App review by Dana Villamagna, Common Sense Education | Updated June 2012

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Baa Baa Black Sheep - by Duck Duck Moose

Two classic songs spring to life with interactive seek-and-find game

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Learning rating

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by Common Sense

Grades

Pre-K This grade range is based on learning appropriateness and doesn't take into account privacy. It's determined by Common Sense Education, not the product's publisher.

Subjects & Skills

Arts, English Language Arts, Communication & Collaboration, Critical Thinking

Great for

Game-Based Learning

Take a look inside

4 images

Clear written and verbal instructions guide kids into the seek-and-find game.

Sometimes the screen can get a little cluttered with objects, but that also means more interactive options.

Kids see the shapes and names of the objects.

Lines of both songs appear in visually interesting ways.

Pros: Lots of humor keeps kids and adults smiling through the play experience.

Cons: Sometimes guidance is limited, so kids just keep tapping to see what's interactive.

Bottom Line: Colorful, happy app combines music and discovery in an engaging way.

How Can I Teach with This Tool?

Baa Baa Black Sheep - by Duck Duck Moose can be a fun extension activity for kids who have already been introduced to the classic title song as well as "Row, Row, Row Your Boat." Use it to develop visual discrimination; to give kids practice with rhythmic and rhyming word patterns, numbers, colors, and word recognition; and just to let them have fun and enjoy the humorous scenes. This may also be a good app choice for young kids new to using iPads: There's lots of direction, gameplay is straightforward, the songs continue to loop when complete, and there's very little that can go wrong so kids won't get "stuck" in the game.

What Is It?

Baa Baa Black Sheep - by Duck Duck Moose is a sing-along and hidden objects game app for toddlers and preschoolers. Centered on the classic songs "Baa Baa Black Sheep" and "Row, Row, Row Your Boat," it has kids look for certain hidden items -- across many different screens with interesting characters, objects, and backgrounds -- that match the silhouettes at the bottom of the screen. Kids can also just enjoy the many, many interactive elements of each scene and the app's great odd sense of humor, while singing along to both songs and searching for missing objects. Kids navigate a boat while hearing the first song, then sink the anchor to explore underwater while hearing the latter song. Along the way, they can tap on objects and see what funny things happen and uncover the missing objects. They can also tap on the to-be-found objects to see and hear the label.

Is It Good for Learning?

Kids can learn listening and language skills through the songs on Baa Baa Black Sheep. The hidden objects part of the story is a great way for kids to build vocabulary and visual discrimination, and they see and hear the corresponding words. Also, with each verse, the color of the sheep changes, so kids can learn about colors as well. While the app is a little light on learning content, the hidden objects game here is a good way to expose kids to new words and to the rhythmic nature of the two songs.

Learning Rating

Overall Rating

Engagement Would it motivate students and hold their interest? Is it visually appealing? Would it inspire teachers to try something new or change their instruction?

The goofy, irreverent-feeling sense of humor is totally toddler-appropriate. Kids can have a great time just tapping everything they see. Scavenger hunt adds a whole new layer beyond the entertaining interactive story.

Pedagogy Does the tool help teachers promote a more student-centered experience? Will students gain conceptual understanding or think critically? Does it deepen teachers’ pedagogical thinking?

Humor and music build listening and language skills. Though the app's a bit light on learning content, the hidden objects game is a good way to expose kids to words. Shape recognition and a little counting is added, too.

Support Can students and teachers get assistance when they need it? Is it created with people of different abilities and backgrounds in mind? Is learning reinforced and extended beyond the digital experience?

Verbal and written instructions guide adults and kids into the simple hidden objects game. Sometimes, however, kids just need to tap around to find out which objects and characters respond and which do not.

Common Sense reviewer

Dana Villamagna Classroom teacher

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Featured review by
Ruth O. , Technology coordinator

Technology coordinator

Victory Elementary School
Portsmouth, United States

Fun Shadow Exploration

Baa Baa Black Sheep is a fun game for very young children. I like that the app is simple to navigate and easy to understand. Children simply need to explore to find the matching items for the silhouettes presented to them. The graphics are colorful and visually appealing for little children.

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