Last Updated on August 1, 2024 by Sarah McCubbin
If you have a child that struggles to understand math, We Play Math is a unique program for K-3 students that combines math problems with games, live classes and enrichment activities. This variety of learning options is a good way to reach students of all learning styles!
As a mom of nine kids, I have purchased more math curriculum than I care to admit. Over the past 17 years, we have tried everything from intense academic curriculum to flash cards and animated math games…always changing to find what would work for each student as needed. What I found is that a curriculum that worked well for one child might not be the right answer for another one. Some of my kids thought math was easy and others STRUGGLED!
Have you ever been in a room of kids and heard them say, “I’m not good at math?” We have all heard it or said it at some point! But often, that really means a person hasn’t been taught math in a way that makes sense for them. My favorite example is my daughter who is in high school. All through elementary, middle and early high school, she was terrible at math. If I was grading, she would have been failing. When she went to school, she was barely passing math despite intensive tutoring.
And then she took a high school Geometry class with an amazing teacher. Suddenly this girl who was barely passing math was getting A’s and B’s. I was so confused. She didn’t need tutoring. She just did her math and understood it. Her brother who was 2 grades younger took the same class and he loved it too. They would come home and talk about what a great teacher she was!
I felt terrible and blessed at the same time…this girl had struggled so hard because she hadn’t had a teacher who could explain it the right way!
Something I’ve noticed over many years of homeschooling and working with homeschoolers is that parents can become weary when their child is struggling with a subject. I have for sure. IF that is you…I’m so excited about this amazing resource that can help those of us with young kids feel confident while they are in elementary!!
** This is a sponsored post. I received this product or compensation for review purposes only and was compensated for my time. I was not asked nor required to share a positive review; all opinions are my own. READ DISCLAIMER HERE for more information.
Table of Contents
Key to Math Success
A huge key to teaching success in ANY subject but especially math is to work with a child’s learning style AND attention span to teach them the content. Some students love book learning and have a long attention span. They can thrive with almost any curriculum. But other kids might need a slower pace, more visual or hands on learning and a variety of reinforcement to understand a concept.
If you have a student that is struggling with math, it is important to take a step back and reevaluate. Learning how to teach your child is a huge part of the homeschooling journey!
When you have a child in elementary school, this should be one of your primary goals – to learn how they learn.
Recently I had a chance to use and review We Play Math for K-3 students. Honestly, I’ve used a BUNCH of online and digital math options. I’m familiar with the choices out there. BUT, I have never seen a program that appealed to ALL the learning styles quite like this one.
Let me show you what I mean:
How We Play Math Works for K-3rd Grade Students
We Play Math operates on the belief that everyone can succeed in math with the right support and materials. Using a combination of systematic learning and interactive games along with hands on learning and live help and a paid tutoring option, students have all the tools they need to solve math questions using their learning style! Most curriculum give two or three options for learning and practicing a new concept. But nearly all of them lack a live teacher component!! I love that there are TWO live teacher options in this program!
As students work through We Play Math, they will use the following elements to learn different math concepts. Your child may not need them all. But having options is like having a complete low prep set of tools at your disposal. Think of it as being on the “winning team” of elementary math where you have all your child needs right at your finger tips.
Most of the work in We Play Math is designed to be a self-paced math class but there is a live options as well.
1. Videos
Inside the student account, each concept is explained in 3-10 minute animated videos. These videos provide a quick and engaging way to understand new topics.
2. Daily Games
Math is all about patterns, and We Play Math helps students recognize these patterns through daily 5-10 fun minute math review games. These games include arcade-style games, drag and drop games, matching games, card games, and more. They offer a fun way to practice different ways of learning math skills and get immediate feedback to correct any mistakes.
3. Written Assignments
Writing is an important skill for learning and retention. There is something about putting a pencil to a piece of paper that helps our brains remember important math skills! Each lesson includes a written assignment with riddles, number mazes, puzzles, and essential math practice problems. These assignments help reinforce what students have learned and ensure they understand the concepts thoroughly.
You can print these for free on We Play Math or buy the printed workbooks on Amazon!
4. Enrichment Activities
For those who want to dive deeper, We Play Math offers optional enrichment activities. These include hands-on math labs, math conversations, jokes, riddles, puzzles, and pattern-seeking activities. These activities build number sense and show how math connects to real life, like Data Science and Machine Learning.
