We are not exactly sure what a Squeeble is, but apparently they love cake and fractions, and your little bakers-turned-mathematicians will also. This app focuses on the basics of fractions including modeling fractions, equivalent fractions, comparing fractions, and simple fraction addition.
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App Overview
Squeebles Fractions is another app in the Squeebles series of apps that encourage fluency in basic math operations. As with most of these apps, young mathematicians are rewarded for successful math practice. They earn badges that are needed to unlock the game. This app in particular provides basic fraction practice to young mathematicians.
Fraction Practice Focus:
- Understanding equivalence of fractions as representing the same size
- Identifying equivalent fractions
- Comparing fractions with different denominators
- Addition of fractions with common denominators
- Addition of fractions with unlike denominators
- Denominators are limited to the numbers 2 to 12 with an emphasis on 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, and 12
This app is organized into four different skills practice sections.
Fraction Games:
- Piece of Cake: Select the correct number of slices with in a circle model to match the given fraction
- Requires an understanding of equivalent fractions
- 60 seconds to complete as many as possible
- Level 1 (easier): Simple fractions such as 2/3, 1/3, 1/4, 1/2
- Level 2 (harder): Slightly harder fractions such as 4/5, 1/6 , 1/3, 3/6, 5/7
- Tricky Pairs: Math pairs of equivalent fractions
- Timer keeps track of how long it takes you to find all the pairs
- Limited denominators: 2,3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12
- Level 1 (easier): Eight numbers matched into four sets of pairs
- Level 2 (harder): 18 numbers matched into nine sets of pairs
- Think Big: Compare two fractions by dragging the cake to the bigger of two fractions
- 60 seconds to complete as many as possible
- Level 1: 3/4 vs 1/2 1/4 1/3 3/4/2/3/
- Level 2: 5/12 vs 5/8 7, 11,
- Super Sums : Answer 10 fraction addition questions by selecting the answer you think is correct.
- Timer keeps track of how long it takes to answer 10 questions
- Level 1 (easier)
- Choose of one of two possible answers
- Limited common denominators: 2, 3, 6,
- Answer in lowest terms
- Examples: 1/4 + 1/4 = ? (1/2) or 1/3 + 2/3 = ? (1)
- Level 2 (medium)
- Choose one of three possible answers
- Limited common denominators : 2, 3, 4, 6, 12
- Level 3 (harder)
- Choose one of four possible answers
- Unlike denominators: 5, 10,
Running throughout all of this fraction practice is the game part of this educational app. The game centers around building cakes with different cake mixes, fillings, icings, and toppings. A number of correct answers or completed practice sessions earns the player different cake options. Once a player has earned these cake options, he can put them together into a his own unique cake combination. Combinations get judged and rated by a panel of three Squeeble judges. See if your kids can figure out the taste combinations that the Squeebles find appetizing!
Instructional Ideas
- Challenge young mathematicians to a fraction bake-off. Who can come up with the most outrageous cake combination? Let them vote for their favorite, and celebrate a year of fractions with an end-of-year cake.
- When a player get a wrong answer, the app does tell them the correct answer, but does not include an explanation. Have students provide their own explanations for some of those problems that they missed.
Classroom Considerations
- Even though this app lacks a good reporting feature, it does provide good beginning fraction practice. Consider this app as another useful learning tool to help learners gain fluency and understanding when working with fractions.
- Occasionally, the feedback a player gets on his results is questionable. If you answer all the problems incorrectly, the app still says "Well done!", and you still earn points for the cake show. Granted, you do earn fewer points.
- Multiple players are allowed
Pros
- This is a fun app that does capture a young fraction learner's attention. The Squeebles are cute, little animated characters and the cake show is a fun competition.
- The fraction games are easy to understand, and do provide good practice for understanding the basics of fractions
Cons
- There are many opportunities to earn trophies or cake components, each time interrupting the fraction activity with a screen announcing your winnings. Keeping some learners focused on the fraction activity might be challenging.
- Each app in the Squeebles series seems to have different setting and reporting cababilities. This one is extremely limited in both. There are no settings to customize the game. Performance summary information is limited to game scores.