In Curriculum Reviews, Math Facts Practice, Math Reviews

There are times when I want my kids to work on their school work independently because I need to take care of some other business. When they’re in the first few grades of elementary school, that can be pretty hard for them to do. Other times, I notice that my kids need to practice their basic math facts so that they can move on to more complicated problems.

I compiled a list of cool math games and activities that reinforce important math facts that I’ve used over the years. I find that having a few different methods at my disposal increases my kids’ interest and willingness to practice. In this post, I’ll tell you about XGerms by k12.

XGerms

In this game, the kids answer addition, subtraction, multiplication, division  or a combination of each of these the types of questions. For every question they get right, they capture a germ in the germ lab. The goal is to capture a bunch of little germs. Once those germs are captured, kids answer a few questions so they can capture the big germ.

Getting Started

Your child will be able to set up their avatar. As you can see from the graphic below, there are many options for the avatar’s appearance. They also get to choose their name. This makes it possible for multiple children to play xgerms and keep track of their progress on the same computer- though not at the simultaneously.

 

 

 

 

 

Select a Germ

The next step is to select a germ to capture. This only needs to be done the first time the math game is played. After that, they won’t need to do this step.

Capturing smaller germs

First, the kids must solve problems to capture the smaller germs that surround, and protect, the big germ. Their goal is to solve the questions correctly so they don’t waste goop. Their second goal is to solve math problems as quickly as possible. There is a timer above the math question. You’ll notice that there is a bar with red, yellow, and green (left to right). First the green will disappear, then the yellow, then the red. Once the red runs out, you’re out of time.

Capturing the Big Germ

This task isn’t as easy as capturing the smaller germs. 5 math problems solved correctly must be answered. You’ll know how you’re progressing by looking at the hearts. Red hearts mean the germ has full strength. No red hearts means that germ is tired and ready to be captured.

The XGrid

One way for parents to keep track of progress is to look at the x-grid. The more green dots on the chart, the more proficient the student is with their math facts. Yellow mean that they know the fact, but they could answer more quickly. Red means that the student either ran out of time, answered incorrectly, or took a long time to answer the question.

As long as their avatar information isn’t deleted from the computer, the student can work on xgerms until they have filled out the entire xgrid, no matter how many days it takes. If your child uses different computers to access xgerms, their progress will not transfer from one computer to another.

How to Delete XGerms from your computer or device

Technically, XGerms isn’t on your computer. But, if you want all everything associated with XGerms removed from your computer you could erase your cookies as well as click remove player on this page.

How to access Xgerms

XGerms is available for any device equipped with Flash. This means that computers and mobile devices (not iphone) can run this program.

Many people access these games through the K12 curriculum. However, people who do not have K12 can access it for free on their XGerms Multiplication.

Why I recommend Xgerms

Kids need to memorize their addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division facts. This is a fun way, especially for budding scientists, to practice. It beats doing timed worksheets and flash cards, though we still do those, because kids can do them independently while parents make lunch, take care of other kids, etc. My kids look forward to playing this math game, which k12 recommends practicing between 10-20 minutes per day. Some of my friends’ kids would play it much longer and every day of the week if given the opportunity.

I still recommend using other methods to practice so that more connections and pathways are created in the brain’s neuro-circuitry and so that they aren’t glued to the computer or mobile device too long. When math facts are memorized, higher level math levels won’t be difficult later on. Practice! Practice! Practice!

If you are looking for online and offline games that help kids practice and/or learn math skills, there are many online resources for parents. I think we’re blessed to live in a time when we have so much information at our finger tips. If you have more ideas, please share! I’m anxious to hear about them. Then, please share this site with your friends.

Updated Links:

1) Race Car Fast Facts
2) Baseball Fast Facts
3) xGerms Addition
4) xGerms Multiplication
5) xGerms Subtraction
6) xGerms Division
7) xGerms Math Mashup

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Showing 22 comments
  • Ashley
    Reply

    The link you posted for the multiplication demo site is not working. It basically takes me to the K12 page and says access denied. Stinks because we used to use K12, but we moved and we can’t do it where we live now. My kids loved this game!

    • Becky
      Reply

      WOW! You’re right! The link is dead. My kids were using it not too long ago, but took a break from it when we had Christmas break. They’ll be upset, too. I looked all over the place, including K12’s Think Tank blog and had no luck there. I’ll repost a link if I am so lucky as to find a functioning site for non-K12 users

      • Becky
        Reply

        I went through my browser’s history and found another link that takes you to XGerms Multiplication. I added it to the post above.

    • Becky
      Reply

      Yes, the link you shared worked for me. Thank you for sharing the link. I was looking for valid links since my old links were dead. I appreciate it very much!

    • Anonymous
      Reply

      Yes, it did work.

  • Alice Brunotte
    Reply

    what web sight is it on? 🙂 :):):):):):()

  • Kristen Kochanski
    Reply

    We loved the xgerms and the links aren’t working again:-(any chance you can share again? We enjoyed k12 and xgerms multiplication was my daughters all time favorite game.

    • Becky
      Reply

      Kristen,

      Thank you for your comments. I am happy you like the x-germs games. I tried using the links in the “updated links” section just above the “pin it” button” and they worked for me. I’d love to know if they work for you or not.

      Thank you,

      Becky

  • tomas migeul dupree
    Reply

    i love the game

    • Becky
      Reply

      Thanks, Tomas!

      Do you play XGerms or is it for another member of your family?

      • Christopher
        Reply

        Yes, in fact I won the game as much as you can win it: All stars for every Germ, all achievements, all topics mastered, everything!

  • mary
    Reply

    hi my kid loves it

    • Mary
      Reply

      hi my son loves it

  • retete romanesti
    Reply

    Hey are using WordPress for your site platform? I’m new to the blog world but I’m trying to get started and set up my own.
    Do you require any coding expertise to make your own blog?
    Any help would be greatly appreciated!

    • Becky
      Reply

      Yes, this is wordpress through Wealthy Affiliate’s program- so it isn’t the free version.

  • Dick
    Reply

    i like it very much m kids play it evryday exept Sunday

  • Victor Clark
    Reply

    Since Adobe Flashplayer shut down, all of the xGerms games have stopped working entirely. This is very heartbreaking, as they are an intricate part of my childhood, and I wanted to return to them after so many years. I miss the games dearly.

    • Becky
      Reply

      I miss them a lot, too. One of my kids would benefit from playing xGerms to beef up his skills.

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