ABC Phonics

Cost: Free
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/abc-phonics-animals-writing/id376573687?mt=8

Pros: The free app has 50 different animal words that student's trace. If the animal is Bee, the student can practice writing the word "bee" or can switch to practicing just the letter which will allow them to practice "B and b". Students can also choose between tracing in blue, red, green, or yellow so they are able to use a different color each time so they do not get bored.

Cons: If a student is practicing the word Bee, and switches to letters, they only get to practice the letter "Bb" not the "Ee" as well. There is also no correct way of tracing the letters so if students are drawing and not tracing the words, no one would know.

How to use in Education: This app would be a great one to use for centers. A group of students could be working on the Ipad's tracing words instead of using mini chalkboards or whiteboards. This is also a much more engaging way for students to practice handwriting instead of just old fashioned paper and pencil.

ScreenChomp

ScreenChomp is a free app great for any subject, especially math. It is similar to writing on a white board. There is a red, a black, and a green marker along with an eraser. The great perk to this is that you can record what you write along with your verbal explanation simultaneously. When you are done recording your session, you can save it and share it with friends and the teacher via screenchomp.com or save your own personal notes.
This app could be used when working on math exercises, group work, and lesson explanations. Because you can write, erase, and record your work easily, it's easy to share work done during homework assignments and information with classmates. Having lesson explanations accessible to students 24/7 is helpful for them to review how to do problems. The students could record their math notes as well to refer back to during homework. Group collaborations and other activities are easy to do on this app as well. When the teacher gives a problem, the students could open ScreenChomp, and record how they solve the problem. It shows the teacher how much the student understands.
The ZigZag app is very similar to ScreenChomp. ScreenChomp is more kid friendly. Students starting in the 5th grade could start using ZigZag easily. There are other white board apps that cost money and that have the same uses as these apps. It would be pointless to pay for other apps as ScreenChomp and ZigZag do the same job.

How to Post to the Blog

If you are in Concordia University Wisconsin's elementary methods block, you should have received an invitation to be an author on the blog.  I used your CUW email.  Accept the invitation.  If you are having trouble finding your invitation, check your Junk folder.  If you follow the link in the invitation you should be prompted to sign in using your Google user name and password.  Then once you are signed in you can make your first post from the dashboard.  You will notice icons at the top of the text box to help you add pictures, videos, links, spell check, etc...

Math Zombie

Math Zombie is an addition app. The goal is simple: in 10 seconds, players must combine numbers to equal the number in the big yellow box. Players must clear the board to move to the next level. Points increase when more numbers are combined. In order to double your points, players must use the same color numbers. It is a quick thinking addition game, and the zombie theme is fun for kids.

Pros: FREE, easy to catch on right away, has several difficulty levels, fun "Zombie" theme.

Cons: Sometimes its not possible to pick numbers that are of the same color, so you receive less points for picking mismatched colors. Only in addition.

math hunt

I reviewed the math hunt app. In this app it is a timed game where you have hunt to the answer to various math problems from addition to division. The object is to get all the answers done before the time runs out. this app would be good for fourth and fifth graders wanting to practice basic math facts. this app has different settings so you can change the skill level as well. this app is a free app and is a good way to challenge students in basic math facts.

Clock Master

Finally an interactive clock! Clockmaster app provides a tutoring mode and game mode in the traditional digital clock. A reading mode for players to practice telling time is the other mode provided. It even allows for users to take away the minute hand and practice the hour times. At the end of your game, the app gives you the chance to update your progress. This free app made for telling time would work great in the classroom, because it allows for presentation under a document cam as well as group and individual work. I app-laud this app for its use individually and for the class.

Logix Domino Lite

This week I decided to find an app that was more of a logic puzzle. Logix Domino Lite is a free app that allows the user to put dominoes in the correct places on the grid. There are several different options, including a small, medium or large grid, and levels "easy" and "normal". I think it a useful app in the classroom because it is a brain-game, challenging students to look for patterns and analyze the grid. When I first got the app, it was a struggle to get the dominoes onto the grid, because they did not seem to move unless I tapped both squares on the grid where they went. One of the nice things about this app is that when you click on a domino, it gives several options where it can be placed; however, it does not tell the player if (s)he has the domino in the wrong place. If the user realizes that a domino is misplaced, it can be moved in much the same way it is place initially. In a classroom, I might use this as an individualized activity for students who have completed homework early, or introduced it to students on the iPad, eventually challenging them to create a similar domino game in real life.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/logix-domino-lite/id372759433?mt=8