 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
CoolMath
Common Sense Media says
Info and games designed to boost math's fun factor.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Coolmath.com is a one-stop math shop for middle and high school students, and also has a helpful section for parents and teachers. There are a lot of ads, but other than that, it's a suitable place for kids to learn math and play educational games.
What kids can learn
Kids can learn math principles ranging from addition to calculus. Site sections feature geometry term definitions, graphing concepts, and other instruction. Each page contains a lot of elements, which can make navigation confusing; the ultra-bright color palette doesn’t help. CoolMath does a great job of clearly illustrating concepts using casual, conversational language -- answers are given with phrases like, “No way, dude!” -- and offers plenty of math problems to help kids practice their new number skills. Math games and more teach kids basic math concepts and application.
Subjects
- Language & Readingfollowing directions, reading
- Mathalgebra, arithmetic, geometry
- Science
- Social Studies
- Arts
- Hobbies
Skills
- Thinking & Reasoningapplying information, problem solving
- Creativity
- Self-Directionacademic development, personal growth
- Emotional Development
- Communication
- Collaboration
- Responsibility & Ethics
- Tech Skills
- Health & Fitness
What's it about?
Launched by a math teacher in 1997, COOLMATH offers info on addition, geometry, and other math concepts for grade-school- to high-school-aged kids. They can check out algebraic property definitions, learn multiplication tricks, or test out the online graphing calculator; separate sections also offer parents and teachers math-related activities and advice. The site also links to several other sites, including a math site for younger kids, coolmath4kids.com, and sites about teen stress management and other topics.
Is it any good?
Since 1997, math teacher "Coolmath Karen" has run this award-winning site to spark kids' interest in all things math. The online math dictionary and calculators alone are enough to teach most basic math concepts, including algebra and geometry. In addition to the main sections for math practice, games, a math dictionary, and lesson help, there are also sections for parents (how to help with math homework: crying isn't a good sign) and teachers (tricks for getting kids motivated in the classroom). It also links to a companion site for younger kids (coolmath4kids.com) and other teen-related sites (totallystressedout.com and FinanceFreak.com). If you're a mathphobe or love to play math games or are just stuck on a new math concept in school, you should add COOLMATH.COM as one of your bookmarks.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about why this math clearinghouse is so popular. What elements does it have that make math fun and understandable?
Coolmath.com's creator writes in detail about why the site contains a lot of ads. Families can talk about what they think of ads being on an educational site. Our parent tips on selling to kids will give you some talking points.
What kids can learn
Kids can learn math principles ranging from addition to calculus. Site sections feature geometry term definitions, graphing concepts, and other instruction. Each page contains a lot of elements, which can make navigation confusing; the ultra-bright color palette doesn’t help. CoolMath does a great job of clearly illustrating concepts using casual, conversational language -- answers are given with phrases like, “No way, dude!” -- and offers plenty of math problems to help kids practice their new number skills. Math games and more teach kids basic math concepts and application.
Subjects
- Language & Reading: following directions, reading
- Math: algebra, arithmetic, geometry
- Science:
- Social Studies:
- Arts:
- Hobbies:
Skills
- Thinking & Reasoning: applying information, problem solving
- Creativity:
- Self-Direction: academic development, personal growth
- Emotional Development:
- Communication:
- Collaboration:
- Responsibility & Ethics:
- Tech Skills:
- Health & Fitness:
How kids will learn
CoolMath provides detailed examples of how math concepts work -- and dozens of easy-to-play games that help kids test them out. Kids can, for example, find out about borrowing and subtraction, and then, as a frog, try in a game to catch numbers and solve an equation. The activities are a nice inclusion because the math explanations are well-written -- but if lengthy instructions were all the site offered, kids would probably log in learning time elsewhere.
How parents can help
- Read about and discuss the math concepts on the site with your kids.
- Give kids additional examples of the mathematical principles described on the site.
- Play the site games with kids and talk about what types of math are involved.
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
Adult
January 9, 2010
AGE
Mancala game cheats
I saw some students playing Mancala during a studyhall one day and thought I'd give in a try. After playing hundreds of games and keeping count on my own, I can safely state that the Mancala game is rigged. The computer cheats and when you play to a draw or even win the computer wins. I don't know why they have designed the site this way but they have. Maybe they make money the more time you spend there trying to win? All I know is the game is a cheat.
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Teen, 13 years old
April 9, 2008
AGE
Boringness pure boringness
This website is so boring i would rather watch grass grow. I might even rather sit on the TV and watch the couch!
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Kid, 12 years old
April 9, 2008
AGE
I love this website
You have to go on and try cofee shop and lemonade stand. I am 12 and have been going on coolmath for over a year.Some games are easy enough for an 8 year old but some may be too hard. Just be careful because you may become angry when you can not win the game.
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Kid, 12 years old
January 8, 2010
AGE
I say that this website is da best for 9 yrs nd up.It is educational nd fun at da same time..i liked it...but if ur bigger than 14 yrs then itll become kind of dumb.
What other families should know:
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Teen, 15 years old
January 11, 2010
AGE
Wat i thought of the game
I liked it it was awsome to me to most people i think they didnt like it. ZIt was funny and kinda kewl
What other families should know:
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Parent of 13 year old
January 7, 2010
AGE
Mrs Yglesias Earhart Middle School Review
I enjoyed using the Lemonade Stand game to teach my students about Microsoft Excel and Power Point. They played the game for 2 weeks keeping data about purchases and sales, created graphs and captured screen shots for their Power point presentation. I liked it.
What other families should know:
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Kid, 12 years old
February 7, 2011
AGE
This site
Well I did this site back when I was in 4th grade I saw and went on this site way back before I found out about this site It was kind of iffy and some of the other kids like it
What other families should know:
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Parent of 8 and 11 year old
October 1, 2010
AGE
Mixed bag with too many adverts
My 8 year old likes to play on this website - it was assigned as homework in 2nd grade. I am bothered by the many, intrusive adverts that pop up or are on screen all the time. Also not all the games seem to me to have much educational value. But coffee shop and lemonade stand certainly make her think.
What other families should know:
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Parent of 11 year old
September 24, 2010
AGE
perfect for the whole family
This math site is full of games that every member of your family will enjoy and learn from, from basics to games of skill and strategy. We all love it.
What other families should know:
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Parent of 6 year old
March 20, 2011
AGE
Good for my 6 year old, he likes crashing into cars with his taxi
Almost didn't give a 4 rating because it didn't have much relationship to actual math in the various games. Finally found the math games section, this website is pretty decent
What other families should know:
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| Genre: | Educational |
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