MasterPak 1 - Printed Drill Masters with SuperSlate + PDF

These are great - painless, quick, easy to take and good for you - no wonder they're called "Learning Vitamins." These are designed to get the brain working quickly and automatically - a must before going into higher-level math! We have seen marked improvement in our children's computational speed and skill after using these. Advantages over other drill sheets we've seen (and used) are the sheer variety in the sheets and the incremental level of difficulty from one sheet to the next. Cute graphics "grow" up the margins of the page as students progress, adding to the visual appeal, and an appropriate scripture verse is a definite plus (if you're drilling several students, the ones who finish ahead can meditate on something worthwhile!).

Originally printed as a workbook with 12 copies of 16 individual master worksheets, the publisher has transitioned their successful drill program to either a computer-based option with printable drill sheets (CalcuPaks) or a set of print drill masters with a SuperSlate. SuperSlates provide a sturdy frame with a reusable plastic cover to place over the drill master. The student writes the answers in pencil on the plastic sheet, and it can be wiped off to use again. These programs are designed to be done daily, with students completing a page per day while trying to reach the target speed. When they are able to complete the drill in the time suggested, they move on to the next worksheet and repeat the process. The target speed might be reached after completing two or three worksheets, or it might take a student a couple of weeks or more to reach the speed goal. 

Calculadders have six levels which take the student through basic math - addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, telling time, fractions, percents, and decimals. These roughly correspond to elementary grade levels but can be used whenever needed. ReadyWriter provides practice in basic letter strokes and would be used prior to a formal handwriting program. AlphaBetter helps students speed up their alphabitizing skills.

Do you remember CalcuLadder® in their print version? Well, they're back!! Every level of CalcuLadder® is available again with the addition of a handy new feature that allows you to use the drill sheets repeatedly - the SuperSlate. The SuperSlate is a reusable, transparent overlay that fastens firmly over your drill sheet that has been placed on the base. Use only a #2 pencil or mechanical pencil with an HB lead to write answers to the drill problems. Flip the sheet over to check your answers, then clean the overlay with a bit of petroleum jelly and dry cloth or tissue. The drill pages are the same as those that used to be in print and are also found in the CalcuPak product. CalcuLadder 1 is basic addition and subtraction, 2 is advanced addition/subtraction and basic multiplication, 3 covers advanced multiplication and basic division, 4 includes advanced division, estimation, basic fractions, and decimals, 5 is intermediate and advanced fractions, and 6 includes percents, English and Metric units, geometric concepts, and review of fractions and decimals.

MasterPaks are more economical for those who know they are going to use multiple levels of the CalcuLadder® program. MasterPak 1 includes CalcuLadder® levels 1, 2, and 3 with ReadyWriter; MasterPak 2 includes CalcuLadder® 4, 5, and 6 with AlphaBetter. These sets also come with the SuperSlate feature. ReadyWriter covers basic letter strokes and AlphaBetter practices alphabetical order, alphabetizing skills, and dictionary skills.