Math Guardians by Jiayi Chong
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/math-guardians/id513132040?mt=8
AppsForHomeschooling.com had it right when they referred to this app an "adrenaline-pumping (...) battle-style math drill app. It was a huge hit with my kids too! The child chooses his character (the dinosaur is particularly beloved) and then battle with creatures set by the computer (different each stage), while jumping in the air to select numbers. When two numbers are selected a math equation is formed with the numbers, and the child must then pick the correct answer from 3 choices. There is also a practice mode also. With points earned for correct math answers, you earn gems and trophies for different achievements and unlock different characters etc. NO in-app purchases, yay for that! The kids think it is awesome and they are learning!
I've deleted the javascript as Rafflecopter doesn't seem to be cooperating today! If you are interested in this
giveaway, please comment in this thread instead,
https://www.facebook.com/SpecialAppsSpecialKids/posts/293169830764371 COMPLETED
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Thursday, April 26, 2012
Monday, April 9, 2012
Academic Apps: Math Support
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Math never being my favorite subject, I really could have used apps like these when I was in school. Look at the wonderful math resources our children have today, if they are lucky enough to have an iPad or iOS device.
Reference Apps:
Count to 100! by Fuzzy Bees
A wonderful app tool for young learners or for those struggling with counting and basic mathematical relationships. Light up the numbers in a number of ways- counting by 1s, or skip counting by 2s, 5s, 10s and 25s. There is also a tap anywhere mode which can be used as a visual tool to demonstrate many concepts such as more or less, before or after, between, and addition, subtraction. *FYI the app has a lock to keep the user from changing the settings, tap the settings button two times in a row to access *
Multiplication Table http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/multiplication-table/id457381162?mt=8 Many more wonderful math apps by the same developer: http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/esa-helttula/id339440196
This is a terrific way to see multiplication represented visually! Keep this app open during math homework!
ModMath https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/modmath/id821892964?mt=8 A great math tool for #dyslexia #dysgraphia Work out your math homework in a neat manner, then mail it to the teacher or print it out!
Game Apps:
Adding Apples HD http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/adding-apples-hd/id464881662?mt=8 More math apps by the same developer here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/operatio/id381799147
The kids love playing with this fun calculator.
Dress App http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dressapp/id469821062?mt=8
Math concepts have never been this fun! Get budding fashionistas to develop patterns with fashionable clothing items. Also see NxtApp 4 Kids by the same developer: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/nxtapp-4-kids/id441101974?mt=8
Freddy Fraction http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/freddy-fraction/id320728417?mt=8 Many more(FREE) academic game apps by the same developer here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/games-lab-at-ru/id320616512
Freddy the alien has to look at clues with decimal equivalents to the path of fractions that lead to his spaceship. This is a FREE app, which means it can easily be used in a school setting!
Fractions. Smart Pirate http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/fractions.-smart-pirate/id486684960?mt=8 More fun academic apps from the same developer here : http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/virtualnye-prostranstva-llc/id486684963
Practice Fractions, Equivalent, Addition and Comparing! Wonderful graphics with easy, medium and hard levels of play. My four year old and my eight year old both enjoy this!
Math Guardians http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/math-guardians/id513132040?mt=8 (iPad) or http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/math-guardians-mini/id524271000?mt=8 (iPhone)
AppsForHomeschooling.com had it right when they referred to this app an "adrenaline-pumping (...) battle-style math drill app. It was a huge hit with my kids too! The child chooses his character (the dinosaur is particularly beloved) and then battle with creatures set by the computer (different each stage), while jumping in the air to select numbers. When two numbers are selected a math equation is formed with the numbers, and the child must then pick the correct answer from 3 choices. There is also a practice mode also. With points earned for correct math answers, you earn gems and trophies for different achievements and unlock different characters etc. NO in-app purchases, yay for that! The kids think it is awesome and they are learning!
Update: Math Guardians now includes data tracking which allows parents/teachers to access scoring and progress information for multiple children!
Epic Math http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/epic-math/id414419801?mt=8
Complete math tasks and earn tokens to spend in the virtual toy shop... my son loves the magic tricks!
Math Evolve Lite http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/math-evolve-lite/id482763850?mt=8 a Full version is available also.
A fun shooting game that requires math! Even your most reluctant math user can get into this!
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/kids-puzzle-play-mathematics/id491263100?mt=8
The kids like practicing math by matching these simple pairs of puzzle pieces together to correct the math equation. Topics covered are Addition, Multiplication, Fractions, Subtraction, Division. There is also a Quiz Mode with mixed topics.
