Schoolhouse Review: Professor B Math

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Eureka!

You’re familiar with that interjection, right? It means, “I have found it!”

In the third century BC, Archimedes said it when he stepped into a bath and realized the water level rose, understanding that the volume of water displaced was equal to the volume of the body part he had submerged. It is also quoted on the seal of the state of California, in reference to the discovery of gold near Sutter’s Mill in 1848.

And in 2012, I wanted to scream it aloud for all to hear! Eureka! I have found it!

What have I found, you ask?

Professor B Math is not your ordinary, every day, run-of-the-mill math program. It is a methodology. It is a methodology that touts some amazing claims (and backs it up with a plethora of statistical analyses and testimonials):

first and second graders mastering all addition, subtraction and multiplication facts
second graders mastering “difficult” long division
fourth graders mastering all of arithmetic
fifth and sixth graders passing “with flying colors” the same statewide examination in Algebra I traditionally reserved for the brightest ninth graders
children in every class (in every grade up to sixth) using textbooks at least one year ahead of their grade

And more significantly for me, a fifth grader, with a long history of struggling through math, frustrated by the inability to memorize the simplest multiplication facts, hating math every single day of his life, finally “getting it.”

Oh, how I wish we had been introduced to Professor B a long time ago.

I know you are wondering, “What’s so great about it? How is it different?”

It’s the method. Professor B takes math and turns it into a story, “a developmental, contextual flow.” Simply stated, that means that rather than using rote memorization for math facts, this program, known as “Mathematics Power Learning,” turns on the student’s ability to assimilate the information in a more natural flow, similar to the way they learn to tell a story.

“Children learn a story because its verbalization permits their perception of its internal connections and flow.”

click on photo to enlarge

As you’ve probably already guessed, Professor B is a web-based program. We received a one-year subscription, which includes all 3 levels of the computer-based lessons, as well as a printable workbook in PDF form for each level (140-180 pages each). Each level covers 3 years of math in one year:

Level I Pre-k through 2nd graders and remediation of older learners. Introdution to Addition/Subtraction Facts — Count to One Hundred — Lower Addition and Subtraction — Higher Addition and Subtraction — Place Value — Fractional Parts and Order — Time — Money

Level II 3rd grade through 5th grade and remediation of older learners. Multiplication/Division Facts and Problem Solving — Introduction to Fractions — Fractional Equivalence — Addition and Subtraction Fractions.

Level III 6th through 8th grades and remediation of older learners. Multiplication/Division of Fractions – Decimals – Percents

This is not a computer game. It’s not fancy or flashy. There’s not even sound. It is a teaching program, where you, the parent, become the master teacher. It is expected that you will be there beside your student, making sure he is verbalizing the answers correctly. But don’t worry, it’s all completely scripted for you! You can see sample lessons on the website. Throughout the program, you are directed as to when to give a page from the workbook for your student to complete, reinforcing the concepts learned.

This is an extremely comprehensive math program. However, I can imagine it would be frustrating for kids who thrive on the interactive sound and movement of computer math “games” or for a parent who wishes to have “the program” do the teaching. We’ve done the “program does the teaching” thing a few times over, and that just doesn’t do the trick for Ben. Right now, he needs me there beside him, explaining the concepts, catching his mistakes, however small, and cheering him on. For that reason, Professor B is perfect for us.

Each level of Professor B can be purchased separately for $20/month, with discounts offered for purchasing more than one level. They have also just begun a new price package — $100 for 3 years access to each level. This is a great deal, but not currently offered on their website. To get this deal, call their customer support number, 678-765-6655, and they will take your order over the phone. You can also call this same number for any questions or concerns you may have. Free placement tests are available for all 3 levels — Level 1, Level 2, Level 3.

The one downside to this program is that there is no tracking of lessons completed. It’s not a big deal, we just have to remember where Ben left off each day. If you are using it for several students though, you’ll probably want to find a way to track lessons yourself. I am hopeful they will consider adding this feature in the future.

Perhaps discovering Professor B is not as significant as discovering gold, but nevertheless, I am thrilled for this opportunity to have reviewed this program. Thank you Professor B. And thank you, Schoolhouse Review Crew.

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Disclaimer: As a member of
the TOS Crew, I received this
product, at no cost to me,
in exchange for my honest
review. All opinions are those
of myself and/or my son.

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