Math can be a challenging subject for elementary school students, but these digital learning tools inject excitement and involvement into the learning process. Ranging from interactive games to virtual manipulatives, these math aids will nurture students’ proficiency and comprehension of mathematical principles.
Research indicates that early engagement with math significantly correlates with reduced learning gaps and a heightened likelihood of achieving math success, emphasizing the pivotal role of a robust math foundation for student achievement.
Boosting math skills with online tools
Elementary school educators have a powerful ally in boosting students’ math skills through the integration of engaging online tools. These resources not only enhance understanding and retention of mathematical concepts but also spark motivation and interest in the subject.
By incorporating engaging apps into their lessons, teachers can cultivate better academic performance among their students. These tools offer interactive experiences that cater to diverse learning styles, making math more accessible and enjoyable for every student. With the ability to customize lessons and provide real-time feedback, educators can differentiate their teaching to meet the individual needs of each student, fostering a supportive learning environment where math proficiency flourishes.
Transforming virtual classrooms with math tools: what to look for
Transforming virtual classrooms with math tools involves a comprehensive approach that addresses multiple aspects of both teaching and learning. Educators should consider adapting their teaching methods to leverage the interactive capabilities of these tools, promoting active engagement and participation among their elementary school students.
Teachers should ensure alignment with learning objectives and standards while empowering students to take ownership of their math learning journey, fostering independence and critical thinking skills.
Incorporating real-world examples and applications not only makes math relevant and relatable but also deepens understanding through practical application. Encouraging interactive learning through hands-on activities, tutorials, and discussions fosters collaboration and inquiry-based learning experiences at the elementary school level.
In short, leveraging technology in schools to enhance the learning experience enables teachers to provide personalized feedback, track progress, and offer additional support where needed, ultimately creating dynamic virtual classrooms where math education thrives.
Best interactive math tools for young learners
In this comprehensive overview on the best interactive math tool for young learners, we present a selection of online math apps tailored specifically for elementary students.
Whether a student is learning in an online classroom or homeschooling environment, these tools offer math teachers versatility and effectiveness. From foundational arithmetic skills to more advanced concepts, our chosen apps provide a diverse range of applications that cater to different learning styles and abilities.
Let’s explore the exciting world of interactive math education and empower young learners to excel in their mathematical journey.
For foundational math skills practice: Moose Math
Moose Math engages kids in a mathematical adventure and teaches counting, addition, subtraction, sorting, geometry, and more. Moose Math includes a Report Card section where parents/guardians and teachers can monitor progress and learn about new skill-building activities.
How it works: While playing 5 multi-level activities in the Moose Juice Store, Puck’s Pet Shop and Lost & Found, kids can earn rewards to help build their own city and decorate buildings.
Recommended for: Grades K–1
Where it’s available: Apple App Store, Google Play Store, Amazon App Store for Android
Price: Free
Elementary students can embark on a mathematical adventure with Moose Math by Duck Duck Moose.
For higher order math concepts: Happy Numbers
Happy Numbers provides personalized math instruction for students with engaging gamified exercises. Guided by the friendly character Dino, students delve into the realm of mathematics. The instruction is research-based and told in a unique story format for enhanced comprehension.
How it works: The platform enables teachers to establish classes, enroll students, and tailor learning experiences to individual needs. As students engage with their math assignments, Happy Numbers automatically tracks their progress, allowing teachers to access comprehensive reports on performance, pinpoint areas of improvement, and offer timely feedback.
Recommended for: Grades PreK– 5
Where it’s available: Online
Price: Pricing and packages available online
Happy Numbers is helping more than 2 million students improve in math daily.
For gamified math engagement: Prodigy
Adaptive math practice meets engaging game-based learning with Prodigy Math. As students explore an exciting fantasy world, parents/guardians and teachers can support their learning and make it more effective than ever.
How it works: Students answer adaptive math questions to win battles and complete quests. They can interact in a safe online environment with friends on quests. Prodigy uses an adaptive algorithm to ensure personalized learning. There are exciting daily and seasonal quests for students.
Recommended for: Grades 1–8
Where it’s available: Online
Price: Prodigy is free, but there are optional memberships available from $6.25/month
Prodigy is an incredibly engaging game that fosters a love of math.
