UberSmart Math Facts {a Crew Review}

There aren’t too many children out there who claim math to be their favorite subject. In general, it isn’t because they have an innate hatred for the subject of arithmetic but because they have a hard time memorizing the basic foundational blocks of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.  Enter UberSmart Software and their product UberSmart Math Facts. We were given the opportunity to review the downloadable math fact memorization tool in our homeschool.

Because it is a downloadable software, once you purchase the program for $24.95, it is yours to keep forever, with free upgrades whenever available. It is only compatible with Windows 7, 8, XP and Vista for the time being. (Sorry Mac users!) In a home setting, you can put the software on any number of computers as long as they are for your personal use at home. The only drawback is that the different computers won’t be synced so the info and scores retained on each of the computers will be different. It can be used with 8 or more different student accounts, which could totally include you Mom and Dad!

Since the program covers the wide range of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division it is recommended for grades K-6 but realistically, who couldn’t use a little brush up on their math facts memorization? I know I could! Both my 6^th grader and sophomore used the program a few times a week and it was a great refresher for each of them.

Created by computer programmer and homeschool dad, David Kocur, the program teaches the old fashioned way (the way I learned in school!) with a flashcard and test approach.

It takes three different approaches in teaching the math facts:

Dot Cards (like counting the faces of dominoes)

 

Keyboard Entry

 

Flashcards (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division)

 

How does the testing work?

There is no set time or place to test. As the parent (or for the older student) you decide when to take the tests. The scores are recorded and progress can be seen. The tests are timed but you can adjust the timing allowed for each student. Not only are scores kept but the students’ response time is also kept. The students are given the choice to skip problems during the tests and those problems go to the “end of the deck”. My kids quickly found out that even if they skip a problem or two, the test will not be considered complet until all the problems have been answered (wrong or right). I found it neat that at the end of each test, the program literally applauds the student, encourages and then instructs the kids on how to proceed. Did I mention the fun certificates of completion you can print off? I'm all about visuals to show accomplishment!

 

For added practice, UberSmart offers FREE worksheets for each of the four areas: addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. The worksheets are handy for any "carschool" that may happen during the week. I know there are some days it seems we spend the entire day in the van, so having something we can slap on a clip board and take with us is always a plus.

If you are a try-before-you-buy kind of person, UberSmart offers a free 30-day trial.

My bottom line

For the price, capability for multiple student use and lifetime usage I'd say UberSmart is a good asset to any homeschool. It's nice to have a simple program to help identify any small gaps in the basic memorization of math fact. This is a program we will come back to again and again to keep their (and my own) mental math up to par! Thank you UberSmart for this opportunity!

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