Tutor In A Box

Tutor In A Box is a great maths subscription box, designed to support your child's learning whilst fully incorporating the national curriculum.

When I first discovered Tutor In A Box, I couldn't wait to try the boxes, so as soon as the primary boxes launched, I made sure to subscribe (as quickly as possible!).

The first box we received was all about place value- not including decimals  (I've subscribed to the year 5 boxes). This being the first maths resource of this type, that we decided to try, meant we were very excited to get started! 

So what's included?

The place value box has the following contents:

• 2 yellow cards- one outlining year 5/6 goals, and the second one with clear list of vocabulary children should be familiar with. 
• Mint green card - a place value chart. This card neatly and concisely outlines all the important information children should learn and understand. The chart intricately shows the breakdown of numbers; clearly illustrating millions, hundreds of thousands, tens of thousands, thousands, hundreds, tens, ones and tenths. The use of a figure to explain how place value works (using a clearly illustrated chart) helps reinforce what is meant by place value and how numbers are broken down (into hundreds, tens etc). 
  
• A place value chart. A nice reference card that can be put up on the wall. It simply illustrates the chart children should be happy using (each column showing each place value); but the text is large enough to put up on display!
• Blue cards, one being the question card, each task designed to help revisit and revise, and the second card contains the answers (that's always handy!)
  
• A maths calendar. This is a fabulous idea; with a task to do each day, it's the perfect way to visit maths everyday.
• Pack of cards with numbers (and a few symbols), used for tasks and can be used again and again for lots of other activities. 
• A fun hands on activity. Alongside all the other contents we also received counters (thousands, hundreds, tens and ones) and question papers (to use counters with). Little person thoroughly enjoyed using the counters to answer the place value questions. The activity was the typical diagrams (with circles drawn to represent thousands, hundreds etc) but much more captivating  as it involved the use of counters. It is interesting to see, how simply switching the pencil for counters (in this instance), makes the activity much more fun and fun learning means the information sticks!
  

What we think?

Little person had a lot of fun with the activity using the counters. He wanted to whizz through all the questions. It's great to see children want to carry out tasks instead of being told to 'hurry up' or try harder. Therefore, I was impressed and pleased with this aspect of the box. 

Other tasks, such as noting down numbers from items in the kitchen, were also a lot of fun for little person. It made our maths lesson less 'sad face' and more smiles!

The contents of this box have really helped little person with revision, and they've certainly made maths much more fun. 

It is also a great plus when contents can be used again and again. The number cards and counters will certainly be used more in all our maths sessions. 

I must add, I am truly very pleased with the support offered by Sophie (the founder). She is happy to answer any questions and talk through things that may not make sense, and that alone is worth every penny. As a home educator, sometimes you feel a little alone and possibly a little overwhelmed with topics to teach, but having any type of support allows one to breath a sigh of relief! 

We highly recommend Tutor In A Box, and think everyone should try a box before deciding, for more information take a look at their website here.