For engaging conceptual math practice: Zearn
Zearn is an online video and interaction based math learning system designed for student individuals and groups.
How it works: Zearn uses short math lesson videos to explain math concepts, visual and interactive problem solving, pause points, and real-time feedback.
Recommended for: Grades K–5
Where it’s available: Online
Price: Free for teachers and individual learners. For teachers, that includes Zearn Math instructional materials for up to 35 students and 1 teacher. There are pricing options for schools as well.
Zearn Math offers visual math support through short videos and can be tailored to student needs.
For remote learning: Open Middle
Open Middle is a website that provides specific types of math problems to students. These math problems have what’s called an “Open Middle.” This means each problem can be solved using multiple different approaches.
How it works: Open Middle provides problems based on grade level. Their collection is ever growing and utilizes Google slides as well. Teachers can watch a webinar to understand how to utilize this resource.
Recommended for: Grades K–12
Where it’s available: Online
Price: Free
Open Middle offers math practice problems that can be solved in a number of ways.
For math community-building: Would You Rather Math
Would You Rather Math provides a fun way for students to learn math concepts based on the classic Would You Rather? question game.
How it works: Students are given a “Would You Rather?” question that is math based. They then have to justify their answer mathematically. An example from their K–2 section is “Would you rather have 10 minutes of free time in the morning and 15 minutes of free time in the afternoon or would you rather have 30 minutes of free time?”
Recommended for: Grades K–5
Where it’s available: Online
Price: Free
Would You Rather Math is based off of the classic party game and encourages critical thinking.
For hands-on virtual manipulatives: Didax
From number lines to base ten blocks, pattern blocks to place value, Didax’s collection of free virtual manipulatives gives educators and families access to visual and hands-on digital resources that lead to understanding. Students can use these resources in class and at home to practice math concepts, reinforce their growing math understanding, and technology they love in the process.
How it works: There are multiple math activities and games available on the website. Students, parents, and teachers can select the game they want. There are short how-to videos for each game.
Recommended for: Grades K–5
Where it’s available: Online
Price: Free
Didax has a variety of engaging game options for learners to choose from.
For basic math practice: Math Playground
Math Playground is a robust website offering hundreds of games that can be customized by grade, topic, and skill level.
How it works: On the website students, teachers, and parents can select the game to be played from the multiple categories available in the math learning center.
Recommended for: Grades K–12
Where it’s available: Online
Price: Free
Math Playground is a virtual playground of math games.
For math videos: Mashup Math
Mashup Math is an award-winning website that offers engaging math games, workbooks, puzzles, and videos for students based on their grade. It offers hundreds of incredibly helpful resources for teachers and parents.
How it works: Teachers select the resources based on grade level curriculum.
Recommended for: Grades K–8
Where it’s available: Online
Price: There are a handful of free resources available on the website. Memberships are available online starting from $2.99/month.
Mashup Math offers seasonally themed fun math challenges and more.
For adaptive math practice: Komodo Math
Komodo Math is an effective and rewarding online math program made by teachers for families. Personalized, teacher-assigned learning plans focus on each student’s individual needs.
How it works: Students interact with short but engaging lessons via games and adventures, earning “belts” like in martial arts to advance to new levels. There is a parent dashboard to keep track of student progress.
Recommended for: Grades K–5
Where it’s available: Komodo Math is available as a browser game. It’s also available as an app in the Apple Store, Google Play, and Amazon for Kindle & Android.
Price: 14-day free trial available. Membership is available starting at $14.99/month.
Komodo Math helps elementary students set goals while having fun and learning math.
For targeted math tutoring: DoodleMaths
Doodle’s award-winning math app for kids helps students build confidence and fluency in math with standards-aligned, differentiated practice. Filled with thousands of interactive math games and practice problems, the DoodleMath help app enhances classroom instruction and learning at home by transforming math practice into a fun, rewarding adventure!
How it works: DoodleMath has apps for each grade. These apps are an engaging way to increase student math literacy, improve math confidence, and offer support for teachers.
Recommended for: Grades K–5
Where it’s available: Apple App Store, Google Play Store, Amazon App Store
Price: There is a Free Basic Version. Family pricing starts at $10.99/month. Teacher and School pricing is available upon request.
DoodleMaths offers individual apps based on grade level.
