Math Playground Review

Math
Written By Manisha Snoyer (co-founder of Modulo)

Math Playground was founded in 2002 by Colleen King, a mathematics educator looking to provide an engaging platform for her students to practice math concepts. King developed the website to assist students who required extra help in mastering math fundamentals through interactive and fun activities. Her experience in education, particularly in teaching math, has shaped Math Playground into a resource that blends learning with entertainment, aiming to make math accessible and enjoyable for children​ (Math Playground Makes Math Fun!)​.

Accomplishments

Since its inception, Math Playground has expanded significantly, becoming a go-to educational resource for millions of users annually. It is recognized for its adherence to COPPA compliancy rules, ensuring a safe environment for children to explore and learn. The site's dedication to educational content is further demonstrated through its partnership with safe advertising networks and its certification as kidSAFE​ (Math Playground Makes Math Fun!)​.

Unique Features

What sets Math Playground apart in the crowded field of educational websites is its extensive range of games that cover a wide spectrum of math topics, from simple addition and subtraction to more complex topics like fractions, geometry, and pre-algebra. The platform is particularly known for its "Thinking Blocks" feature, which helps students tackle math word problems visually, enhancing their problem-solving skills​ (Math Playground Makes Math Fun!)​​ (Math Playground Makes Math Fun!)​.

Overview and Functionality

Math Playground offers a diverse array of games and activities categorized by grade levels (from 1st to 6th grade) and math topics. The site is designed with vivid graphics and user-friendly interfaces to keep children engaged. It also includes features like "Fraction Forest" and "Puzzle Playground," which provide thematic learning adventures that promote critical thinking and mathematical reasoning​ (Math Playground Makes Math Fun!)​.

Educational Content

The educational content on Math Playground encompasses a broad range of math concepts, each designed to reinforce learning through practice and interactive play:

  • Arithmetic Skills: Activities designed to enhance basic arithmetic skills including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

  • Geometric Concepts: Games that introduce and develop an understanding of shapes, spaces, and measurements.

  • Basic Algebra: Introductory activities for algebra, preparing students for more complex mathematical studies.

  • Problem Solving: Various games aimed at improving logical thinking and problem-solving abilities.

  • Visual Learning Tools: 'Thinking Blocks' and other visual aids that help students understand and solve math word problems​ (Math Playground Makes Math Fun!)​​ (Math Playground Makes Math Fun!)​.

Strengths and User Feedback

Users often praise Math Playground for its engaging and educational content that makes learning math less daunting and more enjoyable for children. The games are designed to be intuitive, encouraging children to explore mathematical concepts through play. This has made it a popular choice among both parents and educators looking for effective educational tools​ (Math Playground Makes Math Fun!)​.

Areas for Improvement

While Math Playground is highly appreciated for its educational value, some users feel that the interface could be updated to be more modern, as some parts of the website feel somewhat dated. Additionally, while there is a vast array of games, finding specific topics can sometimes be a bit overwhelming due to the sheer volume of content available​ (Math Playground Makes Math Fun!)​.

Integrating into Homeschooling

For homeschooling parents, Math Playground offers a flexible and engaging supplement to traditional math curricula. Starting with simpler games can help build foundational skills, with the option to progress to more challenging games as the child's confidence and abilities grow. The visual and interactive nature of the games makes them particularly useful for children who benefit from seeing concepts in action. Parents are encouraged to incorporate these games as part of a balanced educational approach, using them to reinforce topics covered in more structured learning sessions​ (Math Playground Makes Math Fun!)​.

Ideal user

Math Playground is ideally suited for elementary school students who enjoy interactive and visually engaging learning experiences. It's particularly beneficial for students who need extra practice with basic math skills or those who learn better through visual and interactive means.

Not a fit for

However, it may not be as suitable for older students who are beyond elementary math levels or those who require a more traditional and structured curriculum​ (Math Playground Makes Math Fun!)​​ (Math Playground Makes Math Fun!)​.

Grades Covered: 1st through 6th Grade

Cost: Free access with optional premium features for additional content.

Availability: Math Playground can be accessed online, with no installation required, making it easily accessible from any device with internet connectivity​ (Math Playground Makes Math Fun!)​.

Math Playground stands out as a comprehensive educational tool that makes math fun and accessible for children, fostering a love for learning through interactive play and creative problem-solving.

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Manisha Snoyer (co-founder of Modulo)

For the last 20 years, I’ve taught over 2000 children in 3 countries (of all socio-economic backgrounds). I pioneered an English language program in a conflict region in the Middle East. I’ve worked as a bilingual public school teacher at some of the highest and lowest performing public schools and in all five boroughs of NYC. I’ve tutored 18 subjects in three languages to some of the wealthiest families in NYC, San Francisco and Paris to make up for shortcomings in private schools they were paying up to $60,000 a year to attend.

Since 2015, I’ve helped hundreds of parents start microschools (way before this was a household buzzword). I founded CottageClass, the first marketplace for microschools and learning pods that was part of the Techstars 2018 class. In 2019, I created a virtual learning program to help families through the pandemic, a free online math tutoring program (masteryhour.org), and schoolclosures.org, a hotline developed in collaboration with Twilio and 80 other partners including Khan Academy, Revolution Foods and the Crisis Text Line, that served 100,000 families impacted by school closures.

I’ve climbed trees with children in forest schools in San Francisco, and tested new digital apps with kids in seven countries.

I’ve also coached dozens of families at different stages in their homeschooling journey. Most recently, I founded Modulo with homeschooling dad, best-selling author and tech entrepreneur Eric Ries, to help families curate their children’s education, social and childcare experiences drawing from a diverse array of in-person and online resources.


During the last three years, I’ve devoted much of my time to reviewing and testing secular homeschooling curriculum and other resource. I’ve spent the last three years talking to thousands of secular homeschooling families, and poring over tens of thousands of secular curriculum reviews and testing physical curriculum and digital apps for with hundreds of students to find the highest quality, most engaging, personalized learning materials for every type of learner.

I’ve spoken about homeschooling and modular learning at multiple venues including SXSW EDU, NY Tech Meetup, and on the LiberatedEd podcast.

In 2022, Modulo was one of 8 organizations who were awarded the Bridge Grant from the Vela Education Fund to expand access to homeschooling and modular learning to under-resourced communities.

My experience in education and homeschooling has led me to believe that there is no perfect education for every child, but families have an extraordinary amount of wisdom they can apply to building the perfect education for their individual child.

My goal with Modulo is to make it possible for any family to easily build a customized education that their child will love, and that will empower the whole family to thrive, taking into account, social, emotional and academic needs.

I love to answer questions from parents and receive feedback on how we can improve Modulo, so feel free to reach out anytime! I personally answer all the questions and comments readers leave on my blogs.

In my free time, I like hiking, traveling the world, tasting ceremonial grade matcha, enjoying dark chocolate.

I graduated Summa Cum Laude from Brandeis University with highest honors, with a double degree in French Literature and American Studies and minors in Environmental Studies and Peace & Conflict Studies.

And I love to learn!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/manisha-snoyer-5042298/
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