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Apps Analysis

By Stefan Dubowski

Montessori Math: Add, Subtract

Application icon for Montessori Math: Add, Subtract" app. The icon is a cartoon alien.

One download, many options — that’s the charm of this highly customizable app. Six- to nine-year-olds choose from a variety of activities to help them learn to add and subtract numbers with two or more digits. The stamp game and the abacus (“bead frame”), for instance, break large numbers into smaller quantities so that they’re easier to work with. Meanwhile, the tablet feature shows how different number combinations like 16+9=25 and 12+13=25 can result in the same total. Number range and other details are adjustable, making this portable practise program appropriate for children at all skill levels.

DEVICE: Apple; Android
SOURCE: iTunes ($6.99); Google Play ($4.99)
RATING: 4+; Everyone
EDULULU RATING: 4.5/5

Le bonheur de lire dès 3 ans

Application icon for "Le bonheur de lire dès 3 ans" app. The icon is a cartoon dog.

Introduce kindergarten students to cute animals who are eager to help them master basic French words. The developers of this app worked with Françoise Boulanger, a renowned French expert in early reading, to create six games that assist with learning new words via vowel sounds, consonants and syllables. It’s crafted with clear, concise instructions and a dashboard to track a player’s progress. It’s also designed for children to use independently, with no ads or external links. However, students should have an understanding of the language — when using it on their own — seeing as the instructions are in French.

DEVICE: Apple; Android
SOURCE: iTunes ($6.99); Google Play ($3.99)
RATING: 4+; Everyone
EDULULU RATING: 4.5/5

Brian Cox’s Wonders of Life

Application icon for "Brian Cox’s Wonders of Life" app. The icon is a closeup of a butterfly.

Brian Cox, renowned physicist and BBC host of the Wonders of … series, takes children aged 9+ on a journey through nature with this immersive app. Students can explore photos and videos of animals — ranging from hermit crabs to great white sharks, and kangaroos to chameleons — in their habitats, as well as the special physical features such as powerful jaws, strong legs, or whatever else helps them to thrive. The app does a deep dive into microcosmic creatures, and even features scientific details such as how human sight, hearing and thermodynamics work. It’s a wonderful way to spark interest in biology, ecology and the natural world.

DEVICE: Apple; Android
SOURCE: iTunes ($1.39); Google Play ($2.01)
RATING: 4+; Everyone
EDULULU RATING: 4/5

*EduLulu is part of Groupe Média TFO, a world leader in education. The online guide’s evaluations are the work of teams of independent experts (including OCTs), who review up to 100 English, French and bilingual educational apps (iOS and Android) each month for ages 2 to 17. To access the complete list and search by filter, visit edululu.org/en. Interested in becoming an EduLulu evaluator? Go to oct-oeeo.ca/pyy9nz to learn how to get involved.