Stack the States

Finding a quality geography program that captivates and educates can be a daunting task for parents seeking to enrich their child's learning experience. After extensively reviewing numerous geography programs, consulting with fellow educators, and analyzing user feedback, I've found that Stack the States stands out for its engaging, interactive approach to geography. Created by Dan Russell-Pinson, Stack the States was developed to make learning U.S. geography fun and memorable, and it has garnered praise for its innovative educational tools. What I love most about this app is how it transforms states into characters that children can manipulate and stack, making learning playful and dynamic. This app is particularly suitable for visual and kinesthetic learners who thrive on engaging, hands-on activities. While the content might not delve deep into historical contexts or offer a decolonized perspective, these are not dealbreakers given the app's educational value in teaching geographical literacy. A pro tip for parents: integrate the app's quizzes with physical maps to enhance spatial understanding and retention.

Grades: Suitable for ages 9-11, but can effectively engage younger children who have begun reading.

Cost: The app is priced at $2.99, with no in-app purchases or ads, making it a cost-effective educational tool​ (Apple)​.

The in-depth review

Geography holds a critical role in education, enhancing students' understanding of the world's layout, cultural diversity, and global interconnectivity. A well-designed Geography curriculum not only sparks curiosity about different regions but also fosters a sense of global citizenship.

About Stack the States

Created by Freecloud Design, Inc., led by Dan Russell-Pinson, Stack the States aims to make learning U.S. geography fun and interactive. The app has been recognized for its innovative approach to education, turning geography learning into a playful and engaging activity.

Who Stack the States is for

This app is ideal for children who are beginning to learn about the United States or those who need a more interactive method to reinforce their geographical knowledge. Its design is suitable for use in homeschooling environments as well as supplementary learning in traditional school settings.

Why I recommend Stack the States for geography

Stack the States utilizes a game-based learning approach which can significantly enhance memory retention and engage students in a way that traditional methods might not. The interactive map and state-specific flashcards are excellent tools for visual learners​.

How Stack the States works

Players answer questions about state capitals, shapes, nicknames, and other trivia to earn states. These states are then used in a physics-based stacking game that challenges users to place states correctly on a map, combining fun with learning. Successfully answering questions allows the user to manipulate and place states, reinforcing their knowledge through active participation.

What Differentiates Stack the States from other Geography programs

Stack the States distinguishes itself from other geography programs through its unique, interactive gameplay that combines educational content with fun, physics-based challenges. Unlike more traditional quiz-based apps or textbooks, Stack the States encourages active learning by having users physically manipulate and stack state shapes on a digital platform. This not only aids in memorizing state locations, capitals, and facts but also enhances spatial reasoning and critical thinking skills as players must balance the states to prevent them from tumbling. Additionally, the app's engagement is boosted with the incorporation of dynamic visuals and sounds, such as states with cute facial expressions and encouraging audio cues, which contribute to a more enjoyable and less stressful learning experience. The game also offers a variety of progressive difficulty levels and additional mini-games that unlock as the player advances, ensuring that the learning remains challenging and fresh. This multifaceted approach to learning helps Stack the States stand out as not just an educational tool but as an engaging game that appeals to a wide age range, making geography learning accessible and entertaining.

What Stack the States covers

• State Capitals: Teaching the capital cities of all 50 states.

• State Shapes: Recognizing and identifying the unique geographical shapes of each state.

• State Abbreviations: Learning the official two-letter abbreviations for each state.

• Bordering States: Understanding which states border each other.

• State Locations: Identifying where states are located on a map of the United States.

• State Nicknames: Learning the various nicknames that states are known by.

• State Flags: Recognizing the flag of each state and what its symbols represent.

• Famous Landmarks: High-resolution images and information about notable U.S. landmarks are included to enhance the learning experience.

• Additional Facts: Includes various other state-specific trivia such as the state bird, state tree, and other unique state facts.

Updates and Additions

Recent updates have introduced new games and features like voice modes to help non-readers and an interactive map that enhances learning engagement. These updates keep the content fresh and more accessible to a broader range of learners​

Benefits and Drawbacks of Stack the States

What Parents Like about Stack the States

• Educational and Fun: The app successfully combines learning with gameplay, making it enjoyable for users of all ages. It teaches state capitals, shapes, abbreviations, and more, through engaging activities​​.

• Interactive and Engaging: Features interactive maps, state flashcards, and the ability to create multiple user profiles, enhancing the learning experience.

• Progress Tracking: Users can track their progress with a personalized map showing the states they've collected, adding a sense of achievement as they learn​.

• Family-Friendly: The app supports family sharing, allowing up to six family members to use the app, making it suitable for household learning.

• Bonus Games: Includes free bonus games like Map It, Pile Up, Puzzler, and Capital Drop, which unlock as you progress, keeping the gameplay varied and interesting.

  Privacy and Safety: Does not collect personal data, contain ads, or integrate with social networks, ensuring a safe environment for children,

What parents dislike

• Limited Content Updates: Some users feel the app could benefit from more frequent content updates or additional mini-games to keep long-term users engaged.

• Price Variation: There is some confusion about the app's price, with variations noted in different sources, which may affect accessibility for some users.

• Platform Limitations: Currently, the app is tailored mainly for iOS users, which could limit access for those on other platforms like Android or Windows,

Special Needs

1. ADHD: The game's interactive and dynamic nature can be particularly engaging for children with ADHD, who often benefit from high-engagement activities that keep their attention focused. The quick feedback and rewards for correct answers can help sustain interest and motivation.

