Customer Reviews

Rock 'N Learn: Fractions & Decimals

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Having practiced multiplication tables with the Rock and Rap DVDs in this series, next in line was fractions, and this DVD explains the basics in an easy to understand format using cartoons, visual aids and music.

The three cartoon characters explain the concepts of numerators and denominators using candy bars, pizza and gummy bears, and sing a song about congruent parts, which I learned are parts of the whole that are the same shape and size.

The DVD also covers equivalent fractions, proper and improper fractions and mixed numerals before shifting over to decimals. In the decimal section, it covers tenths, hundredths and thousandths, converting fractions to decimals, and adding and subtracting with common denominators. It also touches on handling really long conversions like 1/3.

This one is more informative than the multiplication DVDs, and rather than just recitation, there are things to be learned here. The key points are repeated and reinforced, and there is also a section where students can give the answer before the DVD does.

Again, this DVD works best as a back-up learning tool to supplement what the child is doing in school, and the only thing that could be improved is the animation. Rated: 4.5 stars


Amanda Richards, April 18, 2008

This is great as an introduction to learning and understanding fractions. It uses items that children can relate to (pizza, candy, etc.)and that they would use in every day life so that they can see the relevance of fractions The music is upbeat and the graphics are excellent. It gives explanations, examples, and graphics for every concept about fractions. It also has questions after each concept to test their understanding of what has been shown. This is also good for a general review of fractions. Every math teacher should have this DVD in their colection.

I think this is a nice visual presentation about Fraction and Decimals. Before having this video, my child could not do the addition/subtraction of fraction though I tried my best to draw pizza/pie to explain. This video was amazing in getting his attention. The fraction and decimals were introduced in easy and fun. After watching the video once, he could correct all the errors in his homework all by himself. His confidence with math is back! Thanks to this nice DVD.

It's educational but doesn't hold my kids attention very well. They watched it a couple of times but they rather see other educational videos we have (Leapfrog, Little Einstein) . I think its approach is a bit below their level (My kids are 6 and 8 years old).

We have been using the newer animated Rock and Learn series DVDs for about 1 year now. This newer series of their products use animated characters versus the older series of Rock and Learn products that use people playing guitars and cheesy powerpoints flashing around them. The newer animated series probably have less Rock music in them versus the older ones, but the format for learning I think has greatly improved with the newer series, and the creativity is much higher than before. While these DVDs are probably a bit too corney for the age that they are targeting on the label, they will learn from them. Where these DVDs I believe are great are for the younger, quick learners that have not reached 3rd grade; they will probably find the animation more on par with their maturity level.

Overall, the visual examples that they use along with the animated characters and their interaction with other animated characters to understand concepts being presented is excellent, creative and keeps younger children's interest. Our boys are very advanced for their age (4.5 and Kindergarten), and these have been helpful tools for them to learn concepts at a very young age.

Only the Kindergartner fully understand the fractions and decimals DVD; he is working at 4-5th grade level math. For most children this age including our own 4.5 year old, I think this DVD might be too soon to introduce. If you have young, quick learners, I might make sure they have mastered both, Time, and the Money DVDs before attempting to introduce the Fraction DVD. Especially, if they understand adding, and subtraction whole number money ($ and cents), then this DVD helps take them to the next level with decimals and fractions. We found that money is a useful tool for helping kids understand these higher level math concepts.

Overall, this fraction DVD should be a very helpful tool to supplement education of this topic for young and older children. You will need other tools to help reinforce and master the concepts explained in these videos such as practice worksheets like Kumon Fractions and Decimals (Grade, 4, 5) or Kumon Fractions (Grade 6). I believe that this DVD is a must have for the home-schooling parents. As an adult, I have learned some things from their Science series for 4th and 5th grade. Thanks to Rock and Learn I may now be smarter than a 5th grader - at least in science, and math :)

Our favorites Rock and Learn DVDs with animation are listed:

Telling Time (age level is 6 and up)
Money and Making change (age level is 6 and up)
Fractions & Decimals (age level is 8 and up)

Science series DVDs:
Human Body (Grade 4 and up)
Three other DVDs - Life Science, Earth Science, and Physcial Science (Grade 5 and up)

While I've provided the stated age levels from each Rock and Learn DVD, our young and quick learners seem to like them all. Every child is unique, and have their own time for interest and readiness. Nobody probably knows the child better than the CEO of their young life - the parent. If you buy it, and your child doesn't have an interest, simply try again in 1/2 year to a year later. At some point they will probably find it helpful to their understanding.

We love the visual presentation of fractions and decimals and the fact that so many variations are presented. The concepts are presented well so that "equivalent fractions" and concepts such as "numerator" and "denominator" need no further explanation. I still feel Rock 'n Learn videos are lacking in their 'engagement factor' with children. Leap Frog has a much more engaging way of teaching the concepts they cover. The Science Videos by Rock 'n Learn are moving towards that Leap Frog, story-telling, character based video learning style, however, the Math Rock 'n Learn videos are lacking that. Rock 'n Learn videos do have strengths in visual presentation of math concepts and in repetition of presentation, both of which are important.

My children, ages 6 and 8 1/2 enjoy watching this and the other 2 Rock N'Learn videos we got (Writing Strategies and Math Word Problems), but the videos are all too rudimentary for my 3rd grader, for whom they were purchased. My kindergartner likes them, and maybe what she's learned from them will give her a leg up when she has to learn these things. The strangest thing to me is that there is NO ROCK in these videos - not much music at all, really. What a strange thing to name your series!