MathTappers vs Sentence Reading Magic
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
MathTappers
This app helps learners develop an intuitive understanding of fractions by relating them to halves and using estimation in addition and subtraction problems. It emphasizes sense-making through visual models before procedural mastery, and is best used alongside classroom activities.
- Intuitive fraction understanding
- Estimation for addition/subtraction
- Visual models for fractions
- Sense-making before procedures
- Supports classroom learning
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MathTappers: Fraction Estimation is designed to help learners to build their intuitive understanding of fractions by helping them to relate fractions (both symbols and pictures) to the nearest half (e.g., 0, 1/2 1, 1 1/2, 2, etc.) and then to extend their understanding by challenging them to use fraction estimates in addition and subtraction problems. Learners should be able to master the challenges in this app before moving on to formal operations with fractions. We recommend that this app be used in conjunction with classroom or tutoring activities to support consolidation, mastery and fluency through a series of manageable challenges. The purpose of this app is to support learners as they are developing their understanding of fractions, fraction symbols and fraction operations by emphasizing sense-making through estimation and the use of visual models. Evidence suggests that if learners are taught formulas and procedures before they develop understanding, then they may not be motivated to spend the effort needed to make sense of what they are doing. We want to support sense-making before procedural mastery. This app is not intended to be mastered in one shot – rather levels should be assigned judiciously to support classroom learning activities. After introducing each fraction idea (fraction estimation, and estimation of sums and differences) in a classroom presentation, explanation or discussion this app may be used in small group and individual activities to support exploration, sense-making, consolidation and remediation. Design: Tim Pelton & Leslee Francis Pelton Programming: Mike Anderson, Joshua E. Smith & Garrett Reimer The designers of the MathTappers apps are math educators and researchers seeking to create simple games that will help learners to make sense of mathematics one concept at a time. We have designed MathTappers apps to support students in learning mathematics by providing relevant visual models, focused content linked games and helpful suggestions for parents and educators. Please check out all of our MathTappers apps (links found at MathTappers.com): MathTappers: MultiMatch--a matching app that challenges learners to match sets of cards placed on the table. This is our newest MathTappers app. Although it comes with a deck and you can download others from our website, it was really designed to encourage teachers and students make and share their own matching game decks to capture their understanding and challenge others. Please go to mathtappers.com and check out our instructions on the right to find out how to make your own decks MathTappers: Clock Master--learn to tell time MathTappers: Estimate Fractions--make sense of fraction sums and differences MathTappers: Find Sums--learn basic facts for addition and subtraction MathTappers: Multiples--learn basic facts for multiplication and division MathTappers: Equivalents--equivalent fractions, decimals and percents MathTappers: Numberline--find relative positions of numbers on a numberline, MathTappers: Carbon Choices--help students explore their carbon footprint.
Sentence Reading Magic
This app helps emerging readers transition from reading individual words to reading full sentences. It uses evidence-based reading principles and engaging games to build phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension.
- Sentence reading practice
- High-frequency word games
- Phonemic awareness activities
- Phonics and blending
- Vocabulary building
- Fluency and comprehension practice
- Decodable sentences and books
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Introducing "Sentence Reading Magic" – the app designed to transform your child into an excellent reader! Built on evidence-based Science of Reading principles, this app bridges the gap between reading words and reading books, focusing on the crucial skill of reading sentences. By offering a gradual and enjoyable step up from reading individual words, it instills confidence and fosters skill building in emerging readers. With its Sentence Reading Magic feature, this app empowers children to become proficient readers while familiarizing them with essential high frequency words and guiding them from reading words to reading sentences. By providing practice in decoding, blending, and comprehending complete sentences, it prepares young readers to tackle decodable sentences and books, all while boosting fluency and comprehension skills. What sets "Sentence Reading Magic" apart is its incorporation of the five pillars of reading – Phonemic Awareness, Phonics, Vocabulary, Fluency, and Comprehension. Through engaging games and activities, the app helps children recognize and manipulate individual sounds in words, understand the relationship between letters and sounds, expand their vocabulary within a sentence context, and practice reading sentences repeatedly to enhance fluency and comprehension. The app offers four captivating sentence games that aid in building, reading, and spelling out short, simple sentences. Additionally, it includes five mini-games for learning and practicing the most common high-frequency words, using a phonetic approach to help children see patterns within these words. "Sentence Reading Magic" boasts 324 sentences divided into 27 lessons, multiple sound and voice options, and three font choices. However, it's important to note that the app requires children to have a prerequisite skill level of consistently and easily reading 3-letter short vowel words before use. Developed by a team of educators using accelerated learning techniques, Montessori principles, and the Science of Reading, "Sentence Reading Magic" has undergone rigorous testing and garnered approval from preschool children and their teachers in various settings. Your feedback and suggestions are highly valued as we continue to refine and enhance the app for an optimal learning experience. Don't miss this opportunity to unlock your child's reading potential with "Sentence Reading Magic" – where learning to read becomes a magical journey!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: MathTappers at Free against Sentence Reading Magic's $4.99. MathTappers also leads on ratings volume (80 vs 11). Sentence Reading Magic's advantage is rating (4.4 vs 3.1) and in-app purchases (none vs 1). On ads, monetization model, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
MathTappers is free to download; Sentence Reading Magic costs $4.99 up front. MathTappers sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Sentence Reading Magic asks for nothing beyond the download.
Sentence Reading Magic holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: MathTappers has 80 ratings behind it against 11, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 67% of MathTappers's written reviews are positive against 100% of Sentence Reading Magic's.
MathTappers ships an update every 33 months, Sentence Reading Magic every 2 months. Both last shipped on October 15, 2026.
| Parameter | MathTappers | Sentence Reading Magic |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $4.99 |
| Rating | 3.1 (80 ratings) | 4.4 (11 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 66.7% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 80 — better | 11 |
| Update frequency | Every 33 months | Every 2 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | 12.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 10 MB | 309 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Joshua Smith | PRESCHOOL UNIVERSITY |
Customer experience
MathTappers
Sentence Reading Magic
In-app purchases
MathTappers
- Expanded Version$0.99
Sentence Reading Magic
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is MathTappers free?
Is Sentence Reading Magic free?
Which has better reviews, MathTappers or Sentence Reading Magic?
Do MathTappers or Sentence Reading Magic have ads?
Which is updated more often, MathTappers or Sentence Reading Magic?
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