IXL Math

For members of the right-brain camp—like me—math can be a particular challenge. So it’s especially important for young learners to get a firm handle on the basics. And you know what that means—practice. The online resource IXL Math is a welcome alternative to dreary worksheets, presenting math quizzes for students in Pre-K to grade 3 in a visual way. A question on subtraction, for example, expresses the equation 3 – 3 as three pieces of toast x’ed out, while an exercise on making change uses images of actual currency. A sample bar graph compared bunches of daffodils, tulips, and daisies. How lovely is that?

Created by ed-tech outfit Quia, IXL involves a membership plan (with monthly and yearly options), but site visitors can answer 20 questions a day, free of charge. The kid-friendly format makes it easy for youngsters to work IXL solo. Meanwhile, teachers or parents can take advantage of member services, such as tracking of a student’s level in a particular skill and his or her improvement over time. Coming soon: content for grades 4–12 and state standards alignment.