In an online world filled with mind numbing games and "educational" websites, K5 Learning stands alone. K5 is a unique site filled with enrichment activities that help your child academically instead of entertaining them for a week or two, leaving them bored and ready for the 'next thing'.Previously I had independently reviewed this website. Then in addition, I had the privilege of reviewing it for the TOS Review Crew.We LOVED it the first time, but I wondered if my kids would still be as enthused weeks later. Read on and see...
The basics of K5 from their website:
What is K5?
K5 Learning is an online reading and math enrichment program for kids in kindergarten to grade 5. Designed principally for after school study and summer study, K5 is also used by homeschoolers, preschoolers and gifted kids. K5 helps your children build good study habits and excel in schoolWatch K5's Introduction Video!
Lessons are selected automatically
In K5 Reading and K5 Math, lessons are selected automatically based on each child's grade level, past lessons and assessments (if done). This ensures that kids progress in a logical manner and don't just do "fun" lessons or repeat lessons they have already mastered. Parents can also make assignments for their kids.Lesson Levels
Lessons are divided into- 5 reading skill areas (phonemic awareness, phonics, sight words, vocabulary, and reading comprehension), and
- 3 math skill areas (numbers & operations, geometry and measurement).
See a variety of sample lesson from Kindergarten through 5th grade HERE!
OUR EXPERIENCE:
Did my children still enjoy K5 almost 12 weeks later? YES! Both my 3rd and 5th graders were still as eager to do it 3-5 times a week as they were on day one. I believe that it's because the program augments the lessons that they struggle with and cements those lessons that they have already conquered in their daily homeschool learning.
This time around I did more tweaking of lessons to target their problem areas and it has been a blessing. This was especially true for my 5th grader in the area of fractions. I was easily able to navigate the site, get into the areas he really needed help in, assign those specific lessons and then monitor his improvement. K5 has really helped my visual learner to remember how to deal with fractions because of the interactive, progressive lessons.
While my 3rd grader is strong in Math, she benefited most from the Math Facts Area. This is also a unique part of the program as the student learns the operations in smaller chunks using real life situations as compared to straight drilling of a given number family. This definitely helped 'stick' the answers in her head.
Conversely, my 3rd grader is weaker in reading. During the first review period as suggested by K5, I purposely kept her below her reading level so she could gain strength and confidence in her abilities. Then, this review period I moved her up to where I thought she *should* be. Holding my breath, I was very pleased to see her excel both in ability and attitude!
For my 5th grader, who's always been a good reader with a strong vocabulary, this section was not so beneficial to him. But, it did show me that his abilities in reading comprehension and vocabulary were rock solid.
And as last time, we have ALL enjoyed the Spelling Area. The reason why this is our favorite part of the website is because it's not your typical 'learn, regurgitate, and then forget it' spelling program. Words that are missed are continued into the next days' spelling list until they are mastered. K5's spelling works wonders with all learning styles.
K5's Spelling sequence goes something like this: After the spelling word is read, your student can either hear it again, read the definition or hear it in a sentence. Next, the student types the word. If it's correct, the program advances you to the next word. If it's missed, the student gets a second chance. K5 gives you a "fill in the blank" word with the correct letters that the student has already typed. The student then fills in the remaining blanks and practices the world. At the end of the pre-set number of questions, the missed words are revisited.
See for yourself how wonderful spelling can be!
It is also easy for the parent to access the Spelling List and input their own list of words, change the number of words in the list and check on their child's progress.
I have reviewed many online programs both for my blog and for my own personal curiosity. Frankly, there's a lot of mindless fluff out there. While doing something for enrichment is not always necessary, if a family has the money and wants to supplement their homeschool, I highly recommend K5!!
As for our family, this is the ONLY online resource that we have ever considered buying subscriptions for in our 9 years of homeschooling.
K5 Learning is for children Kindergarten through 5th grade.
Subscriptions run:
$25/month or $199/year for the first child. Additional students are $15/month or $129/year
Check out a free trial of K5 Learning at www.k5learning.com for your household. Please let them know Homeschool Circus sent you.
Here's what other crew members are saying!
I received a trial subscription free of charge in exchange for an honest review.
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