Lees-McRae College

App Review
Project
By David Pruitt
Media Applications
October 16, 2015

Compass
Math
Grade Level: 3
3.NF.3 (B)
Recognize and generate simple equivalent fractions, e.g., 1/2 = 2/4, 4/6 = 2/3). Explain
why the fractions are equivalent, e.g., by using a visual fraction model.

Suggestions for classroom applications:

Use videos within the app to introduce the subject and expand
through classroom discussion
Use examples explained through the apps online teacher to create
our own and have students complete on the smart board
Provide copies from the notes section and give to students for
reference
Work half of the problems from the apps worksheet together and
assign the other half for homework and grading

ProsandConsofCompassMath

Pros
Multiplewaysoflearningthroughvideo
Pauseavailableforinstructortoaddininformation
Worksheetswithsolutions
Cons
Noareaforquestionsortopicsearch
Examplesduringinstructorbasedlessonareminimal

Pizza Fractions
3.NF.3 (B)
Recognize and generate simple equivalent fractions, e.g., 1/2 = 2/4, 4/6 = 2/3). Explain
why the fractions are equivalent, e.g., by using a visual fraction model.

Suggestions for classroom applications

Use the examples from the pizza to visually identify whether the pizza is representative of an
equivalent fraction or non-equivalent fraction
Use as a game when students have mastered the basics
Use as fun tool to advance from instruction to identifying equivalent fractions visually
Use the application to identify the equivalent fraction and be able to write the fraction in
numerical form

PIZZA
FRACTIONS
Pros:
Multi-purpose app brings learning and
fun together
Great application as a reward for good
behavior
Fun tool for learning visually
Cons:
Doesnt offer oral
instruction
Doesnt focus fully
on equivalency, it is
more hit or miss

3rd Grade
Level

KIDS
WEATHER
Kindergarten

K . E . 1 . 3 : COMPARE WEATHER PATTERNS THAT OCCUR FROM SEASON TO SEASON

Suggestions for classroom applications
Study the topic of seasons as a class, using the graphics and educational tools from the app
Learn about weather patterns through nursery rhymes and songs
Discuss weather patterns associated with cities in the United States
Discuss seasonal weather and climate associated with the season
Discuss extreme weather associated with each season
Pros
Able to customize buttons for each child based on their learning target
Can be associated with the current weather of the season, instructing students how to dress
Winner of PARENTS CHOICE AWARD

Cons
At times the information may be too much for the student
Sometimes too many buttons available can be overwhelming
Better explanations needed of upcoming weather

SEASONS AND
WEATHER

K.E.1.3
COMPARE WEATHER PATTERNS THAT OCCUR FROM
SEASON TO SEASON

Kindergarten

Suggestions for classroom applications

Use the study tools to associate weather patterns with seasons
Use the gaming applications to apply knowledge through dressing the avatars according to the weather
Use gaming to guess what avatars done that day by the weather outside
Help Bibi fill her photo album by searching for certain weather conditions
Pros
Fun through learning
Applications help students use their own knowledge and apply to characters
Considered a curriculum staple
Cons
Limited access, most of the application requires a purchase
Children have limited access to game understanding
Parents need to assist through most of the game

3.E.2.1
COMPARE EARTHS SALTWATER AND FRESHWATER
FEATURES (INCLUDING OCEANS, SEAS, RIVERS,
LAKES, PONDS, STREAMS, AND GLACIERS).

