Sprout Labs Apps Review – Water Cycle HD and Recycle HD

This month, we have two new apps by Sprout Labs.

Recycle HD

 

 

 

Travel into the world of recycling. Recycle HD covers the 3R’s;  Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Why should we buy in bulk?  What are the plastic identification codes, and why are they important?  These and other questions are answered by Recycle HD.

The app’s opening screen presents the 3R’s (pictured at top). You pick which stage you would like to learn about. You can read, look at the photos, or view the videos for each stage of the recycling chain.

Water Cycle HD

 

 

 

Water Cycle HD is a similar journey through water cycle. Have you ever wondered where clouds come from?  How they are involved in the water cycle?  Why is the water cycle important?  How does the water move from land to ocean and back again?  These and other mysteries are answered by Water Cycle HD.

Like Recycle HD, the opening screen presents the water cycle. This screen also presents the basic questions and facts about the water cycle.  Read-along and musical soundtrack are present in Water Cycle HD also.

Both of these apps have common organization and features (as do the other three apps I have reviewed by Sprout Labs: Butterfly HD, Plants HD and Ecosystems HD):

• Read-along – Children can read on their own, or the app will read to them. As the text is read, the line being spoken is highlighted, so the child can follow along. A musical soundtrack accompanies learning; an option is available to turn off the music, if desired.

• Quizzes are available throughout the learning experience, with correct answers earning a coin. Earning a coin advances the child to more difficult levels, with more challenging questions.
• Gather even more interesting facts in the “Did You Know?” section.
• Videos, pictures and puzzle content is periodically updated in each app, to keep the learning experience fresh.

Like Butterfly HD and Plants HD, the Recycle HD and Water Cycle HD apps held the attention of our younger children. The older children enjoy them often as well.  I can heartily recommend all of the Sprout Labs apps.

For even more information: Descriptions for each of these high-quality, educational apps are available at the Sprout Labs site. You can also follow Sprout Labs on Facebook and Twitter. All Sprout Labs apps are available via the iTunes store. Currently the price for each app:

• Recycle HD $0.99
• Water Cycle HD $1.99

~Steve keeps busy with five children and a job in information security. He has a second job as principal of the Hodgepodge homeschool and also writes for Habits for a Happy Home and Passionate Purposeful Parenting. You can find more of his technology reviews here at Curriculum Choice.