Story Apps:
Jack and the Beanstalk a Mathematical Adventure - HD
Kid and school-friendly app with no ads, social media links etc. Work out math problems integrated into the story of Jack and the Beanstalk; the math changes each time the app is used to keep things fresh.
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Giveaway for Noun Mayhem Level 1
Giveaway for Noun Mayhem HD. The codes are for Level 1, for readers at about the age level of a typical 7 year old reader. http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/noun-mayhem-hd-level-1/id506995646?mt=8
Saturday, April 7, 2012
So Much 2 Say Giveaway, Round 2!
Close2Home Apps has very generously donated another code for their AAC App, So Much 2 Say!
So Much 2 Say is on sale for the entire month of April (in honor of Autism Awareness Month) for $14.99 (normally $24.99)
Here is some more information on So Much 2 Say: http://www.appolicious.com/education/apps/754339-so-much-2-say-picture-communication-close-2-home-apps-llc/developer_notes
So Much 2 Say is on sale for the entire month of April (in honor of Autism Awareness Month) for $14.99 (normally $24.99)
Here is some more information on So Much 2 Say: http://www.appolicious.com/education/apps/754339-so-much-2-say-picture-communication-close-2-home-apps-llc/developer_notes
Friday, April 6, 2012
App Review: Match the Pairs Junior Edition
The kids really enjoy this matching game. In reality it is a suite of matching games- there are 3 different types of matching activities (reading, riddles, math concepts) for three different age groups (4+, 6+ 8+). Each type of activity has four lessons to choose from, so that's 12 activities per age group. Activities range from matching the correct colors (4+), to an activity called The Magnifier, which requires the user to match a close up of an image with a whole image (6+), to filling gaps (8+).
Each activity has a timer feature and the child must beat the clock.
The music and graphics are charming, the game play is educationally sound, and it is a hit with the kids. I also found the sound effects during play helpful to the child- when a correct match is made the cards will make a soft shuffling as they are flipped over. If a match is incorrect a sound is played that can only be described as a record being scratched- it is actually a bit jarring to my ears, but it does clearly indicate the pairing is incorrect. (See Wish List).
I'm not sure if this was intentional or not, but I love the accessibility features built into this app- the pictures can be paired using a dragging motion or any kind of touch, for example, the side of a fist, multiple fingers etc. For those with motor difficulties, this is much appreciated.
Wish List
(I always have one)
I would love to have a toggle to allow music, but shut off some of the other audio features- or better yet a slider bar to control volume. I really love the soft shuffling of the cards as they are paired up, but the audio cue for the incorrect pairing would be more tolerable to my ears at a slightly lower volume.
I would also like to control what language and sound effects are used at the end of a round. I don't mind the sound of clapping and kids shouting "Yay!", nor the visuals such as "First Place" that appear when the user has completed a round successfully. However, when a round is not completed before the time runs out, the user hears kids saying "Aw", along with a frowny face/written message "Oh no! Try again!". I'd actually prefer to not display the frowny face, and instead just say "Try again".
Each activity has a timer feature and the child must beat the clock.
The music and graphics are charming, the game play is educationally sound, and it is a hit with the kids. I also found the sound effects during play helpful to the child- when a correct match is made the cards will make a soft shuffling as they are flipped over. If a match is incorrect a sound is played that can only be described as a record being scratched- it is actually a bit jarring to my ears, but it does clearly indicate the pairing is incorrect. (See Wish List).
I'm not sure if this was intentional or not, but I love the accessibility features built into this app- the pictures can be paired using a dragging motion or any kind of touch, for example, the side of a fist, multiple fingers etc. For those with motor difficulties, this is much appreciated.
Wish List
(I always have one)
I would love to have a toggle to allow music, but shut off some of the other audio features- or better yet a slider bar to control volume. I really love the soft shuffling of the cards as they are paired up, but the audio cue for the incorrect pairing would be more tolerable to my ears at a slightly lower volume.
I would also like to control what language and sound effects are used at the end of a round. I don't mind the sound of clapping and kids shouting "Yay!", nor the visuals such as "First Place" that appear when the user has completed a round successfully. However, when a round is not completed before the time runs out, the user hears kids saying "Aw", along with a frowny face/written message "Oh no! Try again!". I'd actually prefer to not display the frowny face, and instead just say "Try again".