KLU SCIENCE 3:
ECOSYSTEMS
SUGGESTIONS FOR CLASSROOM APPLICATIONS
USE UNIT THREE, ECOSYSTEMS, AND SEARCH FOR: OCEANS, SEAS, RIVERS, LAKES, PONDS,
STREAMS, AND GLACIERS
USE THE UNIT AND COMPARE AND CONTRAST OCEANS, SEAS, RIVERS, LAKES, PONDS, STREAMS
AND GLACIERS
USING MATERIAL LEARNED ON THE WATER ECOSYSTEMS AND COMPARE THEM TO BODIES OF
WATER FOUND NEAR HOME

KLU SCIENCE 3:
ECOSYSTEMS
Grade: 3
PROS
HELPS STUDENTS COMPARE AND CONTRAST VARIOUS TYPES OF WATER
ASSISTS STUDENTS TO RECOGNIZE THE TRAITS OF BODIES OF WATER THAT ARE
FOUND NEAR HOME
APP IS DEVELOPED BY PROFESSIONAL TEACHERS, SPECIALISTS, PSYCHOLOGISTS,
RESEARCHERS AND DESIGNERS
CONS
MUST BE PURCHASED, NOT FREE TO STUDENTS OR TEACHERS
EXCELLENT SOURCE, BUT COULD BE TOO MUCH INFORMATION, SO NARROWING
DOWN TO THE BODIES OF WATER MAY BE TIME CONSUMING

3.E.2.1
Compare Earths saltwater and freshwater features (including
oceans, seas, rivers, lakes, ponds, streams, and glaciers).
Suggestions for classroom applications
Use the section on ecosystems to research bodies of water
Use information from bodies of water and compare within the salt water
and freshwater
Use information gathered to apply to bodies of water at home
Compare the bodies of water at home to those that are far away
Compare each with the other (oceans, seas, rivers, lakes, ponds,
streams, and glaciers)

ELEMENTARY

SCHOOL
SCIENCE

Grade 3
DAYSPA

ELEMENTARY

SCHOOL
SCIENCE

PROS
HAS A WIDE OVERVIEW OF TOPICS WITHIN THE SCIENCE FIELD
STUDENTS CAN LEARN THROUGH READING BY SUBJECT
STUDENTS HAVE ACCESS TO LEARN VISUALLY WHILE THEY ARE READING WITH READILY
AVAILABLE PICTURES
HAS A WHOLE SECTION ALONE DEDICATED TO WATER
CONS
NOT A FREE APP, SOMEWHAT EXPENSIVE
EASY FOR CHILDREN TO GET DISTRACTED WITH SO MANY TOPICS AT HAND
SOURCE INFORMATION NOT READILY AVAILABLE, ONE MUST DO THEIR OWN RESEARCH TO
VERIFY THE CREDIBILITY OF THE APP

LUMIO
3.OA.7
Fluently multiply and divide within 100, using strategies such
as the relationship between multiplication and division (e.g.,
knowing that 8 5 = 40, one knows 40 5 = 8) or
properties of operations. By the end of Grade 3, know from
memory all products of two one-digit numbers.

Lumio
Suggestions for classroom applications
Students can use this application after learning their basic multiplication
tables and completing course work
Play missing factors as a class (on a smartboard) to familiarize class with
different sections of a multiplication problem
Use multiplication and division games to show students the relationship
between multiplication and division

Grade 3

Pros
Three different games for students to select from
Provides games for multiplication and division, which would
work perfectly to show the relationship between
multiplication and division
Helps students boost problem solving skills through gaming
Designed for common core standards
Cons
Students can only get so far in the game before being
required to make a purchase
Hasnt updated in a while, there may be bug issues
without routine maintenance

Lumio

Multiplication

19

Genius x

3.OA.7
Fluently multiply and divide within 100, using strategies
such as the relationship between multiplication and
division (e.g., knowing that 8 5 = 40, one knows 40 5
= 8) or properties of operations. By the end of Grade 3,
know from memory all products of two one-digit numbers.
Suggestions for classroom applications
Use this game with the students for classroom participation to
apply knowledge learned during multiplication lesson
Have students stay on the same level at once and compete for
class prizes
Use multiplication genius as a visual aid to help students with
basic beginning memorization
Continue using the apps multiplication genius to flip the problems
and see the relationship with division

Grade: 3

PROS AND CONS

Pros
Rated almost 5 stars
Three different levels for students to select form based on their
proficiency
Upon completion, gives students stars for good work
Cons
Issues with game freezing at the end of games
More issues of freezing occur when higher levels are reached
Game does not offer children more fast paced questions, sometimes
simple questions allow the same time for more difficult ones

GREEN$TREETS

GRADE LEVEL 5

UNLEASH THE LOOT!

