Living

<< Previous   of   Next >> Photo courtesy of Whizz Education  (click to enlarge) Math-Whizz Online Tutor   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Melanie Munk, Features Editor munk@heraldnet.com   Published: Thursday, July 17, 2008 Online games teach math Whiz through the numbers: Summer reading lists are a given for most students. Summer problems sets, not so much. A new program, the Math-Whizz Online Tutor, hopes to change that, keeping math skills sharp as kids practice arithmetic between barbecues and pool parties. The Web-based program has won support from Mary Ann Stine, director of curriculum for Everett Public Schools. "Anytime you can make math fun and entertaining and engaging, and kids are learning, that's just a leg up," she said. The program, which is meant for ages 4 to 13, uses kid-friendly animation, filled with monkeys and flowers, to try and make the work more playful. Like an arcade game, users earn credits for doing well. Those credits can be redeemed to spruce up a virtual bedroom or even "buy" a virtual pet that is cared for by doing problem sets. "As fun as it is, they're still having to do math," said Ben Keogh, one of the program's founders. "But we incentivize the kids." Stine's endorsement of the program -- which was given based on her opinion, not any sort of financial arrangement, she said -- has resulted in a perk for Everett students. The program, generally $19.99 a month, is discounted to $14.99 a month. Learn more or register for the program at www.whizz.com. Andy Rathbun, Herald Writer, arathbun@heraldnet.com, 425-339-3455

1. Tulalip man, 20, charged with baby boy's murder 2. Donated safe gives Marysville museum a mystery 3. Fears over commercial air service at Paine Field dismissed 4. Everett officer charged with manslaughter reveals plan for defense 5. Merchants reject security for downtown Snohomish 6. Holmgren interested in returning to Seahawks 7. Friends open account for orphaned daughters of Highway 9 crash victims 8. Crack That Safe 9. Country singing contestant Chance McKinney amazed by his fans 10. Have M’s, Figgins reached a deal? 2 - Top 10 Stories Most Talked about 3 - Top 10 Stories Most Emailed

• Wildcats fall to familar foe in semis • ‘Nutcracker' times three • Road warrior • Mavericks reloading • Holiday Lightings & Santa Sightings • Cities prepare for winter blast repeat • Wolfpack duo takes last shot at state tourney • This Weekend in Your Town • Tips for the stormy season • Boeing will build, flight test and deliver 787s in South Carolina to spe ... • Snohomish County EDC promoting job growth in key industry clusters • $4 million grant to advance brain tumor research has Everett links • Providence medical center construction tops off its 12-story steel frame ... • Tulalip affordable housing project to be financed by KeyBank, Raymond Ja ... • Arlington's Lak of Ink has a growing following for Luke Kooyman's creati ... • Bank of the Northwest formed • Cascade Bank earns $1.6 million