Galaxy of Education
www.MathGalaxy.com
430 W. Upsal Street
Philadelphia, PA 19119
215-848-3117
There are four versions of the Math Riddler
Worksheet Generators (see titles above), each on an individual
CD-ROM. The programs generate various worksheets for
practice in an extensive variety of mathematical operations,
from addition and subtraction to fractions and algebraic
equations. The programs simply allow parents to generate
worksheets in support of mathematical education; problems
are not completed on the computer, nor do the answers
provide step-by-step demonstration. Five hundred riddles
included in the programs offer an extra problem-solving
element. After answering various equations, students
input letters from various answers to reveal an answer
to a given riddle. (You may also choose to print out
worksheets without riddles.) Each worksheet offers the
option of printing a corresponding answer sheet. Worksheet
possibilities are unlimited because numbers are chosen
randomly, providing endless combinations of mathematical
equations and problems. The riddles are numbered; you
can specifically request a riddle by inserting the number
into the box at the bottom of the generator, or you can
have the computer choose one randomly. Spanning ages
from kindergarten to high school level, the Math Riddler
Worksheet Generators are appropriate for all of the various
levels of mathematics.
The Whole Numbers CD-ROM includes sections on Addition
(1-digit, 2-digit, 3-digit, 4-digit, and 5-digit problems),
Subtraction (1-digit, 2-digit, 3-digit, 4-digit, and
5-digit problems), Multiplication (1-digit, 2-digit,
3-digit, and 4-digit problems), Division (1-digit numbers,
1-digit Divisor, 2-digit Divisor, and 3-digit Divisor),
Expanded Notation (Hundreds, Thousands, Ten-thousands),
Rounding (Dollars, Tens, Hundreds, Thousands), Estimating
(Adding Tens, Adding Hundreds, Adding Thousands, 1-digit
Multiplier, 2-digit Multiplier), Number Patterns & Sequence
(One Operation, Multiple Operations), Order of Operations,
Telling Time, Money, and Word Problems (Easy, Harder,
Multi-step).
The Fractions CD-ROM includes sections on Fraction Pies,
Fractions on a Line, Equivalent Fractions, Comparing
Fractions (this section has no Riddle option), Reducing
Fractions (Reducing Fractions, Prime Factors, Reducing
with Greatest Common Factor), Improper Fractions (Improper
Fractions, Improper Fractions and Reducing), Add & Subtract
Like Fractions (Add & Subtract Like Fractions, Subtracting
Like Fractions), Adding Fractions & LCM (Lease Common
Multiple-LCM, Adding Different Fractions, Adding Mixed
Numbers), Subtracting Fractions (Subtracting Different
Fractions, Subtracting Mixed Numbers), Multiplying Fractions
(Multiplying Simple Fractions, Multiplying Mixed Numbers),
Dividing Fractions (Dividing Simple Fractions, Dividing
Mixed Numbers), and Word Problems.
The Decimals, Ratios and Proportions, and Percents CD-ROM
includes sections on Understanding Decimals, Comparing
Decimals, Multiplying & Dividing by Tens, Rounding Decimals
(Nearest Whole, Nearest Tenth, Nearest Hundredth, Nearest
Thousandth), Adding Decimals, Subtracting Decimals, Multiplying
Decimals (1-digit Multiplier, 2-digit Multiplier, 3-digit
Multiplier), Dividing Decimals (1-digit Divisor, 2-digit
Divisor, 3-digit Divisor), Decimal Word Problems (Decimal
Word Problems, Harder Word Problems, Multi-Step Word
Problems), Ratios & Proportions (Direct Proportions,
Inverse Variation, Both), Percents (Fractions to Decimals,
Decimals to Percents, Harder Percents), and Percent Word
Problems. Some of the print in the word problems becomes
quite small, an inherent problem in keeping the problems
to a one-page format.
