Math Fun with Riddle eBooks from Math Galaxy {A Homeschool Review Crew Review}

Disclaimer: I received a FREE copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way.

We had the opportunity to review some fun math ebooks from Math Galaxy. These ebooks allowed the children to practice different math skills as a supplement to their regular math curriculum. 

We received an email with links to five different zip files. Four of these were the bundles of PDF ebooks for the following topics:

• Whole Numbers
• Fractions
• Prealgebra (Decimals, Proportions, Percents)
• Algebra

The final file was a bundle of Google Slides files for different topics. 

While we received these as bundles, you can purchase each eBook separately from the Math Galaxy Website. Here's a look at the list of eBooks available for each topic:

Whole Numbers:

• 1 & 2 Digit Multiplication
• 1-3 Digit Addition & Subtraction
• 3 & 4 Digit Multiplication
• Expanded Notation, Order of Operations & Number Patterns
• Multi-Digit Addition & Subtraction
• Time and Money
• Whole Number Division
• Whole Number Word Problems
• Length & Area
• Rounding & Estimating Whole Numbers
• plus Spelling Word Jumbles Grades 3-5

Fractions:

• Add & Subtract Fractions
• Equivalent Fractions
• Fraction Word Problems
• Identifying Fractions
• Length & Area
• Multiply & divide Fractions
• Reducing & Improper Fractions
• Volume, Capacity, Weight & Angles

Prealgebra (Decimals, Proportions, Percents):

• Decimal Operations
• Decimal Word Problems
• Length & Area
• Percents
• Ratios & Proportions
• Understanding Decimals
• Volume, Capacity, Weight & Angles

Algebra:

• Algebra Properties & Operations
• Algebra Solving Equations
• Algebra Word Problems
• Exponents, Scientific & Metric Notation & Operations
• Algebra Linear Equations

These eBooks vary in length from as few as 43 pages, up to 164 pages. There are usually at least 2 sections in each eBook, though most that we have used have had more than two. Additionally, some have extra worksheets for more practice.

Just to be clear, these worksheets are strictly for practicing math skills. There are no lessons to go with them, so your child will already have to know the skills you want them to work on, or you have to be ready to teach it to them. For instance, I didn't realize Amelia didn't understand factoring, so when I printed out some worksheets from the "Reducing & Improper Fractions" eBook that focused on Prime Factors, I found myself trying to explain factors and factor trees to her. I ended up finding a video online that explained it, because I realized my understanding of the topic has disappeared over the years (at least to be able to explain it to someone else).

Though the eBooks don't provide lessons, I was pleased to see that books that required the students to have knowledge of formulas (such as the "Volume, Capacity, Weight & Angles" eBook) provided the formulas at the beginning of the book.

So, how did we use these fun math eBooks?

When I received my email, I downloaded these files with a simple click on the link. To use them, I just have to click on the PDF file and it will open in Adobe Reader, then I print the pages I want the children to work on each day. 

I chose to skip around, letting the children work on different topics throughout the week. We worked mainly from the Whole Numbers Bundle and the Fractions Bundle, though just this week I decided to choose some Decimal Operations sheets from the Prealgebra Bundle as Tabitha had been asking to work with decimals. 

What makes these worksheets fun, is that each page has a riddle that needs to be solved. This is done by answering a handful of math questions and matching the answer with the letter and then entering that letter into the corresponding space in the answer box at the top of the page. 

Each question page has an answer page directly after it, which has its advantages and disadvantages. It is helpful that we don't have to search for the answers in the back of the book. However, as I scroll through, I have to make sure the children aren't looking at the screen otherwise they will see the answers. Also, there are times I would like to try figuring out the riddle, but I scroll and lose the opportunity because I see the answer. Oops.

I started out having the younger children work on simple addition, subtraction, and multiplication.

The older girls worked on fractions because I know they struggle with them. I wanted them to get more practice adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing fractions, which also meant they would get practice reducing the fractions.  I definitely appreciated the extra worksheets for this topic.

Then I discovered one of the eBooks had pages I could use with all the children, Identifying Fractions. I had Harold and Hannah work on simple fraction identification with pie charts:

While Tabitha and Amelia worked on identifying fractions using a number line:

I've had Harold and Hannah work on some Expanded Notation sheets:

While Tabitha and Amelia have started working with decimals, just some simple addition and multiplication for now.

You may have noticed that the sides of the paper appear folded on some of these worksheets. Tabitha likes to keep all the answers hidden until she has her work done. She started doing this when we realized sometimes the answers can easily be determined for each question by looking at the answer column. Actually, one of the first worksheets the older girls worked on had this issue because each denominator was only used once:

Though I haven't come across any other sheets that are quite that much of a giveaway, I understand Tabitha not wanting to see any of the answers until she has completed all the questions. 

Other than that little concern, and some of the riddles not making sense to the children, I think these Math Galaxy Riddle eBooks are a great way for students to practice their math facts. 

You can find Math Galaxy on Pinterest.

Math Galaxy also has iOS Apps available from the App Store for multiple grades. As we have Android phones, this wasn't an option for us; however, you can see reviews of these apps along with my fellow Crew Mates' thoughts on the eBooks by clicking on the banner below: