Learning Wrap-Ups has been a familiar name to me for several years, so I was intrigued by the chance to review their new online learning subscription at LearningPalette.com. Geared for grades K-5, LearningPalette.com offers educational activities for reading and math.
How We Used LearningPalette.com
Lil Sis (6) was the primary user for our review. She is just really getting the hang of using the computer and the mouse so she was glad to have the opportunity to use an online program for her schoolwork.
I logged her into the sessions, which leads to a screen that looks like the one above. From that screen, you can choose either math or reading activities. Within those two categories, there are subcategories to choose the topic and the level. For instance, math offers intro to algebra, intro to geometry, intro to data, and numeration. Within each of those topics, there are up to 12 choices for activity cards. Reading also had levels with subcategories like alphabet, rhyming words with pictures and with written words, vocabulary, and grammar. You can choose the activity card and then click the load button to bring up the card, which looks like this:
The student then is expected to determine the answer and drag and drop the correct marker onto the card. After you complete a card, you can then click on “check answers” to reveal green check marks for correct answers or red x’s for incorrect.
Lil Sis was immediately interested in the bright, bold primary colors and wanted to try it out right away. She wasn’t so interested in listening to my instructions before just diving in and dragging the markers around. Keep in mind that she is on the autism spectrum and sometimes following directions is difficult when she decides how things should be done her own way. She had some frustration that the markers didn’t always want to go the way she dragged them and were a little tricky to place. Once I practiced with her several times, it became easier.
I did think there was some lag and sometimes correct answers were marked as incorrect, even when I placed the markers myself. This can be very frustrating, especially if you want to have an accurate progress report. I wasn’t as concerned with the progress report because I sat with Lil Sis for all of her sessions so I directly observed how she was doing and what she completed.
Being a visual-tactile learner, this worked well for Lil Sis. Big Sis (12) tried some of the activities as well, but was quickly bored with the repetitive nature of the cards. Baby Girl (4) also sat in for some of the sessions and she liked the counting activities. After a few weeks of using the subscription, some of the interest has worn off and Lil Sis is ready to set it aside for a time. We will return to it again, I’m sure, but this is not a full curriculum website. It is good for practice, just like flashcards or other learning device for occasional use. If your child needs repetition and a visual aid to learn best, this would probably be a good fit.
Navigation of the site was simple. We had no problems logging in and getting to the activities.
The Fine Print
A Full Online Family Subscription for all levels of Reading/Math Palettes instruction, up to 5 users for a full year, is $59.99. You can save 20% with the coupon code HOMESCHOOL at checkout.
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