Math Ninja

Price: $1.99 (free Lite version)
Grade Recommendation: 2nd - 5th
Subject: Mathematics
Specific Skill: Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division
Levels: 3
Players: 1
For iPad, iPod, or Both: Both

This app adequately combines fun and learning! The user is trying to defend their treehouse from a tomato and its army of friends! After hitting so many objects, the user has to solve math problems to move on. Solving the problems correctly 'earns' them money which they can use to buy supplies to enhance their ninja skills.

At the start of each game, you need to choose the Game Mode.

Easy - "Easy mode is great for kids learning math or adults new to games. Math problems are not timed, monster difficulty is easy, and there are unlimited refunds."
Normal - "Normal mode is great for gamers familiar with math. Math problems have a generous time limit, monster difficulty is normal, and there are unlimited refunds."
Ninja - "Ninja mode is great if you are a true Math Ninja! Math problems have a tight time limit, monster difficulty is very hard, and there are no refunds!"

You then need to turn all four operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) on or off. But you can customize it even further by adjusting the exact number ranges that can appear.

Despite the fact that this app presents more like a game rather than a strictly educational app, I still recommend it - especially at this price point. Encourage your students to select more education-based math apps (like Tic-Tac-Math), but this one is a suitable option for them too.