http://motionmathgames.com/motion-math-zoom/
This simple app is fast becoming one of my favorites in the classroom. It is a simple and intuitive number line that helps reinforce place value. The students need to move the number line in order to find the space for a particular number that floats down in a bubble. The number line is moved by sliding a finger. To get larger numbers, the student pinches or un-pinches their fingers. Larger numbers are represented by larger animals such as a rhino or dinosaur while smaller numbers are dogs or frogs.
This app has an even more advanced option as numbers can get as small as amoebas (thousandths) and can delve into negative numbers. I especially like the real representation of the animals in addition to the numbers.
My students have been working primarily with the first three levels. In addition to introducing this glimmer of an idea about place value, the students have really been reinforcing number ordering skills and number recognition.
As in all of our favorite apps, this one is self-correcting. It has really nice and appealing graphics and the sounds are not obnoxious or over praising. In addition, this app has scaffolding and support for students who are struggling. The app offers some "clues" if a particular puzzle is not solved in a certain amount of time.
This is a great app for use:
*partnered with learning / filling out / recognizing numbers on a hundreds chart...
*when you are teaching numbers that are greater than or less than...
*once you introduce numbers greater than 10...
