CalcuLadder 1

  Drill, Drill, Drill

Mystie Winckler of WA, 3/19/2011

My mom used Calculadder to drill us when we were in elementary, and now I'm using it for mine. Although I hated math drill at the time, I realized later that I benefited immensely. It progresses slowly but methodically and logically through the math facts, requiring both speed and accuracy before moving on to the next level. Making drill such as this a part of math practice helps achieve the mastery required to do higher level math with ease. Becoming accustomed to doing math with time constraints can also alleviate stress of standardized testing.

The answer keys are particularly clever sheets with the answers to each row printed along the edges of the paper, so you match it up under the row and see at a glance if the row is correct, then turn the paper and move it down to the next row, seeing at a glance if that row is correct. It makes it quick for mom to check or easy for self-checking.

The levels are not graded, but should be started from level 1 (writing numbers at a certain speed) and progress as they are completed under the time limit with 100% accuracy. Even older students struggling with algebra would benefit from reviewing and drilling the basic facts.