Having recently read a thread about DragonBox (sorry no link), does anyone else think that some iPad games can also be used as tools for building critical thinking skills? As summer activities I'm trying to get my DS6 started in logical thinking. However, he is less than impressed with books (not saying anything about the books; he just doesn't like doing them). So...iPad to the rescue! :D We recently discovered Where's My Water, and he loves it. Can't get enough of it actually. The more I look into it the more I think this type of game is good for him. In his quest to get the alligator his water, my son has spent countless hours thinking. Of course he doesn't look at it as work, which I think is the beauty of the whole thing. So that got my started looking for other games of this nature. I think 'Cut the Rope' is also a good one, although not quite as captivating for DS. Of course there's the billion variations of Angry Birds. Great game, but not really good as a logic tool. Any other ideas?

Thanks everyone for the great ideas! We now have some great material for summer and into next year. Now if he could sit still longer :D

My DS who is six decodes at about a 5th or 6th grade level (I guess this based on his reading of Hardy Boys books with minor difficulty). The issue we are running into now is that books that are age and emotionally appropriate are too easy for him. Can anyone recommend some books (preferably a series) that provide a good reading challenge but are still appropriate for his age? Thanks!

I think at least the TB and WB are needed as a baseline. We have found the IP offers a set of problems at a somewhat higher level than the WB and are a good source of reinforcement and enrichment (the Challenge ones are really great). The CWP are also good if you feel your student needs or craves the challenge (or to torture them when they get cocky :D). Depending on your comfort level with primary math generally and your understanding of the Singapore method, you may or may not need the Home Instructor Guide. I used the HIG sparingly to make sure I am covering the material in the "Singapore way" so as not to have it bite us later.

Totally off topic, but... I also found that the search function leaves much to be desired (also not digging that 'are you human' check). So I just go to google and enter my search terms, plus site:thewelltrainedmind.com For example: art of problem solving site:welltrainedmind.com Pulls about 10,000 hits. HTH.

Thank you for the links. Sounds like I'm gonna have to check that out.

Thanks for the links. The PDF was pretty cool :D

Sorry I meant to ask for the bar modeling book for teachers. I looked at their site and there are so many of them.

Could you please link to the Bar Modeling book? :bigear: Thanks!

Nevermind. Dr. Math explains it very clearly :tongue_smilie: