 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
American Presidents for iPad
Common Sense Media says
Great graphics and interface make presidents come to life.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that American Presidents for iPad is an attractive app with information about U.S. presidents and history that is best for older kids. The app contains a timeline from 1789 to present with major U.S. events, alongside the term and a cartoon representation of each president. Tapping on a president takes you to a description (of about 1500 words) of that president, his policies, and a photo gallery. Also included are descriptions of historical events, including wars, alcohol prohibition, and presidential scandals. Descriptions tend to be at least three paragraphs long, so strong reading skills are necessary. There are eight quizzes and a map showing the growth of U.S. territory. Users can share a link to purchase the app on email, Facebook, or Twitter, and the written descriptions contain links to external websites such as Wikipedia.
What kids can learn
Kids can learn about American history by reading descriptions of the presidents. The timeline presentation gives context for historical events and figures. There's a lot of supplementary material, including texts of important speeches and documents, and portraits of the presidents. Quizzes test users' knowledge of specific time periods and people. Correct answers are displayed after each quiz, though the app doesn't track data or progress. An engaging app for strong readers, this isn't a great fit for kids who need more interaction.
Subjects
- Arts
- Hobbies
- Language & Readingreading comprehension
- Math
- Science
- Social Studiesgovernment, historical figures, timelines
Skills
- Collaboration
- Communication
- Creativity
- Emotional Development
- Health & Fitness
- Responsibility & Ethics
- Self-Direction
- Tech Skills
- Thinking & Reasoningapplying information
What's it about?
American Presidents for iPad contains a timeline from 1789 to present with major U.S. events, including the terms of each president. Users can scroll through and tap on events or cartoon images of the presidents. Presidential pages include 1,500-word descriptions and photo galleries. There are eight quizzes and a map showing the growth of U.S. territory. Users can also use simple menus to view the text of important documents and speeches. External links suggest further exploration on sites such as Wikipedia and Real Clear Politics.
Is it any good?
AMERICAN PRESIDENTS FOR IPAD does an excellent job of presenting a ton of information in an integrated and appealing format. Kids will like the cartoon illustrations, which are supplemented by high-quality photos and paintings. The timeline format is easy to use, and it's helpful to see major events alongside presidential terms. The lack of descriptions for some significant events (such as the Civil or Vietnam Wars) is surprising. Having the amendments on the timeline along with the text of important documents and, in particular, the presidential speeches, is a great touch.
What kids can learn
Kids can learn about American history by reading descriptions of the presidents. The timeline presentation gives context for historical events and figures. There's a lot of supplementary material, including texts of important speeches and documents, and portraits of the presidents. Quizzes test users' knowledge of specific time periods and people. Correct answers are displayed after each quiz, though the app doesn't track data or progress. An engaging app for strong readers, this isn't a great fit for kids who need more interaction.
Subjects
- Arts:
- Hobbies:
- Language & Reading: reading comprehension
- Math:
- Science:
- Social Studies: government, historical figures, timelines
Skills
- Collaboration:
- Communication:
- Creativity:
- Emotional Development:
- Health & Fitness:
- Responsibility & Ethics:
- Self-Direction:
- Tech Skills:
- Thinking & Reasoning: applying information
How kids will learn
The timeline and territory map in American Presidents for iPad connect larger concepts about historical context to facts about the presidents. Animated images and photos make presidential history more relatable and fun, but the primary learning mechanism is reading. Links to external resources provide extensive opportunities for further learning. Kids test their learning with eight quizzes, divided by time period, that focus on recalling specific details from the text.
How parents can help
- Read together about historical events and decisions immediately relevant to today, such as previous financial crises, the Bill of Rights, or the presidential election process.
- Challenge your kid to see who can answer more quiz questions correctly, and try to track your joint progress over time.
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| Category: | Education |
| Platforms: | iPad |
| Price: | $3.99 |
| Size: | 150.00 MB |
| Publisher: | Peripatetic |
| Version: | 1.0 |
| Release date: | August 5, 2011 |
| Minimum software requirements: | iOS 4.3 or later |
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