 | 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. |
Numbers League
Common Sense Media says
Superheroes defeat villains in original, creative math app.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Numbers League is an educational game where kids practice their basic math facts while helping superheroes fight evil villains. Set to music like an old fashioned crime show, kids can choose from five different game levels which fall on a spectrum from the most basic of arithmetic to negative numbers and multiplication. The idea of the game is to combine superhero head, body, and feet sections, each one with a number designation, to make a full superhero worth the body parts added together. Players then use superheroes individually or together to fight villains who also each have a total number value. A villain can be defeated if the total value of the superhero(es) selected is equal to the value of the villain. On some levels, special superhero devices can also be added to the superhero numerical value, which expand the range of the superheroes. On the more challenging levels, kids will need to compute totals with addition, subtraction, negative numbers, and multiplication. Once all of the villains have been captured, the game is over. Numbers League can be played as a solitaire game, against one of three robotic computer opponents, against several other human players, or a combination thereof.
What kids can learn
Kids can learn and build on their basic math operations skills with Numbers League. But we're not talking about just 5+3 or 6 x 9 -- to capture the villains, kids have to add, subtract, or multiply, sometimes all within the same problem, to get a target total. Plus, advanced levels include negative numbers. The app requires a bit of strategy and flexibility in thinking about how to mix and match the numbers. Kids defeat bad guys by doing math and can play either alone or with up to 3 others. Numbers League is an adaptive game that cleverly immerses kids in math within an exciting superhero environment.
Subjects
- Language & Reading
- Mathaddition, arithmetic, multiplication, subtraction
- Science
- Social Studies
- Arts
- Hobbies
Skills
- Thinking & Reasoningpart-whole relationships, problem solving, thinking critically
- Creativity
- Self-Direction
- Emotional Development
- Communication
- Collaborationmeeting challenges together
- Responsibility & Ethics
- Tech Skills
- Health & Fitness
What's it about?
Kids can bring out their inner super hero in Numbers League and capture villains with their math powers. Kids create heroes that add up to a sum and try to match that sum to each villain's designated number. Different strategies throughout the process can be used to attain the target number, such as adding multiple heroes' sums. The levels progress in difficulty so that by the last level, it requires a true hero with awesome math skills to succeed.
Is it any good?
NUMBERS LEAGUE is a fantastic educational math game for families to play together. It can be used as basic arithmetic practice, or it can be a challenging activity for adults who want to practice repeated addition or multiplying negative numbers in their head. It engages players with a storyline, fun comic book-style art, and interesting sound effects. Using math to solve real in-game challenges helps kids learn while they play and it makes math seem important. Kids will also have to use logic when creating new superheroes because their tableau can only hold seven superheroes at any given time. Any new superheroes made after that will have to replace one of the existing ones; and kids will need to figure out what superheroes they need to make to take on the existing villains.
The app cleverly allows players to choose between an animated tutorial, where kids play along as they learn how the game works, or a basic tutorial where kids read through the instructions themselves. The many difficulty and option settings help players customize their experience. Since it is a different game each time it is played, it can be played again and again.
What kids can learn
Kids can learn and build on their basic math operations skills with Numbers League. But we're not talking about just 5+3 or 6 x 9 -- to capture the villains, kids have to add, subtract, or multiply, sometimes all within the same problem, to get a target total. Plus, advanced levels include negative numbers. The app requires a bit of strategy and flexibility in thinking about how to mix and match the numbers. Kids defeat bad guys by doing math and can play either alone or with up to 3 others. Numbers League is an adaptive game that cleverly immerses kids in math within an exciting superhero environment.
Subjects
- Language & Reading:
- Math: addition, arithmetic, multiplication, subtraction
- Science:
- Social Studies:
- Arts:
- Hobbies:
Skills
- Thinking & Reasoning: part-whole relationships, problem solving, thinking critically
- Creativity:
- Self-Direction:
- Emotional Development:
- Communication:
- Collaboration: meeting challenges together
- Responsibility & Ethics:
- Tech Skills:
- Health & Fitness:
How kids will learn
Number League puts learning in a fun context. The graphics and music set up a comic book feel that engages kids. Although the hint option could be more useful, kids can easily pick up new strategies in how to solve simple math problems. Combining different operations within one problem can also increase flexibility in math thinking. For example, it reinforces concepts like the inverse principle (7+5 = 12, 12 - 5 = ?). Number League shows that there's more to basic math problems than just drill.
How parents can help
- If kids are stumped, help them determine the best strategies to use in specific cases.
- Play board games that involve math such as Monopoly or Game of Life.
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
Parent
November 16, 2011
AGE
great app
I'm a math teacher and education researcher. My kids, grades 2 and 4, play this often and really enjoy it. The app has different levels, so can be played at an appropriate skill level to keep it challenging. I highly recommend this one!
What other families should know:
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| Topics: | superheroes |
| Category: | Education |
| Platforms: | iPad |
| Price: | $3.99 |
| Size: | 33.60 MB |
| Publisher: | Bent Castle Software, LLC |
| Version: | 1.0.1 |
| Release date: | July 1, 2011 |
| Minimum software requirements: | iOS 4.3 or later |
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