5.E.2.1-EXPLAIN THE IMPORTANCE OF DEVELOPING A

BASIC BUDGET FOR SPENDING AND SAVING

SUGGESTIONS FOR CLASSROOM APPLICATIONS:

Explain the importance of building a budget to students and do one
together as a class with this game
Give students the option to earn money through the app
After instruction on budgeting and saving, let students spend their
money on their needs through this game and save along the way

GREEN$TREETS

GRADE LEVEL 5

UNLEASH THE LOOT!

PROS
GOES HAND IN HAND WITH THE STANDARD OF BUDGETING SAVING
HAS THE OPTION TO EMAIL PARENTS AND TEACHERS LETTING THEM KNOW
THE STUDENT REACHED THEIR FINANCIAL GOAL
FUN GAME TO SAVE ANIMALS WHILE BUDGETING AND SAVING

CONS

NOT GEARED TO FIFTH GRADERS BUT GOES HAND IN HAND WITH

STANDARD
LACKS PROPER UPDATES
MAY BE DIFFICULT FOR CHILDREN TO STAY FOCUSED ON THE STANDARD
THEY ARE TRYING TO ACHIEVE

SAVING WHIZ JR
Suggestionsforclassroomapplications:
Afterlearningbetweensavingandbudgeting,setpretend
goalsasaclassanddecidehowwearegoingtoreachthose
goalsandhowlongitwilltake
Continuingprojectforstudentsthroughouttheyear:Pickan
actualitemthatisnotanecessitythattheywantandhave
themsettheirgoal,calculatehowlongitisgoingtotakeand
tracktheirprogress
Communicatewithparentsontheprojectandgivethem
accesstotheapplicationtoworkwiththeirchildrenon
budgetingandsaving

---FIFTH GRADE LEVEL---

PROS:
Goal oriented while educating at the
same time
Helps students learn on a personal level
through applying knowledge of saving and
budgeting towards their own financial
goals
Allows students to upload photos of
items they want to save for

5.E.2.1
Explain the importance
of developing a basic
budget for spending and
saving.

CONS:
To reach certain points
of the application,
purchases must be made
Does not allow students
to take money out of the
savings until goal is
reached
Could use more pointers
on how they should reach
their financial goal

References
Classmate, L.L.C. (2011). Compass Math Prep. (Version 5.4) [Mobile application software]Retrieved
from http://www.yourteacher.com.
West, Brian. (2010). Pizza Fractions 1. (Version 1.7) [Mobile application software]. Retrieved from
http://www.brianwestapps.com.
Just In Weather, L.L.C. (2012). Kid Weather. (Version 2.2) [Mobile application software]. Retrieved
from http://www.kidweatherapp.com.
Tribal Nova. (2011). Seasons and Weather ! (Version 1.9.2) [Mobile application software]. Retrieved
from http://www.ilearnwith.com.
Representaciones Orbita. (2015). KLU Science 3: Ecosystems. (Version 1.0.2) [Mobile application
software]. Retrieved from http://www.klu-app.com.
Sprout Labs. (2013). Elementary School Science. (Version 1.0) [Mobile application software].
Retrieved from http://www.sproutlabs.net.
Lighthouse Learning Studios Ltd. (2014). Lumio. (Version 1.1) [Mobile application software].
Retrieved from http://www.lumiokids.com.
Blue Onion Soft. (2010). Multiplication Genius x19. (Version 1.1) [Mobile application software].
Retrieved from http://www.blueonionsoft.com.
GreenStreet Commons, INC. (2012). Green$treets: Unleash the Loot! (Version 1.2) [Mobile
application software]. Retrieved from http://www.greenstreetcommons.com.
PF Wiz L.L.C. (2013). Saving Wiz Jr. (Version 1.0) [Mobile application software]. Retrieved from
http://www.pfwiz.com.