Practice makes perfect, and IXL makes math practice fun!

Discovery School takes pride in having subscribed all our Elementary Students to  IXL. 

IXL is a Web-based educational tool that makes practicing math fun. Students can take on challenges that help them master the skills necessary to perform up to their grade level curriculum standards.

IXL motivates students using interactive games and exercises. It keeps teachers and parents informed and involved. IXL offers more than 2,500 math skills (from pre-school through high school) in a dynamic and enjoyable environment suitable for any learning style. Students who use IXL are succeeding like never before. 

Just like the MAP assessments our students take three times a year, IXL questions automatically adapt to a student’s level as he works, becoming more or less challenging depending how well he is doing. The system tracks progress, and provides “awards” (pictures) after a certain number of questions are answered.

If a student misses a problem, a popup screen gives the correct answer and displays an “explanation” button. Clicking the button brings up a simple explanation of the skill. In some cases this is enough to explain a new skill with which the student is not familiar, but not always. Therefore, IXL Math is sued by our teachers as a supplement to math instruction, and not as a primary source of instruction.

The system is designed to present quite a few questions of a single type each time. Students can end at any time by clicking “submit and finish,” but they won’t earn awards until spending a certain amount of time and completing a minimal number of problems. Some students prefer completing all problems on a topic in one sitting (demonstrating mastery). For others answering the same type of problem over and over again can become boring. For example, a student who gets easily bored might solve ten multiplication problems, ten division problems, and ten fraction problems one day, and then either continue in those same topics the next day or shift to others. Parents will probably want to direct topic selection if students are not completing the topics in order, or are nor following the teacher directed skills for that week.

Once of the features that are greatly enjoyed by students is that once the student types in or clicks an answer, the response is immediate. A large “Correct!” appears to show they answered correctly.  The system tracks progress, and provides “awards” (pictures) after a certain number of questions are answered, and the skill is mastered. Student and class reports are emailed regularly to the classroom teacher.

Each student has been issued a user name and password, which should be used to practice at home. We encourage our Discovery parents to look for the IXL skills that the elementary students should be practicing every week in the grade blog. Parental support in using this amazing tool is greatly appreciated! 

At Discovery School parental involvent is crucial. Research shows that children do better in school when parents talk often with teachers and become involved in the school. There are number of ways that parents and teachers can communicate with each other, rather than relying on or waiting until the scheduled parent-teacher conferences in the school calendar. Close communications between parents and teachers can help the students succeed in school.

Parents who participate in school activities and events add opportunities to communicate with teachers. Becoming involved with parent-teacher organizations (our DPTO) gives the teachers and parents the possibility to interact outside the classroom.

 

Teachers welcome meeting their students' parents early in the school year. Making an effort to do this will help the teacher better understand you, your child, and how you will support the education of your child. Teachers appreciate knowing that parents are concerned and interested in their child's progress. And, this helps open the lines of communication.

Another good investment in your child's education is to volunteer. Depending upon parent's availability, interests, and the needs of your child’s grade, the opportunities are endless. Some suggestions include: library aid, classroom speaker on a specific topic of interest, chaperone school field trips, organize class celebrations or special activities, ect . We encourage parents to take stock of their skills and interests to volunteer.

Phone calls and visits to the classroom are also good ways to cooperate with teachers and keep informed about your child's progress. Discuss appropriate times and means of contact with the teacher.

Parent-teacher conferences are often scheduled at the time of the first report card for the school year, and attendance is mandatory at Discovery School. For parents and teachers, this is a chance to talk one-on-one about the student. The parent-teacher conference is a good opportunity to launch a partnership between parent and teacher that will function during the school year, but parents need not wait until this time.

Stop by your child’s classroom, get to know his/her teacher. Your child will perceive your interest and become more motivated to do well in school!