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Thursday, July 10, 2025

App Reviews By: Kaylee Howard

 App Reviews

Kaylee Howard


Content Standard: MA19.1.6Add and subtract within 20.

 

Review #1:

XtraMath Review: https://www.commonsense.org/education/reviews/xtramath

è Common Sense Education, the website in which the third-party review was found, is a credible source for many educational resources. Their staff collects information from outside reviews and researches websites individually to provide honest, credible information to users.

     XtraMath is a free, easily accessible website that allows students to practice fluency of addition and subtraction facts. It is also available as an app for a one-time fee of $4.99. Accessibility is available on tablets, mobile devices, and computers. It is suitable for elementary age students, as it practices skills ranging from addition and subtraction, through multiplication and division. XtraMath is based on the idea that providing students with fifteen minutes of fluency practice per day will increase their overall math skills. While there are not many frills or added features to the structure of this resource, it is easy for younger students to navigate and access. It provides students with multiple rounds of practice with fact fluency, presenting the problems in different engaging situations. Students can “race the teacher”, track their progress, and earn certificates that celebrate their achievement.

 

Review #2:

iReady Review: https://www.commonsense.org/education/reviews/i-ready

è Common Sense Education, the website in which the third-party review was found, is a credible source for many educational resources. Their staff collects information from outside reviews and researches websites individually to provide honest, credible information to users.

     iReady is a personalized, diagnostic resource that supports the development of math fluency. By administering a diagnostic exam at the beginning of student use, it evaluates the needs of learners to place them on a tailored “path”. This path provides learners with lessons that support and miscues or errors in their mathematical understanding. By completing lessons in their paths, students can earn coins that redeem games, characters, and special items in their shop. Teachers can also assign lessons to students for them to complete. This resource is available for students K-8th grade. It is accessible on all user platforms through the website or on the app. iReady is not available for at home purchase, and its licensure is sold through packages to schools or districts. It is $34.25 per student per subject area.

 

Review #3:

Gimkit Review: https://www.commonsense.org/education/reviews/gimkit

è Common Sense Education, the website in which the third-party review was found, is a credible source for many educational resources. Their staff collects information from outside reviews and researches websites individually to provide honest, credible information to users.

     Gimkit is a fun, game-style review website that students can access to master skills. It was designed to make classroom quizzes and review more engaging and interactive. Currently, there are 27 different game modes available on Gimkit. Students are shown a question, then provided with different answer choices. With each correct answer, money is earned that can be spent on different power-ups and rewards. The application provides direct feedback for students, supporting their understanding. Gimkit Basic is available for free. Educators wanting to purchase Gimkit Pro can access this through a charge of $14.99 monthly, or $59.88 annually. Gimkit can be used throughout the elementary setting, but is most applicable, due to the multiple game modes, for upper-elementary students.

 

Preferred Resource: Xtra Math

     Overall, the application that I feel is most supportive of the standard addressed is XtraMath. Though it is simple, it is effective. Its reoccurring review of addition and subtraction fact fluency reinforces necessary skills throughout the mathematical content area. It is simple and easy to navigate, making it accessible to all learners throughout the elementary setting. XtraMath is also a free resource that provides feedback to both the students and the teachers. Additionally, it provides an incentive for progress through its certificate program. By using XtraMath to support fact fluency, students will feel more confident in their mathematical ability, leading to a more developed and prepared classroom population.

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