no dancing characters or endless games, just solid math concepts and individualized review for concept mastery.

  

You can choose what topic to work on.  

Then, it's practice and review the concept.  The screens are intuitive, my testers could understand immediately.   

Using it on my iPhone XS - we still sometimes had issues making sure we hit the correct number button when answering. I'm sure it's much easier on a larger screen, like an iPad.  I think this could be improved to be more user friendly for the iPhones.

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Immediate feedback is given, if your answer is correct it flashes "correct".  If you answer incorrectly, you get another try.  After 2 misses - the correct answer is shown and explained.

In addition, the apps contain video that you can watch to help explain concepts - in a very straightforward, whiteboard style.

And simple games - like Labyrinth.

Overall, having solid math review on my phone is a really great tool to pull out during our down times while waiting, or in the car.  

We also had the chance to review the Math Riddle eBooks.  They offer collections for Whole Numbers, Fractions, Decimals, Proportions, Percents, Algebra.  

This are 30 different PDF ebooks that you can download and print (I don't recommend using color ink!) to practice math facts by solving riddles.  Each ebook is a PDF with around 40-50 pages of riddles and answers.

These are a fun way to liven up the worksheet genre of math!  Instead of just working a page of problems, they get to answer the problem to find a letter that they can insert into the riddle.  These were a big hit around here!

You can use Google to make them into interactive worksheets (that don't need to be printed!)

Overall, we found Math Galaxy was a great way to expand our math learning, and make it more fun!

Find Math Galaxy on Pinterest

Hashtags: #hsreviews #mathgalaxy #riddles #mathriddles #fractionsriddles #mathworksheets

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Online Times Alive & Times Alive App from City Creek Press, Inc.: A TOS Crew Review

Online Times Alive & Times Alive App from City Creek Press, Inc.

Multiplication facts have never been my favorite - but Online Times Alive &the NEW Times Alive App from City Creek Press, Inc. have really helped liven them up!

We have been using this online subscription over the past years with a number of my students.  Not all of them learn the same way, and this is where this program has an advantage over traditional methods.

It features short videos with animated characters and silly stories that help illustrate the multiplication facts in a memorable way - great for my visual learners. The songs help my auditory learners cement the multiplication facts. I find myself singing them as I'm correcting their math! Take a peek at one of the videos...

The Online Times Alive is designed for computer use and keeps track of an unlimited number of students on one computer. Students can clear their progress and use the program over and over. Subscriptions do not require a contract and can be cancelled anytime.

The program is very easy to use, and does not require my assistance - a bonus for me!  It teaches the multiplication facts from 0-9.  The lessons are short, and the variety of activities keeps them interested and learning math facts in a fun way. 

Let me give you a peek:

The lesson starts with a short video and song introducing characters to represent the multiplication fact.  This is so helpful for your out-of-the-box learners.  It encourages recall.

Then, the student is reminded with visual cues and practices with numerals.

 Additional activities are included - just for fun.

Throughout the lessons, students get to practice with timed tests.  This is where my testers really needed the extra practice - solidifying the facts, and increasing the speed at which they can remember.

Handy lesson lists show you what your student has been working on.

The Times Alive App has all the same features of the Online version, but lets you take it on the go! This is a great way to maximize any waiting room time.  They love time with the phone, and so I let them...as long as it's this app.

We love this program, my older children still remember the catchy tunes.  So, if you want to liven up those multiplication facts, why not give it a try?

Check out this special offer:   When you sign up for Times Alive, the company is offering to waive your set-up fee, a $6.95 value, when you use the code lovetolearn.

Find City Creek Press, Inc. on Social Media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LearnMultiplication/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/TimesTablestheFunWay
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/citycreekpress/


Hashtags: #hsreviews #timestablesthefunway #timesalive #learnmultiplication

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Planet 316 Story Bible and the companion Planet 316 Story Bible App: A TOS Crew Review

Planet 316 Story Bible and the companion Planet 316 Story Bible App from Planet 316 and WorthyKids/Ideals

It's vital that we help our children fall in love with the WORD! Planet 316 Story Bible and the companion Planet 316 Story Bible App from Planet 316 and WorthyKids/Ideals has designed a beautiful new children's Story Bible that does just that.

First, let me tell you more about this unique, hardcover, Story Bible.  It contains over 100 Bible stories, each brightly illustrated in full color.  The stories stay true to the Biblical account (no talking veggies...) Stories come from both the Old and New Testaments.  They actually tell the story like the real Bible does, in  child friendly language.  Each story also has the reference under the title, so your children know where to look in their Bible for the story.

It has a sturdy hardcover binding, and 300 thick, glossy pages. Perfect for those little hands, and tough enough to stand up to daily use.  

The illustrations are bright and engaging.  The text is perfect for your young readers, or as a read aloud.  Each story is short.  My testers loved taking turns reading with me.  I love that they have included a handy index in the back to help your child find what they are looking for.  This is a great introduction to how a concordance works! 

