Counting Pinecones: LearnBop (A Schoolhouse Crew Review)

Math Help, Math Tutor, Online Math Tutor, Tutoring, Statistics, Geometry, Algebra, Pre-algebra, Trigonometry, Math Problems, Fractions, Decimals

We've made major advances in our math learning in recent months but there are still a few roadblocks that we are having, especially with Garrett. So for the last few weeks, the kids have been getting extra math help by using LearnBop for Families by LearnBop, an online math tutoring subscription that provides personalized math help for grades 3rd though 12th grade. We were given a 1 year subscription for both Ashleigh and Garrett to the LearnBop for Families Family Plan which includes up to 4 students (A single student subscription for the LearnBop for Families is also available).

What is LearnBop?

LearnBop is a highly adaptive math program that allows students to work at their own pace while providing detailed instruction on math concepts. This allows them to get not only caught up but build an understanding on concept that may have slipped past them in their main math curriculum and build their confidence. The program helps to identify learning gaps and then works to close those gaps in a step-by-step approach that adapts to your child's needs.

Students select a learning pathway that the program calls a "Roadmap" that is selected either by Grade (3rd through 8th) or math subject (such as Functions or Statistics). A separate selection of Roadmaps are also available for high school classes such as Algebra 1, Algebra 2 and Geometry. Each Roadmap is divided into math subjects (for the 3rd Grade level these included subjects such as Introduction to Multiplication and Division, Adding and Subtraction Strategies, and exploring Patterns).

Roadmap for 3rd Grade on the left with Subject lesson on the right

Each subject starts with a short "Warm-up" which allows for an assessment of what the student already knows on the subject. After the "Warm-up", students are given a list of instructional videos that introduce core concepts.

Sample of one of the Videos

Afterwards, the students then take their turn at solving the "Bops", which is the final assessment to see if the core concepts were learned. Bops are made up of questions that review the subject - if a student misses one of the questions, LearnBop redirects the questions to find out how many of the steps the student understands and where they are confused. Once the confusion is identified, the Bop continues to direct the student in the right direction to help them to understand that step so that they can move on. Then, the Bop is continued until a mastery of 90% is achieved.

Achievements and Progress are all tracked both on the Parent's as well as the Student's Dashboard. These show how many Bops the student attempted, how much time they have spent using the program, how many videos they have watched and how many achievements they have been awarded.

How We Used It:

We went into this review knowing it was for 3rd grade and up, which was a bit higher than my 2nd graders, who are currently transitioning to 3rd grade. However, there was plenty for the kids to work on and review.

Garrett has really struggled with the concept of Rounding numbers. I don't know if it's part of his Autism or just another one of his quirks, but for whatever reason, his mind just seems to have issues with doing rounding. Garrett sees the exactness of numbers and it's very hard for him to do estimates because it goes against that exactness that he expects.

Just our luck, there was an entire section in the Place Value subject that worked on Rounding to the nearest 10 and nearest 100. So we spent A LOT of time on this particular area and it really seemed to help him get a better grasp on the concept.

I absolutely love how there are small quotes to encourage students even when they make mistakes. This one was one of our favorites as we did go through this program very slowly.

We have just started to attempt the multiplication/division section. Ash and Garrett both have a bit of knowledge of their Times Tables thanks to a previous review so even though we haven't officially taught them in our math curriculum. And I'm really looking forward to using this program more as we start our 3rd grade year in October.