5. Live Learning Labs
Students can join weekly Live Learning Labs in small groups where they can bring their questions and work through problems collaboratively. This is a great way to ensure no student falls behind and everyone gets the help they need. Sometimes one student shows up and sometimes it’s several. But kids can bring their questions there to get them answered live.
Classes meet every Friday for one hour. There a separate class for each level.
6. Paid Tutoring Option
Math concepts are like building blocks. And when kids don’t understand one key idea, it can affect their ability to progress. If you have tried to help your child and they just don’t “get it,” We Play Math offers inexpensive math tutoring in 15 minute increments. It’s just enough time for them to drop in and progress where they are stuck so they can go back to regular lesson!
7. Parent Portal
In addition to this, the parent portal does keep up to date progress reports and answer keys for each set of questions for incorrect answers so you can check your students work quickly and easily. Each element of this premium membership is easily accessed in the parent portal making this a great math option with very little prep.
“I created We Play Math so you can give your children the math education they need, without having to sacrifice yourself any more than you already do.” Amy Saunders-Founder We Play Math
What My Kids & I Loved About We Play Math
I have two kids who tried We Play Math. My daughter is in 1st grade and my son is doing 3rd grade math.
1. My kids loved that there was a lot going on. Each part of the lesson is 3-10 minutes making it perfect for short attention spans.
2. They loved the fun game arcade where they could drill facts and concepts without help from me!
3. They liked the colorful workbook pages which make math fun!
4. Lessons are fun and require a short set amount of time. This is perfect for my son who becomes easily overwhelmed by math.
5. As a mom, I love that so many math barriers are removed with We Play Math. I love that it covers all the learning styles, that is has live help and that I can get an actual workbook instead of printables if I need it.
6. Also as a mom, I love that this does not require much time to prep but offers a high educational value and meets my educational goals for math for my younger elementary students.
FAQ About We Play Math
How much does We Play Math cost?
We Play Math offers both single and family memberships with month to month and annual options.
See current pricing here
Can You Use We Play Math with older students?
We Play Math is designed for students in grades K-3. However, if you have a student that is working below grade level, We Play Math would be a great option for practicing core skills and building math confidence!
Can I Use This With Another Curriculum?
Yes, you could use We Play Math as an easy way to supplement another math curriculum. If you have a traditional curriculum you like, you could pair this with another option to solidify skill, drill skills and play fun online games!
Is This Curriculum Open and Go?
Almost. When you buy the curriculum, take some time to go through the parent and student portals. If you need to print worksheets, do that. Or go ahead and order the workbooks off Amazon. I would also recommend working through a lesson without your student so you can understand how the lessons flow.
We Play Math transforms the way students view and learn math. By incorporating games, videos, and hands-on activities, We Play Math offers parents a way to confidently check math off the list. Whether you want to use it as a complete curriculum for your K-3 student or as a supplement, it is the perfect way to build math confidence. Pairing fun math review games with a solid elementary curriculum it offers a high educational value without the stress for parents!
Can My Child Work On This Math Independently?
If your child is an independent reader, they will be able to do most of the curriculum without help. However, if your child is still learning to read, expect to help read the instructions and be available to help with some lessons that require reading to to the activities.
Will This Help My Child Learn Their Math Facts and Time’s Tables?
Yes! Gamified math is the easiest way to learn math facts. Kids don’t even realize they are learning as they try to beat the games that drill their math facts over and over!
Is We Play Math Common Core Aligned?
No. We Play Math is not common core aligned and will not be in the future.
Cover ALL The Learning Styles With We Play Math
Whether you are like me (someone who has tried ALL the different curriculum) or if you are just getting started, let me offer this thought from years of homeschooling experience. Choose a math curriculum and supplementary resources that build on your child’s strengths.
Some call that “Strength-Based Learning.” I call it being smart. Children learn the easiest when they lean on their learning strengths.
We Play Math was specifically designed to help students learn whether they are visual, auditory or hand’s on learners. With resources to support each learning style, kids will thrive when they access the components that work with their learning style!
Sarah McCubbin and her husband and 9 kids live in Ohio. She loves talking about all kinds of education topics and is passionate about helping families find the best education options in each season! Socially awkward growing up, she loves to help families teach life skills, social skills and leadership.
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