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Saturday, October 12, 2024

App Reviews - Brittani Scott

K.CC.1 Count forward orally from 0 to 100 by ones and by tens. Count backward orally from 10 to 0 by ones.

Endless Numbers: 


Endless Numbers is a fun app that helps kids learn numbers and counting through colorful animations and cute characters. Kids can trace numbers, solve simple math puzzles, and dive into different activities that help them recognize and understand numbers in a playful way. It costs $4.99 to download, making it a great investment for preschool and kindergarten kids (ages 3-6). The app works on both iOS and Android devices, so it’s pretty accessible. Common Sense Education is a trusted source for app reviews, providing solid insights into how well the app works for learning.

Moose Math - by Duck Duck Moose:


Moose Math is a great way for kids to pick up essential math skills through fun games that cover counting, addition, and even shapes. What sets Moose Math apart is its adaptability. The app adjusts to each child’s learning level, providing personalized practice that helps them progress at their own pace. As kids complete activities, they can earn rewards and build their own virtual classroom, which adds a fun layer of motivation.The app is free to download, with some optional in-app purchases, making it easy for families to get started. It’s perfect for preschool and kindergarten kids (ages 3-6) and can be used on both iOS and Android devices. Again, Common Sense Education is a go-to site for teachers to gain insight into educational apps. 

Counting Caterpillar


Counting Caterpillar is a bright and colorful app that teaches kids how to count by helping them arrange segments of a caterpillar. It’s a fun way to build counting skills and develop fine motor skills at the same time. The app costs $1.99 to download and is aimed at preschool and kindergarten kids (ages 3-6), available on iOS devices. This review also came from Common Sense Education. 

After considering all three apps, I believe Moose Math is the best choice for teaching my selected standard. Its engaging gameplay and variety of math-related activities effectively capture the attention of young learners. By incorporating counting and foundational math skills in a fun way, Moose Math helps children build confidence and interest in mathematics. The app's accessibility across devices and its free download make it a practical option for both teachers and parents, ensuring that kids can practice counting anytime, anywhere.

Sunday, October 6, 2024

Whitney Hamm App Reviews

 Whitney Hamm

App Reviews


https://login.i-ready.com/

The first app that I will be discussing is iReady Math. iReady is used by my school for the math curriculum. We have used it for the past five years. This app is used primarily in our k-5 elementary school, but is also used in the middle school as well. iReady allows students to work at their learning path that is personalized after taking the initial iReady diagnostic test at the beginning of the year. The Diagnostic is taken three times throughout the year to allow their individual learning to be adjusted. Teachers can assign lessons that go along with current lessons. For example, this week my students are learning about 2D and 3D shapes. I am able to assign lessons that align with the geometry unit: MA19.K.20 Identify shapes as two-dimensional (lying in a plane, flat“) or three-dimensional (“solid”).“ https://alex.alsde.edu/cos-mth?f%5B0%5D=cos_grades_mth%3A0 

New features are being added to iReady such as Fluency Flight (2nd grade and up). Fluency Flight is an interactive way to help students learn their math facts. Facts begin with addition and subtraction and work all the way up to multiplication and division. With the new math literacy act being put into place, there are many schools who have begun piloting iReady math. This leaves me to believe this curriculum may be one that will have to be chosen just like how schools had to choose between the two reading curriculums given. I am not sure of the cost of this app because it is the chosen curriculum from my district. It is compatible with iPads and chromebooks.


https://home.xtramath.org/ 

https://xtramath.org/#/signin/teacher_other 

The next app that I have chosen is Xtramath. This app is designed for students to practice math facts. You can create an account for free and have the basic fluency practice. There are options that you can pay for that include teacher resources or assessments that can be used. My district purchases this for the county each year, but the free version is still amazing. This app can be used for all ages k-12. The first set of fluency practice is addition within ten, so this may be only for kindergarten students who are ready to be challenged since their standard is to be fluent within 5. 

MA19.1.6d Demonstrate fluency with addition and subtraction facts with sums or differences to 10 by using the relationship between addition and subtraction.  https://alex.alsde.edu/cos-mth?f%5B0%5D=cos_grades_mth%3A1 

This app could definitely be used starting in first grade. Xtramath is compatible with iPads and chromebooks. Xtramath allows teachers to keep up with which facts the students are struggling with such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division. 



https://accounts.mheducation.com/login?app=connect.mheducation.com&redirectUrl=https:%2F%2Fcaas.mheducation.com%2Fcaas%2Fheclr%2FlaunchConnect

The last app that I want to discuss is McGraw Hill Open Court. Most schools across Alabama have chosen this curriculum so this app has been purchased by their districts and should be readily available for use on devices such as iPads and chromebooks. McGraw Hill can be used for Pre-K through 12th grade, but is primarily used in the elementary level. This app has many features that help students with phonics, reading comprehension, and language arts. There are games that teachers can assign that allow students to practice phonics skills or grammar skills. 

ELA21.K.1c Use age-appropriate irregular plurals in conversation. 

https://alex.alsde.edu/cos-ela 

These can be used along with the units or assigned as review games. Teachers can also assign the story for the week so that students are able to listen to the story an additional time. This helps accommodate for struggling readers or beginning readers. 

