Introduction to 11 educational apps useful for the elementary classroom (ages 8-11). Erin Tullos Belhaven University

1. Educational Apps for elementary
students
Erin Tullos

2. Math Fluency
 Sushi Monster: Sushi Monster is one of my favorite apps for math fluency. It is free, and it is
appropriate for people of all ages (I even like to play it!). The goal is to be fast and accurate.
Levels increase in difficulty. Students are able to choose addition or multiplication. Disadvantage:
it does not include subtraction or division.
 Monster Math: This free app seems similar to Mario Bros. but with a monster. There are monsters
to avoid and problems to solve. The player is given a statement at the top of the screen (i.e.
Equal to 5). The player taps every problem that equals 5 and shoots the bad monsters along the
way. Disadvantage: it only includes division problems.

3. Math Fluency
 Number Run: This app costs $1.99. The game is modeled after Temple Run which my students
love. Answering questions quickly and correctly keeps them running through the course. This app
is good for students with a beginner’s level of fluency. Disadvantage: player must start with very
basic facts in order to unlock new levels with other facts.
 Math Ninja: In this free app, the ninja must protect his treehouse from the catbots and dogbots
by answering questions correctly before the tomato-san reaches him. Disadvantage: a little
slower-paced than the others, so it doesn’t have quite as much appeal.

4. Math Skills
 Everyday Math Equivalent Fractions: This is a free published by McGraw-Hill. Students touch two
equivalent fractions to make a match. Once they have cleared the stack, they win. Disadvantage: I
have not identified any disadvantages to this game. It is untimed, so students have time to write
done the fractions and compare.
 Math Champ Challenge: This app has portions that are free and portions that have a cost. It
provides students with a wide variety of skill review. The Math Challenge at the ‘easy’ level is free
and adaptable for grades 4-7. To play at higher levels or play the Skill Builder section requires a
purchase of $2.99. I would be interested in purchasing the Skill Builder section to be able to
choose which skills to practice. Disadvantage: the only free level is the easy level.

5. Classroom Polling and Quizzing
 Plickers: This is a free app that is a classroom polling tool with only one device. The teacher must
print out a set of cards (similar to QR codes) and assign one to each student. The teacher opens
the Plickers app on his or her device. The device then becomes a scanner for the classroom.
Students hold their card up in the orientation of their answer, and the teacher does a quick scan
of the room. Disadvantage: teacher must spend time entering each question and answer for the
polling session before class begins. I usually stick with 10 questions or less for this reason.
 Quizlet: This is a free app that is great for classroom review. The teacher can create her own quiz
that students can access. They can study with flash cards, matching games, quizzes, or tests. It is
applicable for any subject. Disadvantage: None that I have seen.

6. Classroom Polling and Quizzing
 Kahoot: A free app that students love! Kahoot works best if every child has a device, but partners
or small groups can take turns if not. The teacher searches for a Kahoot (quiz) that matches the
skill or creates her own. When the app opens, students must join the game with a code. Once
they have joined the game, their screen displays four colored blocks. Each color corresponds with
an answer to the question that is displayed on the projector in the classroom. Students click their
answer’s color. They earn points for correct answers and for being the fastest. The app displays
the top five scorers after each round. Disadvantage: I have not found any disadvantages to this
app.

7. Logic
 Lumosity: I love this app! There is a free version that can be upgraded for a fee. Lumosity has fun
games that challenge your brain to think quickly and think outside the box. Disadvantage: the
free version only allows a certain amount of play each day.
 Brain Wars: This is a free app that is great for strengthening logic. This is a skill that is often
overlooked in elementary classrooms. It pairs you with another player, and you compete against
that player for each game. This app has games that work on spatial reasoning as well as number
sense and other logical concepts.