 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Cyberchase
Common Sense Media says
Site based on PBS show is online learning at its best.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this fun, educational, keep-'em-coming-back-for-more site is the online version of PBS television's popular math cartoon Cyberchase. For kids new to reading, some elements here may be too challenging, while others can be played with a simple knowledge of basic numbers and good listening skills. Kids who are reading independently are likely to find this site highly engaging, whether or not they gravitate naturally to math.
What kids can learn
Kids can build their math, critical thinking, and reading comprehension skills through engaging games, activities, and challenges that emphasize math concepts and computation. Interactive games -- such as finding the shortest bike route to the library, sorting zoo animals by type in a venn diagram, and fixing a broken railroad using decimals -- can build kids' confidence and excitement about math. Kids can't review past performances, but that won't keep them away from these engaging, confidence-building activities.
Subjects
- Arts
- Hobbies
- Language & Readingreading comprehension
- Matharithmetic, geometry, money
- Scienceastronomy, ecosystems, measurement
- Social Studies
Skills
- Collaboration
- Communication
- Creativity
- Emotional Development
- Health & Fitness
- Responsibility & Ethics
- Self-Direction
- Tech Skills
- Thinking & Reasoninglogic, problem solving, strategy
What's it about?
You'll find a colorful, futuristic hub with easy-to-navigate games, videos, and activities. Central to the site is a video player that holds episodes of the PBS show on which the website is based, as well as related web shorts. There are a variety of games framed as quests, and short polls for kids with questions such as, "What magazines would you subscribe to?" Parent and teacher portals offer more about the site's features and the show's research base.
Is it any good?
Cyberchase is online education at its best. Elementary school math rarely gets presented online in the dynamic yet practical ways that it does here. If your child is already familiar with the lovable Cyberchase cast including Inez, Jackie, Matt, and the not-so-lovable Hacker, they will quickly jump into the games, quests, videos, and creative options here. Even for kids who don't watch the show, the creative multistep games -- like Cyberlympics and Eco-Haven Quest -- will likely have them brainstorming solutions to real-life situations in the make-believe cyberworld without even realizing they're in the midst of a math lesson.
Online interaction: Vote on poll questions, send in comments and drawings, create e-cards to send to friends with email accounts.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about why math education is important. Play some of the games here with your kids and discuss how these skills are used in your everyday life.
If your child really likes this site, as many do, ask him or her why. Their answer might give you some clues for how to use computers, the Internet, and other forms of media to their educational advantage. Read Common Sense Media's Expert Article: Making the case for teaching with new media.
What kids can learn
Kids can build their math, critical thinking, and reading comprehension skills through engaging games, activities, and challenges that emphasize math concepts and computation. Interactive games -- such as finding the shortest bike route to the library, sorting zoo animals by type in a venn diagram, and fixing a broken railroad using decimals -- can build kids' confidence and excitement about math. Kids can't review past performances, but that won't keep them away from these engaging, confidence-building activities.
Subjects
- Arts:
- Hobbies:
- Language & Reading: reading comprehension
- Math: arithmetic, geometry, money
- Science: astronomy, ecosystems, measurement
- Social Studies:
Skills
- Collaboration:
- Communication:
- Creativity:
- Emotional Development:
- Health & Fitness:
- Responsibility & Ethics:
- Self-Direction:
- Tech Skills:
- Thinking & Reasoning: logic, problem solving, strategy
How kids will learn
Lots of the lessons can be applied to the real world. One activity invites kids to draw on their knowledge about measurement to help a character fix his house. A video in which someone is accidentally given the wrong change helps them see math and problem solving at work in everyday exchanges. Younger users can easily stumble into activities that are too challenging, as material isn't divided up by age or ability level. That said, individual activities get more difficult when kids solve easier problems.
How parents can help
- Connect what kids learn to everyday life. Have them double-check the change you get back at the store.
- Invite kids to do the printable activities such as making pop-up cards or starting a savings diary.
- Challenge kids to use what they've learned to help you do fix-it work, such as picture hanging and making Halloween costumes.
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
Good for 6/7 year olds, might need some help from mom/dad
does a good job of promoting reading and thinking skills. Kids have to do things like record wind speed for various areas and pick the highest wind area to place a wind turbine to power a gondola so they can get to the top of a mountain. Does good on reading because kids need to read answers to pick the right answer
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Kid, 12 years old
April 7, 2011
AGE
Good for the brain
I remember this site! This will have you thinking. Their games aren't too hard, easy, just in the middle. They can be fun too. It will help your child in Math. Perfect for learning!
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Kid, 11 years old
January 24, 2012
AGE
so [x695] dumb
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| Genre: | Educational |
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