Thinking Blocks
By Mieke VanderBorght,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Alternative approach to math has good design but little fun.
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this website.
Community Reviews
There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What’s It About?
Kids choose from four math topics -- addition, multiplication, fractions, and ratios -- and then a subtopic, such as adding two quantities. After reading a short word problem, kids get guidance to construct a model with blocks, label the blocks, assign numbers to each block, and finally solve the problem. Kids can see videos demonstrating each subtopic and can choose to track their progress and print a certificate of completion. The modeling tool allows kids to use preloaded word problems or write their own and then design their own block model from start to finish.
Is It Any Good?
THINKING BLOCKS uses a unique approach to representing sometimes complicated math concepts. The exercises force kids to think about each problem in a systematic step-by-step way, and videos and well-positioned hints help kids at each step (except when it's time to finally solve the problem, at which point the limited guidance is good but available only after kids enter an incorrect answer).
The site is clearly educational, but that's also its downfall. The alternative way to represent math might help some kids understand math better, especially if they're strong visual learners. Coming to understand something that was previously difficult can be rewarding in and of itself; however, interacting with the site feels like more work than fun, which might turn kids off.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Discuss how using the blocks to represent math problems can change the way your kids think about math.
Help your kids create their own word problems to solve.
Website Details
- Subjects: Math: addition, arithmetic, division, equations, fractions, multiplication, ratio, subtraction
- Skills: Thinking & Reasoning: applying information, defining problems, part-whole relationships
- Genre: Educational
- Pricing structure: Free
- Last updated: November 5, 2015
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Our Editors Recommend
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate