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App review by Amanda Bindel, Common Sense Education | Updated July 2012
Mermaid Waters HD: A Story-based Preschool Math Game

Mermaid Waters HD: A Story-based Preschool Math Game

Strong early math game with enchanting mermaid story

Learning rating
Editorial review by Common Sense Education
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Grades
Pre-K–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
Math, Critical Thinking
Platforms:  iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch
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Take a look inside

5 images
The mermaids must rescue the animals trapped in ice bubbles.
Kids work on pattern completion as well as other math mini-games.
Kids practice addition with the aid of manipulatives.
Kids play with stickers they earn.
Summary reports are available in-app, but detailed reports can be accessed online through the parent account.

Pros: Story-based game reels kids in, makes learning fun.

Cons: No easy way for teachers to view reports for multiple students.

Bottom Line: Engaging games cover a broad range of kinder math CCSS.

How Can I Teach with This Tool?

Use Mermaid Waters as an in-class math station option. Kids drawn to sea creatures or mermaids will be thrilled with the story, but won't miss out on any quality math practice. Signing up to receive reports for each student would be pretty cumbersome for a teacher, but the reports could be an excellent parent-communication tool to show parents what kids are working on, doing well on, and struggling with. If kids have daily or weekly at-home math skills practice, Mermaid Waters would be a good option, one that kids would look forward to playing (and learning) with.

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Standards:

Editor's Note: Mermaid Waters has closed and is no longer available.

Mermaid Waters: A Story-based Preschool Math Game consists of math mini-games aimed at kids in pre-K and kindergarten. Kids help mermaids Hana and Cory rescue sea creatures as they tackle math problems, such as identifying the ice cube with more or fewer fish trapped in it and popping bubbles with a number in them. Targeted skills include number recognition, addition, comparisons, shapes, and pattern completion. After kids play a game to rescue a sea creature, they earn a sticker they can play with in the "stickery." Parents can sign up to receive progress reports that include an explanation of the targeted skills and games, but there's no teacher dashboard to provide a snapshot of an entire class.

Mermaid Waters is a great way to engage kids in math. More feedback would help kids understand when they've gotten an answer correct or incorrect, however activities are aligned with several Common Core State Standards for kinder math and are done in a fun and motivating way. The overall theme of Hana and Cory rescuing sea creatures is maintained throughout the activities and levels, and provides a great way to drive the plot and activities forward. The sticker reward system is a fun addition for kids.

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?

Mermaid fans will love playing. The story-based theme keeps kids engaged and adds purpose to the activities. The sticker reward system is a fun touch.

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?

Great range of early math skills develops depth in number literacy. Even with the story-based rescue, math is baked in to each mini-game.

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?

Parents or teachers can sign up to receive detailed reports about kids' progress. Kids don't receive much feedback about their answers, though.

Common Sense reviewer
Amanda Bindel Classroom teacher
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Key Standards Supported

Counting And Cardinality

  • K.CC.6

    Identify whether the number of objects in one group is greater than, less than, or equal to the number of objects in another group, e.g., by using matching and counting strategies.1

  • K.CC.7

    Compare two numbers between 1 and 10 presented as written numerals.

  • K.CC.4

    Understand the relationship between numbers and quantities; connect counting to cardinality.

Geometry

  • K.G.2

    Correctly name shapes regardless of their orientations or overall size.

Measurement And Data

  • K.MD.2

    Directly compare two objects with a measurable attribute in common, to see which object has “more of”/“less of” the attribute, and describe the difference. For example, directly compare the heights of two children and describe one child as taller/shorter.

Operations And Algebraic Thinking

  • K.OA.1

    Represent addition and subtraction with objects, fingers, mental images, drawings2, sounds (e.g., claps), acting out situations, verbal explanations, expressions, or equations.

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