The ultimate goal of reading is good comprehension. We've gathered information about apps that provide practice with specific comprehension skills, including sequencing, differentiating between fact and opinion, developing word awareness (through antonyms, synonyms, and homophones), as well as several mind mapping apps. Mind maps are visual diagrams that help students represent words or ideas and can be used in reading and writing. Browse through our recommended comprehension apps, and follow our links for other reviews.

Click through to the next slide to browse through our recommended comprehension apps, and follow our links for other reviews.

Aesop's Quest, based on Aesop's Fables, is a learning game where the student must remember elements of a story to complete a level. At the end of each story segment or level, the student is rewarded with puzzle pieces. After solving the puzzle, the story is complete and the child can continue to the next story. Developed in association with the Virginia Department of Education.

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Fact or Opinion is a bingo style game that helps students practice determining if a passage is factually accurate or the writer's opinion. A correct answer allows the student to place a marker on a bingo style card. Five markers in a row wins. Levels can be played in single player mode against the computer or multi-player against a friend.

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Reading For Details helps students practice identifying the 5W's of reading — who, what, where, when, and why. After reading a short story, the student is asked a reading detail question, a correct answer allows the student to place on marker on a bingo style card. 5 markers in a row wins. Levels can be played in single player mode against the computer or multi-player against a friend.

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The Opposites app helps children learn vocabulary and the corresponding antonyms by challenging them to match up pairs of opposing words in increasingly difficult levels. The game also helps children understand the importance of word context, and is an opportunity for them to think about how the words they use oppose other words. The Opposites consists of 10 different levels, each stage with a corresponding level of vocabulary. The app also offers a dictionary option that provides definitions and antonyms in a kid-friendly format. For more information read an additional review of The Opposites from Smatoos: The Smart Learning Guide.

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In Opposite Ocean, Luna and Leo must master the magic of words by correctly identify the antonym that is the opposite of the given keyword. Children earn pearls when they drag the correct bubble word to the enchanted clam. Developed in association with the Virginia Department of Education.

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Popplet is a productivity app that also works as a mind mapping tool. Use the app to begin structuring the writing process. The app can also be used to create graphic organizers, classroom visuals, organize material according to text structures (list, sequence, compare–contrast, cause–effect), and to practice sentence combining and complex sentence creation by connecting individual "Popples." Not ready to commit to the $4.99 price tag? Try out Popplet Lite for free. For more information read an additional review of Popplet from Therapy App 411.

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Professor Garfield Fact or Opinion is part story, part game, and part online safety lesson. When Garfield's friend receives an "F" on his report about goats for using opinions instead of facts, Professor Garfield steps in to explain the differences between a fact and an opinion (particularly with regard to the Internet), how to read with a questioning mind, and how a fact can be verified. Developed by the Virginia Department of Education.

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Question Builder is designed to help children learn to answer abstract questions and create responses based on inference. Use of audio clips promotes improved auditory processing for special needs children with autism spectrum disorders or sensory processing disorders. Audio clip reinforcement can be turned on or off for non-special needs children. For more information, read an additional review of Question Builder from Common Sense Media.

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In Same Meaning Magic students help Luna and Leo, young magicians at magic school, toss word stones into the wishing well to earn gold coins and jewels by choosing the best synonym. Developed in association with the Virginia Department of Education.

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Same Sound Spellbound is an adventure designed to help the player understand homophones (words that are pronounced the same but have different meanings, such as "bee" and "be"). Luna and Leo, young magicians at Magic School, must use their spell book to bring animal statues to life. In the game, students must correctly identify the homophone which best completes the puzzle sentence, in a given time. If the word is correct, the animal statue comes to life. If it's incorrect, the statue crumbles. Developed in association with the Virginia Department of Education.

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SimpleMind is a basic mind mapping tool that turns an iPhone/iPod into a brainstorming, idea collection and thought structuring device. SimpleMind's limited options make it a good tool for students that are new to mind mapping. Not ready to commit to the $6.99 price tag? Try out SimpleMind Lite for free.

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Speech with Milo: Sequencing is a sequencing and storytelling game. Slide the three picture cards into correct order (first, next, and last), then watch the story come to life. A speech–language pathologist chose Milo's activities, such as hitting a baseball or eating a sandwich, to help kids learn to organize time, sentence, and storytelling concepts with familiar themes. Speech with Milo: Sequencing is also available in Spanish. For more information read an additional review of Speech with Milo: Sequencing from Common Sense Media.

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