FLUP

Price: $1.99 (Free version also available)
Grade Recommendation: 3rd and up
Subject: Challenge Puzzle
Specific Skill: N/A
Levels: Many!
Players: 1
For iPad, iPod, or Both: Both

This app is meant for your visual-spatial learners who are ready for a challenge! This app is visually-appealing and simply complex! It's a 3-D puzzle that requires swiping and tapping to solve. It comes with more than enough levels that are unlocked based on performance.

The app gives the user a small picture of the completed puzzle. S/he will then need to slide and/or tap the individual cubes to correctly replicate the shown solution.

I highly recommend this app for use in classrooms where the occasional challenge is greeted with open arms!

SET

Price: $7.99 (iPad), $2.99 (iPod)
Grade Recommendation: 3rd and up
Subject: N/A
Specific Skill: Critical Thinking
Levels: 2
Players: 1 - 4
For iPad, iPod, or Both: Both

This is one of the pricier apps I'll feature, but it's worth every penny you'll spend. Those of you familiar with the visual perception game SET will be able to comprehend this app immediately. Others can visit http://www.setgame.com/set/index.html for an overview.

Users can choose between the basic and advanced decks. Basic uses 3 features (color, symbol, number) and Advanced adds a fourth feature - interior shading. MANY more customization features are included - from the color scheme to displaying the reason an identified set was incorrect.

In a classroom, you'll most likely have a small group of students play SET. However, this app also comes with six solitaire game modes - Classic, Sprint, Marathon, Puzzle, Arcade, and Rediscovery. Individual students are free to explore each of these modes.

An interactive tutorial is also included.

A quick Internet search revealed the traditional card version of SET currently sells for $9.67 - more than the price of the app. But in my opinion, the app version is MUCH better! SET - in either form - is a must have for classrooms that promote critical thinking.

Analogy

Price: $.99
Grade Recommendation: 2nd - 8th
Subject: N/A
Specific Skill: Critical Thinking
Levels: 3
Players: 1
For iPad, iPod, or Both: Both

As a gifted program teacher, my eyes are always peeled for apps that hone my students' critical thinking skills. This app does just that! In it, students analyze one analogy and find the missing word or picture to complete another. For example, "Cotton is to fabric, as English is to (language). Immediate feedback is given.

The settings option allows you to customize the experience. You can select whether each analogy is made up of words or pictures. There's also 3 levels. Each round can contain 10, 15, or 20 analogies.

This app is well worth its price. High-achieving students will certainly appreciate the challenge it provides.