Math is a dirty word.  Right?  Truthfully I would rather be doing creative writing with my children than going over math facts.  I am also especially feaful of missing important steps, processes or building blocks in math with them because it really is a building process.  So I have to say up front that of all the math helps we have tried, Quarter Mile Math is by far the most awesome we have used yet.  It is not a stand-alone curriculum (although could be for younger children preschool to first grade age), however, is meant to be used as a tool of motivation.  We tried out the Deluxe Version 1,2 and 3 for Grades K-9.  There are 323 topics to choose from.  I thought I would start out with my 6-year-old.  We logged in and set up an account for him (each child has their own separate account so they can track their individual progress – up to 12 can join on one account).  For this version you do need an internet connection to set it up, but students will never go on the web and the program can be downloaded to your desktop.  So easy greasy, we’re ready to go!

We chose Keyboarding Topics, single digit numbers.  Since my little pumpkin does not yet know where all the letters are on the keyboard, I though this would be a great place to start, something simple to familiarize him with finding his letters on the keypad.  You can be either a race car or a horse (not a race horse, just a good old fashioned horse).  So race car engine revving, he started the race.  A letter pops up on the screen and he has to quickly find the letter and key it in.  As he correctly keys in the answer his car starts to go.  The faster you type in the correct answer the faster the car goes.

Here’s the cool part.  Every time he races his car moves over one place with his score.  After four races there are four cars and scores for him to race against.  Now he is challenged to beat his other scores by answering quicker and more efficiently.  He screams with delight every time he beats his old score.  What a great motivating tool!

The next time he logs on to “play” his high scores are still saved for the next race.  He can even race against other family members, who can play on other computers at the same time against each other or at different times.  This software is so versatile and easy to use.  We have started introducing new math concepts and using Quarter Mile Math for the application, to make sure they understand and also to increase their speed and efficiency.  Talk about a fun way to learn math!  The first time I asked my 11-year-old if she wanted to log on to her account at math time, she looked at me like I was crazy.  “You mean I get to play a game for math?”  Well, she was not going to argue.

The cost is so reasonable I cannot imagine not taking advantage of this great tool.  For the Deluxe Version it is$2.95 per family per month OR $19.95 per family per year OR $34.95 per family for two years.  Also, until September 30 Barnum Software is offering my readers a $5 discount on all products!  Just use Code 7E7A7