We received the 1st grade levels in both reading and math. The base is sturdy plastic with colorful discs. These pieces can be used with any of the sets for a range of grades. The Base Kit comes with one full grade-level set of cards in the subject chosen – we have six packages for math and five for reading each with 12 cards/package. My children using this are 6 and 8. My daughter (the younger of the two) is just working on a few of the first cards while her brother is utilizing the later cards in each series. They can sit at the table working quietly – and independently. Learning Palettes, like Learning Wrap-Ups are self-checking. When the card is complete, the child turns it over and can see if they are right. There is a secondary post to the center spindle so that the card is placed correctly every time. It really is fool-proof! I have instructed my children to remove the ones they have incorrect, turn the card back to the question side and try again.
We don’t do much by “grade level”, I chose the levels for my children based upon the concepts covered. The 1st grade math (also called Level 1) covers Numeration – Step 1 (12 cards) is Numbers 0-10 and Introduction to Addition and Subtraction, Step 2 (12 cards) is Numbers 0-100, Step 3 (12 cards) is Money, Fractions and Addition/Subtraction with sums/differences up to 18. The remaining card sets cover Algebra Concepts, Geometry & Measurement, and Probability & Statistics. The 1st grade reading set includes Phonics Level 1, Vocabulary Level 1, Reading Comprehension Level 1, Blends & Digraphs, and Nouns, Verbs, & Adjectives. I like that they aren’t labeled by grade, so that my children can work on whatever skill area they need without feeling behind.
They have so much fun with these. Both children ask to get these out to “play” with. I love that they think they are playing. As my youngest son starts kindergarten work this fall, I would love to add the cards for that level for him. We already have the base kit, so it will be easy to add card sets as my children need them. I love how versatile this is!
In addition to the physical bases, discs and cards, there is an online-based subscription website as well. A subscription includes up to five users for a full year with full access to all levels in math (up to 5th) and reading (up to 3rd). We have used this on both the desktop and the iPad Mini (love that!). While on the desktop, we do need to be sure to click to make it full screen within the program. If we don’t, we cannot fully access the palette. It may seem as though the learner is placing the disc correctly, but it doesn’t “snap into place” when they are close. It does not recognize the top and bottom placement even though they are seen on the screen. When you click to check, you can see that. You also don’t have access to all of the buttons to the right of the screen unless you choose full screen. Once we figured that out, it has been fun and easy.
Even my older girls (10-13) have gotten into the online version of Learning Palettes. All of the children enjoy “playing” on Learning Palettes on the iPad. The touchscreen is even easy enough for my youngest (4 year old) to figure out what to do. We have had a few issues of not being able to tell what the picture was (specifically in the reading sections – both online and the physical cards). The simple drawings were not always simple to decipher. We would generally work through what we could and by process of elimination figure out what the object was. Once we had worked through the cards and were more familiar with the objects, it was easier, but some would still be saved for last because they just couldn’t tell (or remember from a previous exposure). Also, we would love to see this developed into an app. We generally utilize the iPad for the children when on the road – and are not connected to the internet. An app would make this version of Learning Palettes fully portable.
The Learning Wrap-Ups I’ve seen before were all for math skills. I was really excited to learn that there are Wrap-Ups for Vocabulary. We received the set of 4 – Synonyms, Homonyms, Compound Words and Antonyms. There is also a Teacher’s Guide booklet with some game suggestions and other activities to do with these. My middle children (8, 10 and 11 year olds) have had fun with these. We are laid back in our grammar instruction for elementary ages. These have been perfect to introduce my children to what these are (antonyms, synonyms, etc.) and give them a fun way to practice using them.
In addition to the Basic Math Wrap-Ups set (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and fractions), we received to student workbooks on mastery (Workbook alone $4.99). We received 10 Steps to Addition Mastery and 10 Days to Multiplication Mastery. These are non-reproducible so I could only let one child work in each. My oldest daughter still struggles with automacity in multiplication. With her progressing to higher math, she really needs to have these down. I had her work through the workbook. She was reluctant, but stuck with it. Some of the days, it seemed like a lot of work. But it has really paid off. She has these facts down much better. I am going to have her to keep practicing – and the Wrap-Ups make that fun and easy. I think I need to order another book for sister #2. I am really impressed with how simply this was laid out – and how effective it has been.
I am kicking myself for not having checked out Learning Wrap-Ups sooner. If you already have been using the Wrap-Ups in your home, be sure to check out Learning Palettes. Everything is so portable and easy to take with you. The Learning Palette Kits come with their own handy bag – and a clear topper and cap to screw down on the center spindle that holds the discs in place to the base. This is great to keep those discs secure and not likely to be lost. The Learning Wrap-Ups are easy to drop in a bag, keep in the car, a basket in our learning area, pretty much anywhere. I just recently learned about the different subject areas there are Wrap-Ups for — geography, music theory and more – WOW! With everything self-contained, there are no loose pieces that might get lost. Review that can be done anywhere. I love it! There is a coupon code you can use (HOMESCHOOL) to save 20%. I do not know when this might expire, so I recommend using it sooner rather than later.