TOS Review: Big IQ Kids

BigIQkids is an e-learning site designed for students grades K-8. It provides your student with daily academic lessons in an interactive, easy to follow format. With BigIQkids your student will study US geography, vocabulary, spelling, and math.

• US geography: state capitals, locations, spelling, abbreviations, and common facts.
• Vocabulary: see/say the word, read the definition, synonyms, and antonyms, and spell the word.
• Spelling: see and say the word, hear it in a sentence, and spell the word.
• Math: single digit addition through double remainder division.

BigIQkids offers free and premium accounts. We received a free subscription for the premium account, which includes all 4 programs. Here is an informative video explaining the differences.

 To begin using the program the parent must create an account for the student. Once this is done the student is free to begin working on whichever subject they wish.  BigIQkids does not offer a parent account however the parent is kept informed on the student’s progress via emails. These emails inform the parent on how the student has scored on a lesson, what questions they answered incorrectly, when they have advanced to the next level, and when modifications have been made to their lessons. Here are a few excerpts from emails I have received. I have changed my daughter’s name for privacy purposes.

Hi Emily’s Parent/Guardian:

Emily successfully completed the State Abbreviations Lesson - LEVEL 3.

Emily is doing great!

Hi Emily's Parent/Guardian:

Emily completed the pop quiz on BigIQkids.com Spelling Program for lesson 6 with a score of 100% This week Emily is in the 100% Club!

Hi Emily's Parent/Guardian:

Emily completed the pop quiz on www.BigIQkids.com Spelling Program and scored a 93%. Emily spelled the following words incorrectly: vetoes

The above words were spelled: vitoes

Lesson 6 words: vetoes,echoes,radios,heroes,handkerchiefs,tornadoes,videos,banjos,leaves,tomatoes,mosquitoes,potatoes,lives,hoofs,studios

Some parents may frown on the number of emails they receive, however I look at it as a bonus. Since I don’t have the ability to log into a parent account and I’m unable to sit with my daughters the entire time they are working, it is nice to be continually undated on their progress.

All four programs are very flexible and can be easily modified through the student’s account. By simply clicking on the green book that says “Modify Lesson” within each program (subject) allows the parent to change grade levels, add or remove spelling and vocabulary words, choose the number of problems assigned, and much more.


The programs are based on a 1-3-mastery + level. The student begins working at level 1 and as they master the information presented, the program automatically advances them to the next level. If you feel a particular level is too hard or easy for you student, you can adjust it accordingly. Level 1 is usually incredibly easy, as the answers are visible to the student, but as they work through the lessons the difficulty increases.

BigIQkids also offers a great reward system that both my daughters really enjoyed. You guessed it! GAMES! As the student completes their lessons they are rewarded coins. They have the option of either banking the coins or redeeming them to play games. They are even required to earn coins in order to create and clothe their avatar (IQ Buddy). Like the rest of the program, the reward system can also be modified by the parent.

Pros:

• Most of the program is verbal, which is great for the students who struggle with reading.
• Programs are easy to modify.
• Spelling and vocabulary words can be added or removed.
• Lessons and reports are printable
• Multiple free programs and activities available
• Students can work independently

Cons:

• The computerized voices were rather bothersome, although we did get used to it after awhile.
• Not having access to a parent account.
• The math program does not go beyond division. Since BigIQkids is designed for students K-8th grades, I would have liked to have seen some pre-algebra/algebra questions.
• We dealt with many technical errors, but we just worked around them the best we could.

Our thoughts:
There are a few aspects of the program we liked more than others, but overall I feel BigIQkids is a good learning site.

My 7th grader was not thrilled with it. She felt it was boring and babyish, often groaning when asked to log on. However, it has strengthened her geography skills.

My 5th grade absolutely loved it. She wanted to log on first thing in the morning and multiple times throughout the day. She enjoyed the positive feedback and the coins she earned when the lessons were completed. She loved the geography and her avatar most.

If you’re interested in seeing for yourself what BigIQkids is all about, but not sure you want to commit to a paid membership, BigIQkids.com offers a free 7 day trial of the premium account.

Be sure to stop by and see what my fellow TOS Crew members have to say about BigIQkids.com

Here are multiple screen shots of different areas of the programs.

Vocabulary

Geography (US States)

Locate capitals

Modification page for geography

Math

Spelling

I'm a crew member with The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew and I received two free premium accounts from BigIQKids.com in exchange for my honest review.