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.
My 2nd grader, Titus, is very bright. He picks up on new math concepts really quickly and has a really good understanding of math. The only thing was - I noticed he was still using his fingers to count up and down for his simple math facts. This was slowing him down quite a bit when he was learning to add and subtract three digit numbers with carrying and borrowing. He was having to stop and use his fingers to count before writing the numbers down. When I was offered the chance to review the new Accelerated Individualized Mastery (AIM) for Addition and Subtraction program from Math-U-See, I knew that it would be great for Titus.
Here is what is included in the Accelerated Individualized Mastery for Addition and Subtraction set:
- AIM resource guide, which includes 22 lesson plans
- Math-U-See integer blocks
- Math-U-See colored pencils
- Math Fact Strategy posters
- Fact Check cards (flashcards)
- 12 months of access to the AIM digital pack
I'm going to go through a lesson for you with Titus, including pictures of each part of the lesson, so you can have a better idea of what this program is like. We are doing lesson 7, which is about making ten. First, he watched the video with Mr. Demme and built the "fort" out of the integer blocks and the combinations of 10. The only new facts he learned today are 6 + 4 and 7 + 3, since he has already learned all of the other combinations of 10.
Next we did the "Build, Write, Say" with four word problems that are found in the book. I read the word problem, he builds it with the blocks, writes it on the marker board, and then reads the problem aloud.
Then I add the two new fact cards to our pile and we drilled all of the flashcards. This isn't part of the lesson, but he likes to do this sometimes.
Finally we played a Review activity - Ladder Math. I stick 8 sticky notes to the table, put one of each of the integer blocks in a bag, and hand him a "9" block. He has to pull a block from the bag, add "9" to it, and write the problem on a sticky note. He does this eight times, and then he puts the sticky notes in order from least to greatest. He really enjoys these review activities and they are working really well for his learning style.
And that's it! That's an entire lesson. He isn't isn't supposed to move on the next lesson until he masters the facts he learned today. If he hasn't mastered them we can repeat the lesson or just play games and drills until he knows them within 3 seconds without counting or using his fingers.
Next we did the "Build, Write, Say" with four word problems that are found in the book. I read the word problem, he builds it with the blocks, writes it on the marker board, and then reads the problem aloud.
Then I add the two new fact cards to our pile and we drilled all of the flashcards. This isn't part of the lesson, but he likes to do this sometimes.
Finally we played a Review activity - Ladder Math. I stick 8 sticky notes to the table, put one of each of the integer blocks in a bag, and hand him a "9" block. He has to pull a block from the bag, add "9" to it, and write the problem on a sticky note. He does this eight times, and then he puts the sticky notes in order from least to greatest. He really enjoys these review activities and they are working really well for his learning style.
And that's it! That's an entire lesson. He isn't isn't supposed to move on the next lesson until he masters the facts he learned today. If he hasn't mastered them we can repeat the lesson or just play games and drills until he knows them within 3 seconds without counting or using his fingers.
We love using AIM for Addition and Subtraction! The lessons are short enough to hold Titus's attention, but long enough to be effective. Titus enjoys watching the short videos included in the Digital Pack before starting a new lesson. They give him a great visual of what he is supposed to learn, and I hardly have to teach at all. He has already improved so much on his recall accuracy and speed. He love the games. Playing the simple games really helps him with his recall speed.
The Resource Guide is very similar to a Teacher's Guide. Each lesson is on a 2-page spread, with 4 "sessions". Session A is Present Lesson Instruction. It has the same information as the lesson video in the Digital Pack. Session B is Demonstrate Understanding. This section has several word problems that your child will use the Build, Write, Say method to show that he understands the concept. Session C is Transition Math Facts to Visual Memory. If your child can draw, write, and say the math facts from this lesson you move on. If not, you keep practicing those facts. Session D is Assess for Mastery. You use the flashcards to check your child's mastery of the facts from the lesson.You can color the addition facts mastery chart and move on to the next lesson, or keep practicing until your child masters the facts.
The AIM Digital Pack includes many helpful resources, like "Fast Fact Check-Ins", which is a collection of 8 different activities you can do with your child throughout the day to drill their facts. For example, Titus loved playing "Rock, Paper, Scissors, Fact!" We would play a round of rock, paper, scissors, and the loser had to flip over a fast fact card and say the answer. He loves playing rock, paper, scissors, so we would play this over and over. I printed out the "Fast Fact Check-Ins" on cardstock, cut them out, and put them on a metal ring so I can quickly pull it out and choose an activity.
