Crew Review – Quarter Mile Math Game

August 24, 2009

The kids and I really enjoyed reviewing this math video game! I would whole-heartedly recommend everyone to use this software, from math-lovers to math-haters. (I have one of the latter in my household.) They have a free demo to download on their website if you want to check it out after reading my review.

Basic Information

We were given the video game on a CD to install on the computer. The CD comes with instructions to help you get set up quickly and to tell you what is included on your CD. The version we were able to review is the Deluxe version. It is for all ages, including Kindergarten through 9th grade (pre-algebra). There are 323 topics and 70,000+ problems!! I can assure you that every area of math you might possibly want to teach your children is covered on this game. I was amazed at the number of topics covered on just one little CD – even up to the adult level so that Mom and Dad can brush up on their math facts.

The software tracks your students’ progress over time – they can race against themselves to get better and better at each math topic! Up to twelve students can be tracked on your computer which accommodates many large families. I did not get a chance to test this idea out, but their website says that you can use the software simultaneously on two computers in the same house to race against each other! How fun! (You do need an internet connection for that, but since you are reading this review, I’m assuming you have that all covered!)

Personal Opinion

I really enjoyed the game! If you have a student who is reluctant to drill math facts or you are looking for a way to drill that is more fun than flash cards or verbal drills, this would be a perfect fit. For children who are used to playing the crazy over-stimulating games on the internet or on various game systems, the graphics might be a little “old school” at first. But, the challenge of keeping up with the problems as they are given to you often makes you forget about the graphics until the end of the race!

My oldest son has has more than his share of those type of games and he was reluctant to really give this a fair try at the outset. He ended up enjoying it for the most part and said that he would like to use it instead of regular drills to memorize math facts. This is exactly what The Quarter Mile Math website talks about – they don’t use the showy, cartoon-style graphics and animation for a very good reason. If the kids are motivated by those types of factors, it will wear off and get boring after a while. (We have LOTS of math games on CD laying around the computer to testify to that fact!) If they are motivated by their inner desire to compete against themselves, to top that last high score, they will keep using the same great game!

How We Used It

We received the game before we officially started back to our regular school schedule, so we implemented this game a bit differently than we normally would have. The children were allowed to sit down with the computer and this game after a morning of unpacking from our move into the new home. They were glad for the time to sit!

I set up each child separately and included myself as well. The set up, from installation to finally getting to play, was very very easy – which says quite a lot coming from a technologically-impaired person such as myself! For each child, you set up their age level so it automatically pulls topics that your student would be working in currently.

After I briefly explained what each button did, the kids really got the hang of playing and had a great time. My camera was packed away for this one, so I didn’t get any photos of the wide-eyed excitement as they watched their sibling play. After they won, they would shout out, “YESSSSSS!”( using their “inside voices”, of course!)

Since it was a hit for us, especially in the lower grades, I plan to use this game once a week. It will probably be a Friday or end of the week activity to reinforce what we have been learning.

Pros

It is a fun way to reinforce what your kids have been learning.
It is very easy for the parent to set up and let the kids run with it.
You can be sure that it will cover every topic they need to know for math.
The playing format was easy to figure out so there was no frustration or time wasted in trying to master the game controls.
Because there are so many topics covered, this is an ideal fit for both the challenged learner and the gifted learner alike.

Cons

At first, kids who are used to the newest cartoons and game animation might be turned off by the graphics here. (As I mentioned above, they designed it this way for a reason, but it was the only thing close to a “con” that I could think of!)

Details

Company Name: Barnum Software
Contact Information: www.TheQuarterMile.com
Name of Product: The Quarter Mile Math game
Price: The Deluxe version is offered as a subscription for $2.95 per month for two years
Other Products Available: You can purchase a smaller chunk of the Deluxe version for a one-time price. (see below)
Age Range: The Deluxe version covers all the ages!

Pricing and Version Clarification

I was a little bit confused about the different versions at first but one of the other Homeschool Crew ladies was able to help clarify it for me, so I can pass it on to you!

If you purchase the Deluxe version, you get everything they have to offer and you can pay for it three different ways:

Monthly – $2.95 per month ($70.80 for two years)
Annually – $19.95 per year ($39.90 for two years)
Bi-Annually – $34.95 for two years
- This is really the BEST deal! It is $4 less than just buying one level and much less expensive than paying for the Deluxe version monthly.

If you purchase any other version, you only get a portion of what they have to offer and you pay a one-time price of $39.95.

Level I includes grades K-3.
Level II includes grades 4-6.
Level III includes grades 7-9.

Bundles will save you almost 20% off the price of the individual Levels, at $64.95.

Level I and II together.
Level II and III together.

Finally, you can purchase the Deluxe version as a Bundle of Levels I, II, and III for a one-time price of $89.95 which would still save you nearly $30 over the price of buying each level individually.

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