Drill Math Word Problems—Banana Math

Drill Math Word Problems—Banana Math contains word problems and reading-comprehension exercises. From the main screen, users must select the type of problems they want to engage. If math problems are selected, users must choose if they want to “practice” or “play” math problems, and both types of problems present users with a semi-illustrated word problem and a series of answers. Users must select the correct answer from the options provided, and they can use a digital whiteboard to solve the problems. If users select the correct answer, they advance to the next question. If users select the incorrect answer, they have a second chance to select the correct answer. From the main screen, users can also select reading-comprehension passages and questions. Here, users select a book level to read and then a story. Users are then presented a reading passage. After they have read it, they tap the “quiz” button on the bottom of the screen, and then answer a series of comprehension questions. Users do have access to the text while answering the questions.

Please note: Only a limited amount of content can be accessed from this app for free. Users will need to make an in-app purchase to access the majority of this app’s content.

Instructional Ideas

1. Teachers can have students complete the word problems independently. As they complete the problems, teachers can monitor students by making sweeps of the room and offer assistance as needed.
2. For accountability while students solve math problems, teachers can require them to show their work on the digital whiteboard.
3. After students become familiar with the format of these word problems, teachers can have students create three of their own word problems that follow the semi-illustrated style used by this app. These word problems can be created using the Explain Everything app. After students create their word problems, they can exchange their iPads with a classmate who then solves them.
4. Teachers can use the reading-comprehension passages to show basic reading strategies. For example, teachers can have students skip the first reading of the passage and go directly to the quiz. Here, users can read the questions and then read the text. By reading the questions first, it will inform students’ reading of the passage. Lastly, after the questions and passage, students can answer the questions.
5. After becoming familiar with the questions that accompany the reading passages in this app, teachers can give students a common text. Students will be responsible for reading the text and creating questions for it. Teachers can then have students write their questions on the board, upload them to a class website, or submit them via email. Teachers can then give classmates access to the questions so they may answer them.

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