2. Autism: For children on the autism spectrum, the structured learning environment with consistent rules and the ability to work at their own pace can make Stack the States a good fit. The app's visual and interactive style can help these learners engage with the material in a predictable, controlled setting.

3. Dyslexia: While not specifically mentioned in the reviews, the visual elements of Stack the States (like recognizing state shapes and locations) could be beneficial for students with dyslexia who may struggle with text-heavy instructions or content.

Tips from Parents on how to get the most out of Stack the States

Parents suggest using the app as a bonding activity, where they can play and learn alongside their children. This not only improves the child’s learning experience but also allows for shared educational progress. Additionally, setting regular short sessions with the app can help maintain a consistent learning schedule without overwhelming the child​.

Select Reviews from Parents and Teachers

• "This game is my childhood. I love this game so much that I got all three of the bunch!" - User from App Store​ (Apple)​.

• "Since it was one of my goals for my 5th grader to learn his states and capitals this year, and the year is quickly drawing closer toward the end, I needed to find something fun and easy, quick! This game has been a fun and affordable supplement for our homeschool, worth every penny, that we can take with us anywhere." - Reviewer from The Curriculum Choice​ (The Curriculum Choice)​.

• "If you have children who are elementary school aged this is a fantastic educational app that’s also a hoot." - The iPhone Mom via edshelf​ (Edshelf)​.

• "Okay so I love stack the states I have been playing it since kindergarten (am in 6th grade) so I was playing and I saw an ad for your 2nd version along with some fun looking games so I check the games out stack the states two and tower math look so cool only problem they cost money." - User from JustUseApp Reviews​ (JustUseApp)​.

• "My grandson started playing this when he was 4 years old! He was captivated by it and quickly learned all state capitals and positions and shapes! His older sister was a bit jealous." - Reviewer from JustUseApp Reviews​ (JustUseApp)​.

Why Trust Me

With over 20 years of teaching experience across diverse educational settings and a deep understanding of varied learning styles, my recommendations are based on extensive hands-on experience and thorough research into educational tools and methods.

How I Vetted

The review of Stack the States involved analyzing user feedback and engaging with educational experts to gauge the effectiveness of the app. Hundreds of reviews were considered to ensure a well-rounded understanding of the app's impact on learning

What I Looked For and How Stack the States Stacks Up

• Comprehensive: The app covers a broad range of geographical topics including state capitals, shapes, locations, abbreviations, and nicknames, as well as flags and important landmarks. It provides a thorough introduction to U.S. geography, making it quite comprehensive for its target age group.

• Secular: The app focuses solely on geographical facts and educational games without any religious content, making it secular and suitable for a general audience.

• Accurate: The educational content in "Stack the States" is based on well-established facts about U.S. geography. The app is designed to be factual and up-to-date, which is crucial for teaching accurate geography.

• Inclusive: While the app is inclusive in terms of providing educational content that is accessible to children of various backgrounds, it does not explicitly address or incorporate diverse cultural perspectives within the context of U.S. geography.

• Mastery-Based: The app supports mastery-based learning by allowing children to progress at their own pace, offering games and quizzes that adapt to their learning as they master each state's geographic details.

• Aligned with National Geography Standards: "Stack the States" aligns well with National Geography Standards in terms of teaching location, place, and the integration of technology to enhance geographical understanding. However, a detailed curriculum alignment would require further analysis by educational experts.

• Fun and Engaging for Kids: The app is highly rated for its fun and engaging approach. It uses interactive games and animations to make learning geography enjoyable and engaging. The ability to manipulate and stack states as part of the game adds a unique element that keeps children interested.

The Bottom Line

Who is Stack the States an ideal fit for?

Stack the States is perfect for kids who love video games. It suits homeschooling parents seeking a comprehensive tool that makes learning U.S. geography enjoyable and memorable for children.

Who is Stack the States not a fit for?

Children under the age of 9 who are not yet proficient readers may find it challenging without additional support. Also, those who prefer traditional learning methods without interactive elements, or find online games overstimulating might not find it as beneficial.

Alternatives and supplements to Stack the States

• For World Geography: Try Stack the Countries, also by Daniel Russell Pinson. This app expands on the concept of Stack the States by including countries from around the world, providing a broader scope of geographic education.

• For Hands-On Learners: Consider the Atlas Geography Kit. This tool offers a tangible learning experience with physical maps and pieces, ideal for learners who benefit from a hands-on approach to education.

• For a Free Full Social Studies Curriculum: Check out the Digital Inquiry Group (Formerly Stanford History Education Group). This resource offers comprehensive social studies materials and activities designed to promote inquiry and critical thinking.

• For a Book Option: Look into Lindsey the GIS Professional, which also includes online games and activities. This resource can provide a detailed exploration of geographic information systems (GIS), making it suitable for a deeper dive into geography.

• For a Tasty Approach to Geography: Explore Universal Yums. This subscription service delivers snacks from different countries, accompanied by educational materials about the snacks' origins, providing a delicious and educational experience of world cultures and geography.

Value for the Money

Considering its low cost, lack of ongoing costs like ads or in-app purchases, and the educational value it provides, Stack the States is a worthwhile investment for parents looking to enhance their children’s understanding of U.S. geography​

Ways to Get Stack the States

The app is available for purchase on platforms like the iOS App Store, ensuring easy accessibility for users with Apple devices.

Affilate Disclaimer

This review is an unbiased assessment based on thorough research and personal expertise in education. I may earn a commission from purchases made through links in this review, but this does not influence the content of the review.

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