The Digital Pack also includes 14 "Review Activities", which are similar to the "Fast Fact Check-Ins", but more involved. These are the games that Titus loves so much! His favorite is the first one - "Sum Solitaire." This was pretty simple, yet fun and effective. We turned a deck of cards face down and I would give him a number, like 9. We took turns turning the cards over and adding 9 to each card. He used the tricks that he learned in his lesson, like how the 9 wants to be 10 and he sucks 1 from the other addend. He got very quick at his facts while we played this game! It took about five minutes to go through the deck (maybe less) and he got practice on so many facts without it feeling like a "drill". I also printed these out on cardstock and put them on a metal ring. It's nice to have these at my fingertips when I want to play a game with Titus. There are also 17 "Build, Write, Say" activities you can do with your child. These activities incorporate the "Build, Write, Say" method that Math-U-See uses and use the integer blocks
Also included in the Digital Pack are online drills, a worksheet generator, digital manipulatives, and addition and subtraction facts mastery charts. I printed out the addition facts mastery chart and color in the facts that he can recall without any hesitation. When he gets the chart colored in completely, we will have an ice-cream treat! Then we will move on the subtraction facts and print out the subtraction mastery chart.
There are also videos included in the Digital Pack that range from how to use the Build, Write, Say method to how to fade from using the integer blocks. I watched these short videos and they really helped me visualize and implement the methods Math-U-See uses.
AIM has an assessment you are to use before you begin the AIM program. It's very simple and doesn't take too long. You simply read the fact problems on the sheet to your child orally, and they answer. If they answer within 3 seconds without using fingers or counting, you mark it as mastered. If they don't, you leave it blank. This gives you a good idea of where your child is and if this would be a good program for your child.
We are very impressed with this program, and will continue to use it until Titus has mastered all of his addition and subtraction facts. He likes to do it, it doesn't really feel like "schoolwork", and I can see results already. The AIM for Addition and Subtraction program sells for $39, which is a great price for everything you receive!
Check out what other homeschool parents thought of this program by clicking the banner below!
The Resource Guide is very similar to a Teacher's Guide. Each lesson is on a 2-page spread, with 4 "sessions". Session A is Present Lesson Instruction. It has the same information as the lesson video in the Digital Pack. Session B is Demonstrate Understanding. This section has several word problems that your child will use the Build, Write, Say method to show that he understands the concept. Session C is Transition Math Facts to Visual Memory. If your child can draw, write, and say the math facts from this lesson you move on. If not, you keep practicing those facts. Session D is Assess for Mastery. You use the flashcards to check your child's mastery of the facts from the lesson.You can color the addition facts mastery chart and move on to the next lesson, or keep practicing until your child masters the facts.
The AIM Digital Pack includes many helpful resources, like "Fast Fact Check-Ins", which is a collection of 8 different activities you can do with your child throughout the day to drill their facts. For example, Titus loved playing "Rock, Paper, Scissors, Fact!" We would play a round of rock, paper, scissors, and the loser had to flip over a fast fact card and say the answer. He loves playing rock, paper, scissors, so we would play this over and over. I printed out the "Fast Fact Check-Ins" on cardstock, cut them out, and put them on a metal ring so I can quickly pull it out and choose an activity.
Fast Fact Check In cards
The Digital Pack also includes 14 "Review Activities", which are similar to the "Fast Fact Check-Ins", but more involved. These are the games that Titus loves so much! His favorite is the first one - "Sum Solitaire." This was pretty simple, yet fun and effective. We turned a deck of cards face down and I would give him a number, like 9. We took turns turning the cards over and adding 9 to each card. He used the tricks that he learned in his lesson, like how the 9 wants to be 10 and he sucks 1 from the other addend. He got very quick at his facts while we played this game! It took about five minutes to go through the deck (maybe less) and he got practice on so many facts without it feeling like a "drill". I also printed these out on cardstock and put them on a metal ring. It's nice to have these at my fingertips when I want to play a game with Titus. There are also 17 "Build, Write, Say" activities you can do with your child. These activities incorporate the "Build, Write, Say" method that Math-U-See uses and use the integer blocks
Review Activity cards
You can see he is almost finished with the addition facts mastery chart!
There are also videos included in the Digital Pack that range from how to use the Build, Write, Say method to how to fade from using the integer blocks. I watched these short videos and they really helped me visualize and implement the methods Math-U-See uses.
AIM has an assessment you are to use before you begin the AIM program. It's very simple and doesn't take too long. You simply read the fact problems on the sheet to your child orally, and they answer. If they answer within 3 seconds without using fingers or counting, you mark it as mastered. If they don't, you leave it blank. This gives you a good idea of where your child is and if this would be a good program for your child.
We are very impressed with this program, and will continue to use it until Titus has mastered all of his addition and subtraction facts. He likes to do it, it doesn't really feel like "schoolwork", and I can see results already. The AIM for Addition and Subtraction program sells for $39, which is a great price for everything you receive!
Check out what other homeschool parents thought of this program by clicking the banner below!
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