Do you love Math or hate it?  I am somewhere inbetween.  My kids are each different, and out of the three older kids, I have one that loves Math, one that hates Math, and one that tolerates it (is inbetween).  I am always looking for a way to make learning Math fun instead of boring.  I am really thankful for the opportunity to use IXL online learning programs in our homeschool this year.  

                                
Have you heard of the IXL online learning program before?  IXL is a very well known math skills practice website, and was one of the first online learning programs I learned about when I became a homeschool mom.  They currently have over 2500 practice skills to help your child learn.  They want kids to have fun while learning and their motto is “Practice that feels like play.  Dynamic, adaptive learning.”

                

They have a great reputation for their IXL Online Math Membership programs.  They recently added a whole new section of learning for IXL Online Language Arts Membership too.

IXL Membership Subscription can be purchased for either a monthly or yearly subscription for Math, or Language Arts, or for both subjects together.  You can purchase the program for one student or for several students too.  See the descriptions below for the pricing combinations, and the website has additional information so be sure to check that out and find the right combination for your homeschool needs.

         

Math
Grades PreK-12
$79 per year or $9.95 per month 
IXL Online Math Membership

        
Language Arts
Grades 2-4
$79 per year or $9.95 per month
 IXL Online Language Arts Membership

Both Math and Language Arts
 $129 per year  or 15.95 per month. 

Each additional student is only $20 per year (or $2 per month).


How We Are Using IXL:

We were given a 1 year family membership in exchange for writing an honest review using IXL Math and Language Arts in our homeschool.  Since the program is set up in a way that encourages kids natural desire to play and find rewards, it really appeals to my sons.  They like a challenge.  Our family is using IXL as a supplement to our regular curriculum and practice the online skills for 15 to 20 minutes at a time.  

                
                
IXL encourages kids to have fun while learning by encouraging them to earn awards on themed game boards that are like treasure hunts.  Each grade level has it’s own game board theme.  When my kids log in to IXL they get a screen with grade options to choose from.  Most of the time we work in our grade level, but sometimes we go back and practice in a younger grade level for review too.

    

They click on the grade they want to work on.  Then they can choose a skill from a huge list. This is one way to work your way through the practice skills.  When ever you complete a skill, you recieve a gold medal that is displayed at the end of posted skill, kind of like a check mark displaying you are done with that.  This is an easy way to keep track of what you have completed and where you still need more work.

                
                
But another way to work through the program is rewards based and this is my boys favorite way.  Kids have to uncover the hidden treasures on the game board as they complete quizzes and master skills.  Awards are fun animals, foods, places, and hobbies kids enjoy.   When they can click on the awards button at the top of the screen, it shows them a game board with the prizes they have achieved, and empty spaces to be filled.  

            

They can click on a “? mystery square” to learn what “challenge task” they need to complete to reveal the mystery prize.   Then they can return to the list of skills and select the one (or several) that corresponds with the task or skill or group of skills they must learn to achieve the next prize.  With each skill mastered, a prize is placed in a corresponding square, but what thrills them the most is to complete the challenge and find the prize that goes into the ?mystery? square. 

When your student completes a skill practice set, a reward is placed in the square on the game board, and if they complete a task (for example complete three skills in subtraction, etc) they are given the reward for the mystery challenge square.  They are also given a score page to reinforce their accomplishment.  It tells them the amount of time they spent, how many problems there were, how many they got correct, and how many overall total points they have earned in the program, etc.
  
                    

Skills we are working on in IXL:

7th grade: 254 Math Skills


5th grade:  268 Math Skills


3rd grade:   230 Math Skills


3rd grade: 106 Language Arts Skills 


I can see my kids improve in their understanding of math and language concepts as they practice each skill set.  I am also sent an email on a regular basis, letting me know how the kids are doing and what they have achieved. 



It is easy to keep track of my kids progress on the parent dashboard with the progress reports.  All I need to do is log in and choose the student I want to review.  There are several reports to choose from and I can print the reports and achievment certificates out and save them in our homeschool portfolios too.   



All of the skills in each grade level line up with educational Standards of both all 50 States and Common Core Standards too.   There is also a new iPad app available for your convenience.  They have plans for additional expansion in the future too so be sure to check their website often for what’s new.


Our Recommendation:

We definitely recommend this online program for homeschools.  It is a valuable supplemental curriculum tool to help your kids practice skills, grasp math and language concepts, and improve in these areas.  We have enjoyed using IXL in our homeschool in the past.  IXL is constantly improving and expanding grade levels and skill sets, and listening to the consumer’s needs.  We give it two thumbs up!

