What is Star Toaster and Orphs of the Woodlands at Tangletree?
I first learned about Star Toaster when we reviewed the original Orphs of the Woodlands that was on PC. Basically, it's a story that the child reads on screen. However, along the way, the child learns vocabulary, grammar, science, history, and even math skills that are presented in the form of a challenge style game where you obtain job skills/listen to learn and learn to listen and then use these skills/knowledge to complete a job/answer questions and gain stars needed to purchase items for the orphs.
This new version of Orphs of the Woodlands at Tangletree was sent to me as an iPhone app. Of course, it's also downloadable for the iPad and iPod Touch as well and is intended for iOS 8 or later. I have an iOS 9 version on my phone, so I was good to go.
The story follows the adventures of a flying squirrel named Abba who takes care of 6 orphs in his tree fort, called Tangletree. As your child reads the story, he or she will help take care of the orphs by completing challenges that focus on learning a variety of subject matter to obtain stars used to purchase supplies for the orphs.
It includes a 122-page story with an easy-to-read font for ages approximately 9-11. As your child reads the story, he or she encounters links, popups, animations and videos that teach 75 lessons on the subjects of vocabulary, grammar, math, science, and thinking skills, as well as the arts. You are offered more than 130 learning skills to acquire, which are called jobs. As your child works through the story and learning challenges, the parent is able to view reports that show your child's progress. The app allows access to an unlimited number of children for use, so multiple siblings are not a problem.
This new version of Orphs of the Woodlands at Tangletree was sent to me as an iPhone app. Of course, it's also downloadable for the iPad and iPod Touch as well and is intended for iOS 8 or later. I have an iOS 9 version on my phone, so I was good to go.
The story follows the adventures of a flying squirrel named Abba who takes care of 6 orphs in his tree fort, called Tangletree. As your child reads the story, he or she will help take care of the orphs by completing challenges that focus on learning a variety of subject matter to obtain stars used to purchase supplies for the orphs.
It includes a 122-page story with an easy-to-read font for ages approximately 9-11. As your child reads the story, he or she encounters links, popups, animations and videos that teach 75 lessons on the subjects of vocabulary, grammar, math, science, and thinking skills, as well as the arts. You are offered more than 130 learning skills to acquire, which are called jobs. As your child works through the story and learning challenges, the parent is able to view reports that show your child's progress. The app allows access to an unlimited number of children for use, so multiple siblings are not a problem.
How Did We Use It?
The story is 122 pages long with 23 Chapters. When the child stops and comes back to the app, it continues where he or she left off.
The story is 122 pages long with 23 Chapters. When the child stops and comes back to the app, it continues where he or she left off.
The opening screen reveals options for going back to the Map/home screen (The compass icon), Chapters/reading the story (The book icon), Stumptown where you obtain stars by completing jobs (The star icon) or Goals of completing challenges (The tree icon).
Each tree house reveals the number of jobs available and chances to obtain stars. This constantly changes as the story progresses.
The child learns the "job skills" through "Job Training" segments and then is tested/completes work to gain stars. When the answer is correct, it highlights in green and stars are gained. When the child gets an answer wrong, the toaster blows up, the wrong answer is highlighted in red showing the correct answer in green, and no stars are given.
The goals appear throughout the story revealing how many stars are needed to attain the needed supplies.
I was impressed that they even found a way to incorporate Math skills into the story.
What Did We Think?
OK, I will completely admit that this app was thoroughly enjoyed and 100% mother approved. If you're going to allow electronics in your learning time, this is definitely an app to get. It is easy to maneuver, and completely educational - no fluff or goofy animations or voices that sometimes accompanies children learning games. All of the game challenges were completely related to the story and skills or knowledge obtained through reading the story and clicking on the links to learn more.
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Read what other members of the TOS Review Crew thought by clicking on the picture below:
Hi Tere,
ReplyDeleteCan't tell you how thrilled we were that you signed up to review "Orphs of the Woodlands at Tangletree". We thoroughly enjoyed your review of our online program, and it was fun reading your thoughts about our app. LOVED your screenshots and layouts. Thank you for putting so much time and energy into the review. It was very thorough. You're amazing! Please thank your daughter for her help, too.
Your Friends,
The Star Toaster Team
P.S. We're big fans of Puddle Jumping!