My Teachers' Favorite iPad Apps
Teachers in my building could sign up to receive an iPad 2 plus training during second semester. Using Kathy Schrock's iPad app Evaluation Rubric, teachers culminated the first round of training by recommending a favorite reading or math app they used with students in their classroom. ABC Magic Recommended by: Lisa B Grade Level(s): K-1 Content Area: Language Arts Cost: Free
Description A phonics-based series of apps to reinforce sound and spelling patterns. Futaba - Classroom Games for Kids Recommended by: Krista Grade Level(s): K-2 Content Area: Math or Reading Cost: $3.99
Description This app has been popular with my kids because it is a game that more than one student can play at a time. They work together cooperatively and have fun while practicing math facts or sight words. I have used this during literacy time (it was a task that needed to be completed for the literacy menu). I like that you can customize this app to fit the needs of each student or group of students. I would like to see more game content added. There are a few glitches that might need to be worked out. Counting Money Recommended by: Monica Grade Level(s): K-5+ Content Area: Math - Money Cost: Free
Description I would recommend this title and it's similar app titled Counting Money + ($1.99). I have used it whole class and it could easily be used with pairs or individuals. It doesn't have the fancy graphics that some apps have but the sound and real pictures it offers of dollars and coins is great. The settings this app offers allow you to set it for beginners or advanced learners. Within this app are three different types of games: counting only coins, counting only dollars, and counting coins and dollars. Motion Math: Wings Recommended by: Janice Grade Level(s): Ages 4+ Content Area: Math - Multiplication Cost: Free (with option to purchase more levels)
Description This app is a great way to practice math fact skills. There are many levels available for young to older students. Motion Math also has Hungry Fish. Wake the Rooster by Telling Time: Tiny Chicken Recommended by: Bri Grade Level(s): Primary Content Area: Math - Time Cost: Free
Description It's a basic app, but offers repeated practice setting times. I like it because it includes all increments and varies in difficulty. I don't like that it doesn't show the correct time if you get one wrong. Spelling Test Recommended by: Kim Grade Level(s): K-5 Content Area: Language Arts - Spelling Cost: Free
Description This app allows teachers to input spelling words for the week, along with a voice recording of each word, so students can practice independently. The student simply taps on which list they would like to practice, the words are displayed, and when he or she is ready, the student taps on "take test". A word from the list is read orally to the student (in the teacher's voice), and the student types the word on the keypad. If the student needs to hear the word again, there is a button to hear it repeated. Immediate feedback is given to the student following each word. At the end of the test, all words are displayed alongside the correct spelling. There is also the option to have test scores reported by email (I have not used this option, yet). This is a great app to use with students who finish early or students who don't practice at home. Baseball Recommended by: April Grade Level(s): 3-5 Content Area: Math - Multiplication Cost: Free
Description I recommend this app for intermediate students who finish early. It's fun for students to play with a partner; it challenges their multiplication skills. The automatic outs allow both teams to have a chance to play often. It would be better if it had an option to specify facts. Rocket Math Recommended by: Jean Grade Level(s): 3 Content Area: Math Cost: Free
Description Great for all levels - independent use. Kids construct own rocket with $300 to buy boosters, color and rocket. Then they choose a skill area to practice - money, time, multiplication, etc. They earn points based on skill and how high their rocket launches. Math Garden Recommended by: Jen Grade Level(s): K-5 Content Area: Math Cost: Free
Description I would recommend this app for students who need to practice their basic math facts. In Math Garden, you get to grow your own corn fields but you need to water them by answering math questions. You can choose the level of difficulty and the type of problems to practice addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. 24. Math Game Recommended by: Dawn Grade Level(s): 3+ Content Area: Math Cost: $1.99
Description I would recommend this application for developing basic math facts, order of operations, and flexibility in thinking. We use 24 as a warm up for every math class. Kids LOVE it! It is an excellent math thinking game. Each time a student gets 24 by four multiplication/division/subtraction, new cards are dealt. To provide choice, we write down the first set of cards so that if kids want to stick with those numbers to get 24 a different way, they can. I limit the game to five minutes and keep track of who gets 24. iEarnedThat Recommended by: Lori W Grade Level(s): All Content Area: Motivation Cost: $1.99
Description This is a useful app. It allows you to determine a separate reward for each student and monitor their progress. The 3D puzzle is an effective way to see their progress toward their goal. It eliminates charts. Can be used for multiple students. Bluster! Recommended by: Sue Grade Level(s): 2-5 Content Area: Language Arts Cost: Free
Description Bluster! is a language arts app for grades 2-5. It may be used individually, as a team, or two students against one another. It works on adjectives, prefixes, suffixes, rhyming words, homophones, root words and synonyms. Students are working on skills presented in class. They are motivated by the iPad format to practice. Evernote Recommended by: Molly Grade Level(s): All Content Area: Productivity Cost: Free
Description Helps you remember everything across all devices. The app can voice record, capture photos, and make notes. It has a lot of potential for recording student work. Flipboard Recommended by: Molly Grade Level(s): N/A Content Area: News Cost: Free
Description The app works like a cool magazine. It lets you search the Internet for articles in a specific area, then presents them in a magazine format. Story Builder Recommended by: Genesis Grade Level(s): K-5 Content Area: Reading - Story Elements, Inferencing, Answering "WH-" Questions Cost: $5.99
Description This app won Best Reading App of 2011 through the Huffington Post. It allows children to create stories by forming individual sentences using pictures and question prompts. Students record themselves sentence by sentence and play back an entire story they created. The instructor needs to provide the feedback for this app. There are scaffolding options so students can build stories with less prompting. In addition to story elements, this app can be used for inferences, "WH-" questions, fluency, grammar/sentence structure, sequencing and sound production. The pictures and audio feedback are engaging and promote expressive language. Toontastic Recommended by: Matt Grade Level(s): K-5 Content Area: Reading - Story Elements, Fluency, Creativity Cost: Free
Description Student can create a visual story, summarize a book and learn about the elements of a narrative. Teachers should first ask students to write a story board before using Toontastic. The app also asks students to provide narration for the story and practice fluency by recording their voice. When completed, students can celebrate their efforts by sharing their final product on the document camera or mirroring via Apple TV. Math Drills Recommended by: Colette Grade Level(s): K-5 Content Area: Math Cost: $1.99
Description Students have own personal settings for practicing math facts. Kids like the review part because it gives a good visual for skip counting. Boys like the race car reinforcement such as the car noises and the M.P.H. report on how fast you completed your facts. Also, the pit stop lets you go back and redo a problem you missed. The Social Express Recommended by: Jill Grade Level(s): K-5 Content Area: School Counseling - Personal/Social and Health Cost: $89.99
Description I recommend this app for any student who struggles socially to work with others, to make good decisions, and to express feelings appropriately. It would be especially beneficial for students with emotional/behavioral disorders, autism, and Aspergers.