This year, thanks to our generous parents, we were able to pilot iPads with our Pre-K, Kindergarten and 1st graders. Each class received five iPads loaded with (only!) educational apps, and the children played with these apps during center time. When I walked in to classrooms with these new gadgets after Christmas break, I found I had an immediate hobbit-sized fan club - the kids LOVE iPads. Everyone involved was impressed by how engaged the kids were while learning basic building blocks in language arts and math. The EC team met earlier this week to discuss the program, and among the topics discussed were classroom favorites, as we look to build our library of "apps that work" for next year. So, in no particular order, I offer you the favorite educational apps among the littlest students of HTS during the spring semester of 2012:
(All apps can be purchased from iTunes or the AppStore, and many can be run on iPhones in addition to iPads)
1.
Don't Let the Pigeon Run the App
This app is more than simply an online story book - it lets children create their own Pigeon stories with their pal, Mo Willems. Our pigeon-loving students loved the creative possibilities of the three games on this App.
2.
Super Why
This was a huge favorite among the younger set. Based on the PBS series, this app offers four games:
Lickety Letter Hunt, Wands up Writing, Rhyming Time and
Story Saver. The children love the graphics, and are able to earn stickers as they successfully complete the games. Stickers are a big deal for these kids :)
3.
Math Bingo
This game offers the option to practice math facts in addition, subtraction, multiplication and division... or a mix of all problems. It was very popular with our 1st graders this year, who loved the quirky little creatures that took up residence on their bingo boards. It is possible to set up a player profile, so you can see which problems your child is solving correctly.
4.
Word Bingo
This was a huge favorite among our first graders, but it is possible to set leveled word lists from Pre-Primer through 3rd grade. Like Math Bingo, the kids found love the critters on the bingo board. Beyond the bingo game, the app also offers a spelling practice options.
5.
Teach Me Kindergarten
The children loved to earn stickers while learning important kindergarten skills such as addition, subtraction, sight words and spelling. It is possible to set specific topics for the children to work with.
6.
Teach Me First Grade
Again, earning stickers was very motivating to our students while they learned all-important skills such as addition, subtraction, sight words and spelling. It is possible to set specific topics for the children to work with.
7.
Bobo Explores Light
Mr. Denny reported that this was a huge favorite in his 1st grade class. The
Bobo Explores Light iPad book takes fundamental science concepts for school-age children, and injects them with humor, astonishment and whimsy. It is truly wonderful.
8.
Pirate Trio - Love to Count
This lovely, engaging British game introduces numbers as being the indicators of order, time, weight and quantity. Parents are provided a tracking screen which is helpful for evaluating a child's progress. The kids love this game.
9.
Pirate Trio - Love to Read
The companion to Love to Count is an app inspired by Montessori teaching methods designed to lead children through the steps of getting to know words and understanding how to apply them. The child shakes the iPad or iPhone to scatter the letters, and the challenge is to put the letters back into place so the word is re-constructed again. This was a favorite in the kindergarten and PreK.
10.
Little Matchups - Count Money
OK, I'll be honest. This wasn't one of our student's favorite games, but a game that speaks to an area of weakness for many of our students. The "Little Matchups" games are very visually appealing and easy to use for the kids. Be sure to explore others by this game designer.
We'll be hunting for great new apps to introduce in the fall, so let me know if you discover any wonderful new titles.
No comments:
Post a Comment