Hard Work this blogging

Sorry for the absence. I promise this will not be a regular thing to go so long between posts. I have been researching to try to figure out how to link an image to the app store so that you can go straight to the app and download it. I think I have it figured out so hopefully it will work.Leave me a comment if it does not.

So... Now on to the next app.

Since I highlighted a reading/language arts app last time, I am going to feature a few different math apps that I really like.

The first is also a free app. It is great for students who are learning number concepts such as place value as it helps them study the tens and ones in a variety of ways so you can tell if they really understand the concept and hone in on the specifics of where they are confused. This is called Splash Math. There is more to it though than just tens and ones. There is also Numbers and Comparison, Addition, Subtraction, Addition Strategies, Subtraction Strategies, Mixed Addition and Subtraction, Two digit operations, data and graphs, Time, Money, Measurement, Geometry, and then Addition and Subtraction refresher.However, only the first two sets are free. You can purchase the rest if you really like it later. As a student reaches a certain percentage correct, the next skill is unlocked. So, the harder questions that will frustrate lower learners will not be asked until they are ready for them and yet the higher level students are not stuck on an easier skill than they are able to do. They will keep progressing. In addition to Splash Math for 1st grade, there is one for 2nd, 3rd, etc. If a student is too high for even the most challenging, place them on a 2nd or 3rd grade level so they are being individually challenged. It is an easy way to do differentiation. Again, click on the picture for a link.

The second App I want to feature is a great paid app. Now, I said it was , but in reality it is much more. It combines addition, subtraction, spelling, and sight words into one $.99 app. It cycles through them all to keep them engaged. It gives one question of each type and then will cycle around. Another great aspect of this app is that even if you only have a few iPods or iPads for your class, it has the ability to keep track of up to 4 students at a time and be able to track their progress. Like splash math, it will also start easy and get harder as the student is ready for it. Great differentiation!

Hope you are able to use these. Post comments to tell me what kinds of things you are interested in.

Welcome Bloggers!

I am new to this whole "blogging" thing, but I really enjoy getting ideas from other blogs so I am going to try it out.

Please be patient as I figure this out.

So,
I figure I will post great ideas I stumble across, things I create for my own munchkins and any tech stuff. I started this because I had several people in my district ask me to just tell them great apps to use with the iPod touches our district purchased for the schools. If you know of great ideas, please post them and help us create a great learning community as we move into the technology age.

Without further adieu, here is my first contribution to the first grade techies out there.

My favorite app I have found so far is made by Lakeshore. It covers a lot of the skills we learn in first grade phonics such as: blends, digraphs, long vowels, syllables, etc. It is called TicTacToe phonics interactive. Here is a sample round. My students loved using it in small group on the iPad.

 

click the image for a link to the app in the app store.