But, what really sets this Story Bible apart from all the others is the companion Planet 316 Story Bible App  that makes the pages of this Bible jump to life!   All you need is a FREE app and a mobile device,  it works with phones and tablets - Apple and Android.

Once the app is downloaded, simply open your Bible and point to the page.  The app will scan the page and instantly the page's illustrations pop right off the page with audio too. This is so fun, my testers could not get enough!  I had so much fun, they had to take it away from me to get their chance to explore...

I tried to get a screen shot, but it really doesn't do it justice. The images come off the page and animation makes them seem to move.  The augmented reality adds audio as well.  The characters talk when you tap them, there are sound effects and music.  This is a really fun way to get your children interacting with the WORD.   Not only is this Story Bible well-written and illustrated, but it comes to life with the use of technology. 

We loved exploring, reading and interacting with this Story Bible -  you will want one on your shelf!

Find Planet 316 on Social Media: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Planet316/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/planet_316 Tag: @planet_316

Hashtags: #hsreviews , #planet316, #planet316storybible, #childsbible, #bible

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Daily Bible Jigsaw from Planet 316: A TOS Crew Review

Daily Bible Jigsaw from Planet 316

This one is just for fun... Bentz Test Laboratory has quickly gotten addicted to the Daily Bible Jigsaw from Planet 316!
This FREE app allows you to assemble jigsaw puzzles on your device.  It's available on Google Play, Apple App Store, Facebook and Facebook Gameroom. 

Each day a new puzzle is available.  Older puzzles can be purchased with in-app purchases of coins. Coins can also be used as tools to assist you as you complete the puzzle. Some tools sweep off pieces to the side, pull out the edge pieces, pull two pieces together or guide you with a picture of the completed puzzle.  
The tools come in handy when you are getting competitive (like the members of the Crew!) and trying to beat your time (or your friends time).  Each puzzle times you.
My testers and I found ourselves pulling this out to entertain ourselves while waiting.  We do a lot of waiting - at the doctor, at the orthodontist, at the practice..., anyone have an amen?
Each day you complete your puzzle, you add another piece to your monthly puzzle calendar.  Fill in the entire month, and you earn a free bonus puzzle. 
  If you finish the daily puzzle, and still have time to waste...invest, you can access 10 bonus puzzles anytime (for no additional coins).
This is a fun and addicting app - that's totally kid friendly! 
 Best of all, each completed puzzle features an inspirational scripture. 
My testers and I really like this app, and we get excited everytime we hear the little "zump" sound when the pieces go together :-)  We may have been overheard arguing over who gets to place the final piece as well.
You'll like this one!

Find Planet 316 onSocial Media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Planet316/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/planet_316  @planet_316

Hashtags: #hsreviews #dailybiblejigsaw



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Orphs of the Woodlands at Tangletree from Star Toaster: A TOS Crew Review

Orphs of the Woodlands at Tangletree from Star Toaster

The testers at Bentz Test Laboratory have been enthralled with a new app - Orphs of the Woodlands at Tangletree from Star Toaster.  The app is a prequel story to the original Star Toaster book - The Treasure of HighTower - you can read our review here.  This iOS app is compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch and it is made for children ages 9-11.

This learning app is actually a 122 page illustrated chapter book, complete with videos and learning activities.  The story follows the adventures of a flying squirrel named Abba who cares for six orphaned animals, or orphs, in his tree house.

Each lesson offers your child "jobs" to complete in math, science, language art, thinking skills, life skills and the arts.  The "jobs" earn reward stars which they can use to care for the orphs. With 75 lessons, and 9ver 130 jobs to complete - it will keep their attention for quite some time.  The lessons and jobsare unlocked as your child reads the story.  The app automatically returns them to where they left off.

This app is VERY easy to use!  Within minutes my testers were logged in and already reading and completing jobs for their orphs.

It's big family friendly too - every child can have their own user, and mom can see everyone's progress.

The story is easy to read - my testers were mainly 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 6th graders.  The text is linked with vocabulary and lessons they will access to complete their jobs.  The vocab lessons alone are worth getting this app!

The big attraction is called "Stumptown".  This is where, after they have completed reading, they can access their jobs to earn stars. As they progress through the story, more jobs are made available.  So, they have to read before they can play.

They complete "job training", which is the lesson part.  Then they are able to complete jobs to earn the stars. The lessons are a variety of language arts, math, science and more.  They are usually multiple choice.  If you miss an answer, you don't earn the star.  It made my testers slow down and actually have to read! +

The app tells them what their orphs need and how many stars they need to earn to provide for what the orphs need.  I love that the message of this app is one of caring and providing instead of destroying or ruling something.  Great character lessons are woven throughout their play, and the lessons too.  

I HIGHLY recommend this app!  My children love to get time to play on my phone, and this is the perfect way to redeem that time and use it for learning (just don't tell them...) they think it's a treat! Plus, there's nothing they have to chase around! My testers can't wait for the next adventure - Thornwood - coming soon. 

Find  Star Toaster on Social Media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/startoaster4kids
Twitter: https://twitter.com/StarToaster

Hashtags:  #hsreviews #readingsupplement #readingapp #readinggame


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