K5 Learning -TOS Review

What is K5 Learning?

K5 Learning is an online Math and Reading program for kindergarden to Grade 5. 

"Our intent is to help kids build reading, math and study skills through independent study.  K5 is designed for use at home, after-school, on weekends and during the summer, and can also be used in conjunction with a homeschooling program."

"The system automatically chooses lessons for students (based on their assessment and past lessons), tracks student progress and provides reports for parents. "

K5 Learning contains over 3000 animated lessons and activities that cover:

• Reading Lessons
• Math Lessons
• Math Facts
• Spelling and vocabulary practice and test

K5 Learning's value lies on its attempt to match the program to each child that uses it. The way this is done is by having the child take an online reading assessment test before he begins, as well as an assessment test in Math. These assessments focus on 8 key reading and math skills:

• Phonemic Awareness
• Phonics – 
• Sight Words –
• Vocabulary - 
• Reading Comprehension – 

• Numbers and Operations – 
• Measurement – 
• Geometry
• Algebraic Thinking - 
• Data Analysis -

  On the right here you can see the way the result is presented. The test, in our case, was reasonably accurate. Once the test is taken, the program then starts teaching the student at his level.

You can get a tour of K5 Learning here to see how it works.

Price:

Monthly subscription

First child: $25; Additional children: $15

Annual subscription

First child: $199;  Additional children:$129

What I love about K5 Learning:

• It is a truly educational program; it is not a an educational game. All the lessons focus on teaching curriculum based skills in math and Reading. There are very little games, yet the program itself is very engaging.
• I love the fact that with K5 Learning, the parent always has the option of adjusting the level at which the child is working at (by shooting an e-mail to the company - who is very good at responding quickly). 
• The parent also has the option of creating (very easily) specific math or reading assignments for the student.
• The activities are very engaging and interactive, and the topics are well balanced from lesson to lesson.  The boys enjoyed working on their Math and Reading Lessons. They would spend a good amount of time on a specific topic, and then move on to another one. Then they'd eventually come back to that first topic until it is mastered and then move up a level. The boys enjoyed working on their Math and Reading Lessons. Each grade has 3 levels associated with it.

• The student can work independently. No parent involvement is required
• Everything is done online, so no download is necessary.
• K5 Learning offers detailed progress reports about the teaching that the student is receiving and how he is doing.
• K5 is an advertising-free, safe environment.
• At the end of a set of lessons the student is given an assessment score which serves to give the child additional feedback on his work.

• My boys were able to fill in their gaps in Math and Reading. My oldest, though a great reader, lacked in phonemic awareness. Doing the K5 Learning reading lessons that were targeting phonemic awareness, he got to improve in that area. He also was able to learn a lot in Geometry, which is a Math topic I had not done much of, and on which he scored at 1st grade level, which was no surprised to me. He is now caught up to grade 3, where he should be. 
• The boys particularly enjoyed the daily riddle that appeared on their page at the beginning of their daily K5 session

What we did not like:

My youngest, though he was very enthusiastic at the beginning, eventually found it "too boring." To quote him, he thought it was too easy. I think in his case the program was not moving fast enough. He is a quick learner. I should have moved him up, which I did, but I guess not far enough. I was a bit reluctant to do so, as I wanted him to not miss any skills. All this is to say that for some kids it might be tricky to find the right level, but I am pretty sure if I had more time I would have found it for him.

My oldest had no problem because he likes easy. So the speed was just fine for him and he absolutely loved using the program.

My opinion:

I think K5 Learning is a great curriculum for teaching or enriching reading and math. It may look pricey, but it's good value.

Make sure to check out their sample lessons and while you are there, sign up for their free 14-day trial.

If you still have question do not miss their extensive FAQ page.

Want to know what other homeschool thought about K5 Learning head on over to the crew blo.

Disclosure:   I was offered 6 week long free access to K5 Learning in exchange for an honest review of this program.