The Algebra CD covers 26 topics, including Powers/Exponents,
Operations with Powers, Scientific Notation, Metric Notation,
Scientific Operations, Metric Operations, Order of Operations,
Operations with Parentheses, Negative Numbers, Factors,
Algebraic Properties, Translating to Algebra, More Translating,
Simplifying Expressions, More Simplifying, 1-Step Equations,
2-Step Equations, Unknown on Both Sides, Equations with
Parentheses, Equations with Fractions or Decimals, 1-Step
Inequalities, 2-Step Inequalities, Slopes of Lines, Linear
Equations, More Linear Equations, and Algebra Word Problems.
The riddles are identical on the four CDs and therefore
could potentially come up again when you have the computer
choose one at random. If the child remembers the riddle,
he or she could "cheat" by choosing answers based on
the riddle response, but that same aspect could allow
a student to be guided to correct answers when unsure,
building confidence. If you are using a "show your work" approach,
this shouldn't be a problem. (And, of course, you have
the option of avoiding the riddle.) Overall, the number
of possible worksheets is mind boggling, as are the many
specific target areas. Parents are able to focus on finer
areas of necessary practice by having the areas broken
down specifically. The problems are always randomly generated,
assuring different problems every single time. If a student
has a deficit in a particular area, worksheets may be
practiced without a riddle for as many times as necessary.
Then you could use the riddle worksheet as a celebration
of mastery. Some of the riddles will be inappropriate
for some age groups, too vague, or unacceptable in some
households, but this problem is easily remedied as parents
need only to generate another worksheet. (I can't imagine
anyone possibly going through all 500 riddles.) We did
not find any inappropriate for our Christian household,
although some were too vague for our fourth grader and
others were simply too ridiculous for our eleventh grader.
Parents will recall many of the riddles from childhood;
several brought a smile to my face. The excitement the
entire concept held for my fourth grader was wonderful
as he excitedly completed problems in order to solve
the riddle. The downside will be that as the riddle nears
completion, many children will skip the final problems
as they guess the end of the riddle. I would encourage
parents to require the child to complete all of the problems
before piecing together the riddle answers.
I was disappointed that the "Show Answers" option displayed
the answers in the same black color. A different color
would have helped tremendously. Also, because the 500
numbered riddles are the same for all four programs,
a chart or some other method of recording which riddles
have been used is a necessity if you plan to use the
generator consistently. For instance, if you choose Riddle
#341 for a worksheet on Metric Notation (Algebra CD)
and then choose it again for a worksheet on Dividing
Decimals (Decimals, Ratios and Proportions, and Percents
CD), the riddles will be identical, even though the various
math problems will be different and randomly generated
each time. There is no riddle number on the printed worksheet
after printing, so you will want to make a note of the
riddle number somewhere on the page and keep track of
the ones you've used in order to avoid repeats. As noted
previously, the program keeps the worksheets to one page,
so some of the print becomes incredibly small, particularly
in the word problems on riddle pages.
Various homeschool styles will find use for the Math
Riddler Worksheet Generators, and they are ideal for
larger families with multiple children, as parents can
target specific areas for different children. The riddles
offer a fun aspect to the traditional worksheet. Families
that dislike worksheets will not find much enjoyment
in the Math Riddler Worksheet Generator. Yet, for those
not using a textbook-style math curriculum (loaded with
page after page of problems), this product fills a gap
by providing necessary practice. We loved the benefit
of printing worksheets to address specific needs for
each of our children. And the riddles spurred our children
on to completion and took away the objections they sometimes
have toward math worksheets. I didn't appreciate having
to design a method to track which riddles we had used.
I wish the program offered something to fill that aspect
of using the generator, but we were able to draw out
different riddles for different areas and had no overlap.
The Math Riddler Worksheet Generators include a broad
range of mathematical levels, are incredibly easy to
use, and offer excellent practice for students who need
to work a few more problems in a given area of mathematics.
The giggles brought on by some of the riddles help take
the sting out of what can otherwise be a tedious part
of learning.
Product review by Donna Campos,
Senior Product Reviewer, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine,
LLC, August 2008
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