iPad Math Apps - Math Operations

I sometimes get overwhelmed when it comes to finding math apps, there are a lot of apps out there, but I can never find what I am looking for. What makes a math app usable? What are cheap options that students will enjoy?

Typically when it comes to looking for a math app, you either want an app that covers one topic extremely well or an app that covers multiple topics that students can practice and work on.

We will be spending the next few posts discussing various types of math apps that are available for all grade levels. If you want your subject to be next, post a comment below and I will be sure to include your subject next.

I have more math apps downloaded than anything else. Every time I see a math app that has gone free, I must download it! Here is a list of some of my most used apps, along with the specifics of each app.


Basic Operations

Hungry Fish - Basic operations math app that can challenge even the best of the adults. Combine number bubbles together and feed the fish the correct numbers, but be careful if you put bubbles together and the number is to big then you lose those bubbles. As you feed the fish it slowly gets bigger, but over time begins to shrink out of existence.

Math v Zombies - what is better than shooting zombies? Well shooting zombies and instead of killing them, they turn back into humans! In order to transform the zombies back into humans you must answer math questions before the zombies catch up to you.

WileD MathFacts - A simple idea of popping bubbles as they drop. The levels get progressively harder as students show mastery of the operations they are currently working on. Add negatives, remove the game timer, and compete for the high score. There is a lot you can do with this app.



Math Zoom - Great for number line practice. Zoom in and out of a number line and place the numbers in the correct spots, additional challenges are available as you unlock levels.

Card Clutter - An app designed to help students determine ordering in numbers. You are given 10 cards and tap them in the order from least to greatest. Simple and effective!


Stay tuned, follow this blog or sign-up to receive these posts via e-mail! The next series of posts will cover apps appropriate for elementary, middle, and high school as well as the topics they cover in mathematics!

Stay Effective!

The Clicker Games

In our previous posts, we have discussed using clickers for the educational stand point of effective data and how to appropriately use our clickers to engage students through formal assessments.

Let's not take a look at some ideas of how we can incorporate clickers into lessons, reviews, and games.

For English/Writing

Ideas modified from games I enjoy. This one is similar to apples to apples, but somewhat in reverse. Have on the board the ability to select Option 1 through Option (however many groups you want) + 1.


Call out a word that the students do not know and each group is responsible for writing a definition for that word similar to how a dictionary would write it. The teacher at this time also writes on a card the correct definition. The teacher then reads all the definitions in an order and each individual student chooses which definition (based on the options) is the best one. Students choosing the correct one can score a point and to promote higher thinking, students that's option was selected most also earns a point.

Most Subjects

At the summer camp I work at during summers, we also introduced our staff using two truths and a lie, where you share two things that are true and one that is a lie and the group has to try to guess what the lie is. Clicker version means that you give each student a question and they are responsible for writing things about that topic or question where 2 of them are true and 1 is false. You can then read them out loud and students will choose 1, 2, or 3 as the lie. In math I can see this useful with properties of shapes such as angles, congruent sides and so on.


Review Game

Ever watch the show 1 vs 100? Basically, a question is asked, the crowd answers it and if the one person can't answer the question then the crowd wins the money. In this version you can have one lucky student answer the questions in the front of the room like a game show host, then the crowd could answer then the one person answers. Winners earn whatever prize you might have.

Every watch who wants to be a millionaire? Well you can do the same idea similar to 1 vs 100 except that the objective as a whole is to get to the million dollar question, so when asking the crowd the students want to help as much as possible.


In the end, there are a lot of options out there when it comes to clickers and activities you can do with them. Clickers are great for getting quick data on where your students are at or if a lesson worked the way it was planned. Clickers are naturally engaging and provide a sort of "reset" when changing the pace of the class. If you have not yet used these great devices, I encourage all to give them a try.

Yes, if requires a bit of work to set up and get the slides working properly, but if you make them well enough, making the slides could be a simple 1 time thing.

Stay Effective!