Finding an online curriculum that covers various age ranges can definitely be hard to do. Thankfully, IXL learning has been a one-stop shop for my Preschool, Kindergarten, and 5th-grade children. We were given the opportunity to review a full annual membership to IXL in all subjects.
IXL is an online curriculum that features lessons for students in preschool through 12th grade. Math and Language Arts are available from preschool through high school. Science and Social Studies are available for 2nd through 8th grade. All subjects are based on skill level for the various grades with the exception of math. After 8th grade, High schoolers are offered a chance to learn Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Geometry, Precalculus, and Calculus at their own pace. Spanish is also available with an easy to learn, seven unit approach that creates a strong foundation for fluency and confident communication.
Hear details about the subjects and how my children liked the program via our recent YouTube video.
Diagnostic tests are provided on the website to ascertain each child’s skill level and give lesson recommendations. I did request that my oldest son take the diagnostic test to gage what grade he should start working on. During testing, he was happy to be able to start and stop the as desired. There is also an option to choose which subject and skill you want to test on. Additionally, there is a place for you to note when you have not learned something so your scorewill not be affected. Since this program is based on an adaptive learning technique, I do think it is important for older children to take the diagnostic tests. Detailed information about local state educational requirements is also included on the website. This information can only be accessed via the parent account. The website made it easy to compare my state TEKs with the IXL lessons in every subject.
I used this with my children at least three times each week for 15 to 45 minutes a day. Most of the time was split into morning and afternoon sessions solely on my iPad. On the iPad we switched back-and-forth between the website and the app. I wanted to make sure that the children accessed all the subjects that were available to them in both locations. Using one device also made it easier for me to monitor their progress and help when needed.
I liked the easy flow of the whole program for every age level in my home. The teaching component that pops up after incorrect answers is very helpful for older children. My younger children did not understand how this worked so I definitely suggest that you monitor them while they use IXL. All subjects, except Spanish, are also accessible via the IXL app which is only available on Android tablets, iPads, iPhones, and the Kindle Fire. I truly appreciate having the app because we were able to use it on days that we had a lot of errands to run. All homeschoolers understand the occasional “car school” days and this app worked well on the go.
I’m grateful that each of my children had a unique, personalized experience with the IXL program. Their attention to communication and accomplishments through weekly student reports and rewards was an added bonus. I was constantly updated through email on my children’s success and areas that needed additional focus. No matter their pace, I was happy that I didn’t have to worry about going in and scheduling subjects or assignments. This adaptive curriculum presented appropriate lesson recommendations but also allowed them the freedom to choose what they wanted to focus on for the day. I was also pleasantly surprised that every child, including my preschooler, could easily work through the IXL Learning app and the website without any assistance from me.
Want to see more examples of how this program can be used? Click the picture below to read reviews from the Homeschool Review Crew.
Happy Homeschooling,
Ta’Neisha K.
Marriage, Motherhood, & Homeschool 