For Common Core alignment: Buzzmath
Buzzmath offers thousands of fun online games and problems that align with Common Core standards. It was developed with teachers and is used by more than 700,000 students!
How it works: Motivate students in their learning process with more than 30,000 interactive and step-by-step math questions. Missions, badges, and avatars make the educational games even more fun.
Recommended ages: Grades K–12
Where it’s available: Online
Price: There is a free trial available. Family pricing begins at $20/month. Teacher pricing is available on request.
Buzzmath activities and games are imaginative and highly interactive.
For mastering math facts: Rocket Math
Rocket Math is a supplemental learning program that teaches students addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and fractions. Specifically, the program teaches math facts—the basic building blocks of all math.
How it works: There are two programs available: the Online Tutor and the Worksheet Program. With the Online Tutor (formerly Online Game) the program provides immediate corrections and times student responses for fluency. The program moves students along only when they are at mastery. Teacher intervention is not required for students to learn. With the paper-and-pencil Worksheet Program, parents/guardians or teachers can print out and assign a careful sequence of worksheets. Students practice saying facts aloud while a partner corrects. After practice students take a one-minute test daily to see if they are ready for the next worksheet.
Recommended for: Grades K–5
Where it’s available: Online, Apple App Store, Google Play Store
Price: 30 Day FreeTrial with pricing available in the virtual catalog.
Rocket Math offers an online tutor for your elementary school student.
Conclusion
Interactive math tools play a vital role in the education of elementary school students by offering engaging and personalized learning experiences. These digital math resources not only make math more accessible and enjoyable but also facilitate better understanding and retention of mathematical concepts.
By incorporating interactive elements into lesson plans, such as games, simulations, and real-world examples, students are encouraged to actively participate in their learning, leading to increased motivation and interest in the subject. The ability of these tools to provide immediate feedback and track progress allows educators to identify and address learning gaps more effectively.
As technology continues to evolve, the integration of interactive math tools will undoubtedly remain a cornerstone in fostering mathematical proficiency and empowering young learners to succeed academically.
*Note: ASU Prep Global does not benefit from the download of any app or service presented in this blog post.
Get expert online math training and professional development for K–12 teachers
As educators, there are many factors to consider when integrating virtual math learning tools into your school. ASU Prep Global can help with comprehensive professional development training and support developed by elementary math experts. We offer a variety of online math classes and training, including our asynchronous course, Math Teaching Methods for K–5.
ASU Prep Global partners with other K–12 schools to build new models of educational success, embed early college experiences and provide access to the latest innovative technologies, digital courseware, and professional development. We’re more than a curriculum provider—we’re an innovation partner to top schools and school districts.
We help our partners create high-impact, high-quality digital education that meets the unique needs of their learners and staff. For more than a decade, we’ve partnered with school leaders to help innovate learning for K–12 students and educators through Arizona State University led research, proven effective learning practices, and industry-leading online education technology.
Top online math tools for elementary students FAQs
What types of math concepts can be taught using online math tools and apps for elementary students?
There are a wide variety of math concepts that can be taught using online tools and apps for elementary students. These can range from basic number sense and operations, to more advanced topics such as geometry, fractions, and algebra.
Can parents, guardians, or teachers monitor their student’s progress when using these tools and apps?
Most online math tools and apps have a feature for parents, guardians, or teachers to monitor their student’s progress. This allows them to track their performance and identify any areas where they may need extra help or practice.
How can online math tools and apps help improve a child’s understanding of math concepts?
Online math tools and apps can be highly interactive, engaging, and visually appealing for children. This helps to make learning math more fun and enjoyable for them. They also often provide immediate feedback and personalized learning experiences, which allows children to learn at their own pace and address their individual needs. Additionally, many tools and apps offer a variety of activities and games that help reinforce key math concepts in different ways, promoting a deeper understanding of the subject matter.
How does the effectiveness of online math tools and apps compare to traditional teaching methods?
Online math tools and apps can be just as effective, if not more so, than traditional teaching methods. This is because these tools and apps are designed to cater to a child’s individual learning style and provide targeted practice in areas where they may struggle. They also offer a wide range of resources such as video tutorials, interactive quizzes, and virtual manipulatives that can enhance a child’s understanding of math concepts in a way that traditional teaching methods may not.