Review by Debbie Gorrell, Common Sense Education | Updated August 2014
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Dragon Shapes - Lumio Geometry Challenge (Full Version)

Get it now
  • Download from App Store

Boost critical-thinking skills with fun tangram puzzles

Subjects & skills
Subjects
  • Math
Skills
  • Critical Thinking
Grades 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.
Pre-K–3
Common Sense says (See details)
Teachers say (1 Review)
Price:  $2.99
Platforms:  iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch

Take a look inside

4 images
The homescreen includes an easily accessible play button and an adult section with adjustable settings and more information.
Kids drag and rotate shapes to complete puzzles.
Four levels include a total of 50 puzzles.
Kids build vocabulary and spatial reasoning skills.

Pros: Colorful puzzles promote early geometry, spatial reasoning, and problem-solving skills.

Cons: Lacks a system for tracking student progress.

Bottom Line: This engaging tool teaches younger kids about shapes and their attributes while building spatial reasoning and problem-solving skills.

How Can I Teach with This Tool?

It should be easy to use Dragon Shapes: Geometry Challenge in the classroom, although if you do, you'll need to use your own method for tracking progress. The game would work well as an exploration tool during a geometry unit. As kids learn about shapes, have them complete a level on their own. Then discuss the level as a class, making a group list of shape attributes as part of the discussion. Challenge kids to create their own tangram puzzles to share with their classmates. 

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Standards:

Tangram puzzles are powerful math tools that help kids develop an array of essential geometry skills. Dragon Shapes: Geometry Challenge puts these puzzles at kids' fingertips. The game begins with a story about rescuing a dragon, and each level introduces a new chapter of the story. Kids are given tangram-style puzzles to complete, which can be done by dragging shapes and rotating them to fit the puzzle. The game includes four levels and a total of 50 puzzles. Kids have to finish a puzzle before moving on to the next one, and they're provided with essential vocabulary and other information before starting the puzzles. Kids aren't penalized for repeated attempts, and can access hints along the way. An adult section provides information about the game's educational goals, settings, and privacy policy. 

Dragon Shapes: Geometry Challenge is a set of interactive puzzles that teaches kids early geometry concepts while touching on some important Common Core math standards. As they work on tangram-style puzzles, kids learn attributes of shapes, including triangles, squares, rectangles, hexagons, trapezoids, pentagons, and rhombi. The puzzles help kids develop spatial awareness and an understanding of geometric relationships. In Level 1, for example, kids have to rotate triangles to form squares. This reinforces the idea that moving shapes doesn't change their attributes, and that small shapes can form larger composite shapes. Kids also learn about right angles and parallel and perpendicular sides. The puzzles are an exciting and interactive way for kids to build strong geometry and problem-solving skills. 

Overall Rating
Engagement Is the product stimulating, entertaining, and engrossing? Will kids want to return?

Colorful puzzles challenge and engage kids as they work to save the village dragon. 

Pedagogy Is learning content seamlessly baked-in, and do kids build conceptual understanding? Is the product adaptable and empowering? Will skills transfer?

Tangram-style puzzles promote learning beyond basic geometry concepts. Kids build spatial awareness and problem-solving skills. Puzzles increase in difficulty as kids progress through the four levels. 

Support Does the product take into account learners of varying abilities, skill levels, and learning styles? Does it address both struggling and advanced students?

Kids get plenty of encouragement, and they can access hints as they play.

Common Sense Reviewer
Debbie Gorrell Educator
About our ratings and privacy evaluation.

Key Standards Supported

Geometry

  • 1.G.1

    Distinguish between defining attributes (e.g., triangles are closed and three-sided) versus non-defining attributes (e.g., color, orientation, overall size); build and draw shapes to possess defining attributes.

  • 3.G.1

    Understand that shapes in different categories (e.g., rhombuses, rectangles, and others) may share attributes (e.g., having four sides), and that the shared attributes can define a larger category (e.g., quadrilaterals). Recognize rhombuses, rectangles, and squares as examples of quadrilaterals, and draw examples of quadrilaterals that do not belong to any of these subcategories.

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Teacher Reviews

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Featured review by
Callie A. , Classroom teacher
Classroom teacher
Great app for learning shapes, but it times you.
I think it is great for learning how shapes can be manipulated, works with fine motor skills.
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