Subtraction Top-It

Price: $1.99
Grade Recommendation: 2nd - 5th
Subject: Math
Specific Skill: Subtraction
Levels: 1
Players: 2
For iPad, iPod, or Both: Both

This app, like several others I've reviewed, was developed by McGraw-Hill as a companion to their Everyday Mathematics curriculum series. Students in classrooms where the series is used may thrive on the familiarity this app brings.

The object of the game is to score more points than the other player by comparing differences of two cards. After being dealt two cards (each with a 2-digit number on it), the first player enters the difference of the two cards. Player 2 does the same. Next, the highlighted player clicks the arrow that points to the largest of the two differences or hits the tie button (if the differences are equal).

A game consists of eight rounds. Players earn 10 points each time they: correctly enter a difference, correctly compare the differences, and/or have the higher difference.

I like how the cards that are dealt automatically rearrange themselves to put the larger number first (always making 93 - 10, never 10 - 93).

A comprehensive tutorial is included. But players will most likely need to use a slate and/or paper and pencil to compute the differences.

This is one of Everyday Mathematics' better apps. Although you can't control the level, students can definitely practice their 2-digit subtraction skills (with and without regrouping) through this app.