AAA Math: Overall Review of aaamath.com

AAA Math: A Review

AAA Math is a comprehensive mathematics resource site for kindergarten through eighth grade. The entire site is available in both English and Spanish. The site is run through several different domains so if the main site is loading very slowly or not loading properly, click on one of the alternative links. All resources provided directly through this site are free.

AAA Math covers the following mathematical concepts: addition, algebra, comparing, counting, decimals, division, equations, estimation, exponents, fractions, geometry, graphs, measurement, mental math, money, multiplication, naming numbers, patterns, percent, place value, practical math, properties, ratios, statistics, and subtraction. Currently, the algebra, mental math, and practical math sections simply refer you to other sections of the site. They do not have any of their own materials. The graphs section simply has a link for the Alegebrator program, which is a for pay math program not associated with AAA Math. All other sections are functioning properly and have an adequate, if not sufficient, amount of material.

Each concept is broken down into sub concepts. Many concepts have at least half a dozen sub concepts. For example, measurement is broken down into the following topics: time, metric system, mass, length, volume, and temperature conversions. The sub concepts are then broken down into specific skills. For example, some of the skills covered under time are AM and PM times, converting days to hours, and time zones in North America.

You can also browse the materials by grade level. This is helpful for teachers who want to find specific materials for their students' levels more quickly than they would by browsing all of the concepts.

Most skill pages include a brief overview of the skill with examples and a practice game. Most practice games offer three different alternate versions: Countdown, Give Me Time, and 20 Questions. Countdown involves getting as many correct answers as you can in 60 seconds, Give Me Times gives you extra time for each correct answer you get, and 20 Questions involves getting 20 more correct answers than incorrect answers as quickly as possible. The downside to the games are that they are pretty limited. Each skill essentially only has one game. If students are having trouble with a specific concept, this single format may not be very helpful. However, for students who understand the concept and are simply looking for some quick reinforcement, it may be just fine.

AAA Math is a good site for students who are looking for reinforcement, review, and/or additional practice in specific skill areas. The examples and explanations provide a way for students to check their understanding before they try the games.

For teachers, AAA Math can be a good resource if they are looking for alternate ways to teach specific concepts. The examples on the site may provide new insight for them if they are having trouble reaching some of their students. Teachers can give this site to their students as a home resource. They can also use the games directly in their classrooms. Younger elementary grade teachers can use it as an option for centers or computer lab time. All teachers can offer it as a computer option during free time. For example, students may want to use it when they have finished other assignments so they can review before a test.

One of the downsides of this site for teachers is that it does not offer any worksheets or other printable materials such as flashcards. Between the limited selection of games and this lack of materials, this will certainly not be the only math resource that a teacher needs. However, it can be a valuable part of a larger collection.

An AAA Math CD is available for purchase. In addition to what is available on the web site, it includes over 2,000 mathematics lesson pages, a report totals button for each lesson page that provides information and scores for the number of problems that have been completed, and a printable progress report for each grade. Like the main web site, all of the additional lesson pages on the CD are organized by both concept and grade.

AAA has sister sites for spelling, vocabulary, US states, world nations, and Sudoku.