Common Sense Media Review
Interactive textbook powerful tool, but pricey.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Download
Videos and Photos
Earth Primer
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's It About?
EARTH PRIMER has five chapters: Earth's Interior, Surface, Water Cycle, Biomes, and Sandbox. Each chapter is organized into content areas, or mini-lessons, that focus on a particular concept. For example, Earth's Interior includes mini-lessons about Earth's core, the mantle, volcanoes, rifts, the crust, and plate tectonics. With the exception of Sandbox, all previous chapters must be completed before unlocking the next one. Once kids finish the first chapter and the tutorial for the second chapter, Sandbox mode is unlocked. Then, additional tools are accessible as kids continue to finish chapters.
Is It Any Good?
Earth Primer brings textbooks to a new level with its interactive features and innovative Sandbox mode. Kids can virtually explore a variety of Earth's features and visualize the effect of certain actions such as rain and weathering. The resource is a useful, hands-on learning tool and could work well as instructional support. However, some of the content lacks detail, and many of the animations are too fast: Some kids may have a hard time following them. Also, at the current price point, it's surprising there isn't an assessment tool.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about some of the surface features they've directly observed, such as mountains and valleys. How did they form?
Work with kids to make a three-dimensional model of a volcano using clay, paint, vinegar, and baking soda. Discuss limitations of the three-dimensional model and the model in the app.
Have kids make an illustrated glossary of terms they learned.
App Details
- Devices : iPad , Mac
- Subjects : Science : geology , weather
- Skills : Thinking & Reasoning : applying information , asking questions , investigation , memorization , Self-Direction : academic development
- Pricing structure : Paid
- Release date : February 24, 2015
- Genre : Education
- Publisher : Chaim Gingold
- Version : 1.0.2
- Minimum software requirements : iOS 7.0 or later
- Last updated : November 11, 2020
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate