Is Zearn actually free for families?

Yes, the core K-8 curriculum is free for individual teachers and families. You can sign up for an individual account and access the same high-quality lessons used in classrooms without a subscription fee.

How long should a typical Zearn session last?

Most lessons are designed to take about 30-45 minutes. This includes the video lesson, the guided practice, and the 'Tower of Power' exit ticket. For younger kids, breaking this into two 20-minute chunks is often better for their attention span.

What happens if my kid gets stuck on a problem?

Zearn uses 'differentiated' feedback. If a kid misses a problem, the platform doesn't just say 'wrong'—it usually triggers a 'boost' which is a mini-remediation step to help them visualize the mistake before they try again.

Does it work on tablets or just computers?

It works on both. Since it's web-based, you just need a modern browser. However, a larger screen (like a laptop or iPad) is much better than a phone because kids need to see the models and drawings clearly to understand the concepts.

Zearn – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Zearn

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

Website2012

88%

WISE Score

The gold standard for math platforms that actually teaches concepts instead of just drilling kids with digital flashcards.

Zearn

Website

2012

88%

WISE Score

The gold standard for math platforms that actually teaches concepts instead of just drilling kids with digital flashcards.

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Screenwise Verdict

Zearn is the rare 'educational' site that actually lives up to the label. Most math apps are just digitized worksheets or thinly veiled slot machines that reward kids for fast clicking. Zearn is different because it’s built on real curriculum that expects kids to think, draw, and write.

If your kid's school already uses it, you’re likely seeing it for homework. If they don't, it's one of the best resources available for homeschooling or extra support. It isn't 'fun' in the way a video game is fun, but it's satisfying in the way that actually mastering a difficult skill is satisfying.

Age Fit

Perfect for K-8. Younger kids (K-1) will need a parent sitting nearby to help with navigation and the paper components, while middle schoolers can usually fly solo.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

It is built by educators and a nonprofit with a clear mission to help kids actually understand math, not just survive it. The tone is encouraging, the pacing is deliberate, and it avoids the high-stress 'speed drill' vibes of older math software.

Imaginative

While it's a structured curriculum, it focuses on conceptual 'aha' moments rather than rote memorization. It asks kids to visualize numbers, though it's still fundamentally a guided learning path rather than a creative sandbox.

Safe

No ads, no social chat rooms, and no manipulative 'buy more gems' mechanics. Privacy is solid for a school-adjacent tool, though like any educational platform, it does track progress and collect basic student data.

Enriching

This is top-tier pedagogy. It’s one of the few platforms that effectively bridges the gap between digital lessons and physical paper-and-pencil work, which is crucial for long-term retention.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Blended learning actually works; it pairs the screen time with paper-and-pencil 'Notes' so kids aren't just clicking buttons randomly.
It focuses on conceptual understanding, meaning kids learn why 2+2=4 instead of just memorizing the answer.
As a nonprofit, it lacks the gross attention-hacking and 'streak' pressure found in commercial edutainment apps.
The teacher-led videos are high quality and break down complex ideas into manageable, bite-sized chunks.

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What to Watch For

It's still schoolwork. If your kid is already burnt out on math, putting them on Zearn at home might feel like a second shift.
The 'Notes' sections require a printer and a pencil. If you just let them do the digital part, they lose about half the value of the program.
Data collection is standard for educational tech, but it does store personally identifiable information (PII) to track progress.

Conversation Starters

"Which teacher's video did you watch today, and did they make sense?"
"Show me that one drawing you did on your paper notes—how does that help you solve the problem?"
"Was there a moment today where you felt stuck and then figured it out?"
"If you had to teach me this lesson in two minutes, what would you say?"

Deep Dive

Why Zearn Wins the Math Wars

Most parents have a love-hate relationship with math apps. On one hand, they keep the kid busy. On the other, you watch your child 'play' them and realize they are just guessing until the green checkmark appears. Zearn kills that cycle by forcing a 'stop and think' approach. By requiring students to complete printed 'Student Notes' alongside the digital lessons, it forces the brain to engage in a way that just tapping a screen doesn't.

The Nonprofit Difference

Because Zearn is a nonprofit, they aren't trying to maximize 'time on device' to sell ads or subscriptions. This leads to a cleaner, more focused interface. You won't find flashy avatars, complex meta-games, or social feeds. It’s just math. For families trying to reduce the 'noise' in their digital lives, this is a massive win.

Practical Implementation

If you're using this at home, don't just hand over the iPad. The magic is in the blended approach.

Print the materials: Go to the Family Support hub and get the workbooks or individual lesson sheets.
Watch the 'Mission': Each grade is broken into Missions. If your kid is struggling, back up half a Mission to build confidence.
Check the 'Tower of Power': This is the final check for understanding. If they pass this, they actually know the material.

Compared to something like Khan Academy, Zearn feels more like a cohesive classroom experience and less like a library of disconnected videos. It’s a heavy lift for a kid, but the results—actual numeracy—are worth it.

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