        

Be sure to check out how other homeschool families on the Schoolhouse Review Crew are using this product in their homes too.

               

There are lots of options for homeschoolers to choose from in regards to curriculum.  It can be overwhelming at times to try to decide on a curriculum choice for any given subject.  I have personally chosen curriculum at the beginning of the school year, that didn’t fit with my kids learning style or skills and found myself taking a different path before the school year was over.  Sometimes I have chosen a completely different program, and sometimes all that we needed was to enrich what we were learning with a supplemental program.

Math is one of those subjects where lots of homeschool families lack confidence in their curriculum choices. Personally, I have found a program the oldest son (5th grade) likes and willingly uses almost daily with very little prodding from me.  But he still doesn’t like to work on practice problems.  And with three school age sons (5th, 3rd, and 1st grades), all with different personalities and likes, it has been a challenge to find a good curriculum match for each of them. 
                                        
We were recently asked to review IXL Math.  IXL Math is an online learning program that helps children understand and improve their math skills through practice.  It is a supplemental program and can greatly enhance what your child is learning by offering a fun way to practice.  It is used by families and teachers all over the world in over 150 countries.

                    
It is also aligned to state learning standards in all 50 states in the USA.  Click here to review the state math learning standards web page.  IXL members receive exclusive access to state standardized reports.  These reports can help parents focus on where their kids need help and where they have mastered skill sets.  Some states require homeschoolers to take standardized tests and some do not require this.  But at any rate, this information is helpful and assists parents in making informed decisions in their child’s development with math.
 
We are trying IXL Math out with my son who is in 1st grade.  He gets excited about using the computer.  He loves online games and fun challenges.  IXL Math gave him the opportunity to use the computer for math practice and rewarded him when he completed math problems correctly.

                         

IXL Math basically means “I excel at math”.  Wow.  Wouldn’t you want the confidence to say that?  Let’s say it together, “I excel at math”, now say it again with excitement ” I Excel At MATH!”.  Now you get it.  It’s confidence that you are good at it.  I want to have that confidence.  I want my children to have that confidence too.

                    
Do you want your children to have that confidence in their ability to use math?  Then you might want to take the time to check out the IXL Math program and see if it is a good fit for your family.

IXL Math is a leveled math practice program.  Kids practice their skills and get better and better at what they know.  This is not a teaching program, but it is an awesome supplement program to strengthen your kid’s confidence, knowledge and understanding of math.  You can choose problems by subject or by grade level.  If you want to try it out for free, they let you practice with 20 questions per day.  So give it a try and see if you like the presentation of the questions.

IXL Math has a basic system of practice problems, scoring, and virtual rewards earned for points.  They have great online screens that help the student and parent keep track of progress.  As the child progresses, they collect ribbons and medals, and as they build their score rewards a revieled on a “scoreboard” or rewards chart.  The rewards chart is a game in itself.   Each grade level has a different theme and uses “pictures to be revealed” as the child progresses.  This encourages the child to stay motivated.  My son wished that some of the spaces contained a reward such as a fun arcade game once they have achieved a certain learning goal.  But even with out all the bells and whistles of games, this chart is still a great incentive for younger kids to achieve goals.
                            
                                
Another incentive is a certificate of achievement awards that can be printed out.  These could be hung on a bulletin board, placed in a portfolio, or even framed.  This i
s a nice option to offer your kids if they are motivated by achieving certificates.
                                                  
Grade and skill sets available at this time include math skills for preK-8th grade and algebra.  Higher level math is in the development process and will be available soon.  To learn more about each grade level, click on the buttons below that interest you.

                

                 

                  

              
 
You can subscribe to membership in IXL Math on a monthly ($9.95) or yearly ($79.00) basis. Parents can save over $40 by choosing the yearly subscription, so its like buying 8 months and getting 4 months for free, that is a huge savings.  There is also a subscription program for teachers / schools.

                                             


In addition to being a great math practice program for the kids, it is a confidence b
ooster for parents too, thanks to 37 different reports that show proficiency, trouble spots and progress. There is a parent dashboard, and IXL will also send you emails updating you on your child’s progress. 


This is a wonderful supplemental math program.  IXL Math is a “must have” resource to build confidence and hear your child say “I Excel At Math”.

Read here to learn what others on the TOS Homeschool Crew had to say about this product.
 

Disclaimer: I received a subscription to the product mentioned above, as a member
of the TOS Crew, in exchange for writing an honest review.