Right now, my students are learning/reviewing addition facts and taking timed assessments. By the end of the year, we will go through all of the subtraction and half of the multiplication facts. So, finding a way to make our daily addition fact practice more interesting is welcomed.
Let me start this review from the very beginning. I opened the Rock 'N Learn: Addition & Subtraction Rap DVD case and the the disc was firmly in place but easy to get out. When there are kids all around you vying for your attention and you are wrestling a case for a disc, this does actually become a positive feature.
That aside, I previewed all of the programs prior to viewing it with the students. In my preview, I really liked that each chapter on the disc had its own mini-lesson. It took on chunks of facts rather than all of them at once. This is nice because I have been able to show certain clips as they are appropriate.
With that, the clips are short. Each being only a few minutes, it does not consume a great deal of time in the day. So, showing it as a review is not a big deal. I don't have to set aside special time to "show a video." I just cue up the part I want to show that day and in a few minutes (less than 5 minutes) the kids have had a review of our current facts. I have used this as a supplement to our normal facts lessons.
The "rap" is fun for the kids. Each rap has a theme, such as the "Adding Machine." They are clear, there isn't a question as to what the rapper said. It had a simple beat that the students were able to keep with the rapper. Plus, it was interactive. In the review sections, there is a wait time. The rapper asks, "4 plus 5 is..." And, there is a pause, or wait time, to give the students a chance to respond before the answer is given. Meaning, immediate feedback!
I have been using this for about a week and a half in class. With the last assessment (the first full week of using it) I saw noticeable gains in the students' speed and accuracy. Plus, the students ask me regularly if we can watch some of it because they too really enjoy it. Overall, I would recommend Rock 'N Learn's Addition and Subtraction Rap for any parent or teacher to help your children with addition and subtraction math facts.
Win your own copy of Rock 'N Learn's Addition and Subtraction Rap. All you have to do is join this blog, tweet the comment below on twitter, and post a comment with your e-mail address spelled out (jane at gmail dot com) by November 15th for a chance to win. For a second entry, subscribe to this blog. Email addresses will only be used to notify the winner. Shipping is restricted to the U.S. only.
*DVD was provided by Rock 'N Learn at http://www.rocknlearn.com/ for review, no money was exchanged as a result (please see terms of use).
Let me start this review from the very beginning. I opened the Rock 'N Learn: Addition & Subtraction Rap DVD case and the the disc was firmly in place but easy to get out. When there are kids all around you vying for your attention and you are wrestling a case for a disc, this does actually become a positive feature.
That aside, I previewed all of the programs prior to viewing it with the students. In my preview, I really liked that each chapter on the disc had its own mini-lesson. It took on chunks of facts rather than all of them at once. This is nice because I have been able to show certain clips as they are appropriate.
With that, the clips are short. Each being only a few minutes, it does not consume a great deal of time in the day. So, showing it as a review is not a big deal. I don't have to set aside special time to "show a video." I just cue up the part I want to show that day and in a few minutes (less than 5 minutes) the kids have had a review of our current facts. I have used this as a supplement to our normal facts lessons.
The "rap" is fun for the kids. Each rap has a theme, such as the "Adding Machine." They are clear, there isn't a question as to what the rapper said. It had a simple beat that the students were able to keep with the rapper. Plus, it was interactive. In the review sections, there is a wait time. The rapper asks, "4 plus 5 is..." And, there is a pause, or wait time, to give the students a chance to respond before the answer is given. Meaning, immediate feedback!
I have been using this for about a week and a half in class. With the last assessment (the first full week of using it) I saw noticeable gains in the students' speed and accuracy. Plus, the students ask me regularly if we can watch some of it because they too really enjoy it. Overall, I would recommend Rock 'N Learn's Addition and Subtraction Rap for any parent or teacher to help your children with addition and subtraction math facts.
Win your own copy of Rock 'N Learn's Addition and Subtraction Rap. All you have to do is join this blog, tweet the comment below on twitter, and post a comment with your e-mail address spelled out (jane at gmail dot com) by November 15th for a chance to win. For a second entry, subscribe to this blog. Email addresses will only be used to notify the winner. Shipping is restricted to the U.S. only.
Twitter: @classtoolsrev Visit http://bit.ly/llHsT for a chance to win a Rock 'N Learn DVD. Ends 11/15/09! RT
Good Luck!
*DVD was provided by Rock 'N Learn at http://www.rocknlearn.com/ for review, no money was exchanged as a result (please see terms of use).
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Sounds great! portraitwriter at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteJust tweeted!
We have Rock N Learn phonics and I love it. I wonder if it's from the same company.
ReplyDeleteCongrats, Gina. I will pass your email on to Rock 'N Learn!
ReplyDelete