Monkey Math App

  Monkey in the Middle Math app is an app that can be used on individual iPads.  It is a common core based app for students who are ages 10-14 and are in middle school.  The app is a game that allows students to have fun while practicing their math skills.  The math skills that can be worked on in game game are:

• Addition
• Subtraction
• Multiplication 
• Division
• Number properties
• Area and Volume
• Median, mean, mode
• Decimals
• Converting numbers
• Converting unit

The students look at these math facts and use their quick thinking to pop the balloons with the correct number on it.  As they go through the facts, they will get points for the level and be able to move on. Once you pass the level, you can unlock higher levels.  

In my classroom, I use this app as an incentive for one of my students.  One of my students has trouble focusing in class and is always a disruption to the others.  I have been trying to positively inspire him to follow expectations by giving incentives for him to earn.  If he can last all day without losing all of his letter strikes then he gets to use my iPad and play a math game.  

This incentive works for many reasons.  First, it positively encourages him to do the right thing and follow instructions.  Also, it is an incentive that he can work towards and achieve.  It also is on an iPad which is a cool tool for this student because he does not have the technology at home.  He loves the iPad (at the beginning of the year, he asked if he could touch it once so he can say that he has actually touched an iPad before).  This also reinforces basic math facts.  This is a great incentive and app to use in the classroom.