Overall, I love all of the apps I have discussed above, but the best to me is iReady. I have used this app longer than the other two, but it has so many resources that teachers are able to use. The learning path for each student is meeting their needs, but teachers are able to adjust the paths if needed so students are not stuck completing tasks that are not right for them. Students can also access iReady online at home. During our few E-learning days throughout the year, we assign lessons that go along with the skill for the week to allow students extra practice. Teachers have a “toolbox” that holds powerpoint slides for each lesson, interactive tutorials, and games for each lesson. This app offers so much for students and teachers.


App Review

 EIM 505 App Review

iReady App (Math)

https://www.commonsense.org/education/reviews/i-ready 

ALEX 2nd Grade Standard: MA19.2.1 Use addition and subtraction within 100 to solve one- and two-step word problems by using drawings and equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem.

iReady is an app that can be used as a supplemental program or it can be used with the iReady program. The app requires students to take a diagnostic when they first log on. This diagnostic is used to assess strengths and weaknesses students may have in math and creates a learning math individualized for that student. The program cost approximately $13.00 per student. The full pricing and quotes can be found at; chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.curriculumassociates.com/-/media/mainsite/files/thinkup/qrf-texas.pdf. This program is intended for students in k-8th grade. This app is compatible with tablets/iPads as well as Chromebooks. The app is available in Clever as well to help students easily access the app. The review site I chose is commonsense.org. I chose this site because they are very reliable with educational reviews. There are a mix of positive and negative reviews but I feel this is an issue that every app has. 

Reflex App (Math)

https://www.commonsense.org/education/reviews/reflex 

ALEX 2nd Grade Standard: MA19.2.2 Fluently add and subtract within 20 using mental strategies such as counting on, making ten, decomposing a number leading to ten, using the relationship between addition and subtraction, and creating equivalent but easier or known sums AND MA19.2.2a State automatically all sums of two one-digit numbers.

Reflex is an app that I currently use in my classroom. The app is meant for students to practice their fact fluency. For my students (2nd grade) they are working on adding one digit numbers with sums within 20. The app assesses students ability and allows students to play games that work on their fluency. Students have to earn their ‘green light’ in order to go to the store. They achieve a green light by completing their facts. This feature helps teachers know that students are not spending their entire time in the store. The app also opens new games for students after 3 days of use. My students are highly motivated to use this app because of the additional games they get to access. Reflex offers educators a chance to apply for a grant to receive a year of Reflex subscriptions at https://web.explorelearning.com/math-grants/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=math_grants_2024&utm_term=reflex%20math&utm_content=search&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw6oi4BhD1ARIsAL6pox2hSIU8cSOth8bCA4pCM83RpfUgwFF1s6N0U-3-jFRPx4yEaROYGigaAvKfEALw_wcB. The price of the app varies depending on the use. If the entire school is accessing the app then the price is approximately $3,295, one teacher use is $35 for a one year subscription. Of course you can contact the company and ask for a more specific quote. This program is great for students grades 2nd to 6th grade. It is compatible with tablet/iPads and Chromebooks. The app can also be found on Clever. I chose commonsense.org because of their credibility. Also, most apps have pros and cons and this site seems to give different personal perspectives of the app. 

Happy Numbers

https://www.commonsense.org/education/reviews/happy-numbers

ALEX 2nd Grade Standard: MA19.2.1 Use addition and subtraction within 100 to solve one- and two-step word problems by using drawings and equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem AND MA19.2.12 Add and subtract within 1000 using concrete models or drawings and strategies based on place value, properties of operations, and/or the relationship between addition and subtraction; relate the strategy to a written method.

Happy Numbers is another app that I use very frequently in my classroom. This app creates lessons for students to work on based on their ability levels. As they complete lessons they are able to level up. I like this app in my classroom because students can manipulate tools such as rulers, base ten blocks, and numbers lines. I think this is very helpful because students have to use these same tools on ACAP (state testing). This app is focused on k-5th grade students and it is compatible with tablets/iPads, and Chromebooks. The cost of this app is a yearly subscription starting at $2,900 for a school wide purchase or classroom license that starts at $145 for ten students and $14.50 for each additional student within the class. There are options to get additional quotes as well as a custom district quote. Like I addressed with my other app reviews, I feel like commonsense.org is very reliable and gives different views of educators with each app. This app did receive four out of five stars.

I do use and really enjoy all of these apps but I really like iReady math the most. The app offers so much that educators can use for their students. The program is designed to adapt to the students needs and their growth as they complete lessons. There are also features that the teacher can access such as the teacher toolbox, lesson assignments, and data. The teacher can pull data from students' individual lessons as well as from the diagnostic test and create printable parent letters with the student’s data listed. Along with this the teacher can print support or enrichment lessons for students inside the teacher toolbox. All around this app provides a lot of information, instruction, and support for students’ math growth.


App Reviews - Fall 2024 - EIM 505

Selected Standard:

Alabama 2015 Anatomy and Physiology Standard 4:

Standard Name: SC15.ANAPH.4

Standard Number: SC15.ANAPH.4

Verbiage: Develop and use models to illustrate the location and function of the major organs of the respiratory, circulatory, digestive, integumentary, excretory, reproductive, and nervous systems.

1. Complete Anatomy

Review: 3D4Medical from Elsevier

What the App Does:
Complete Anatomy by 3D4Medical is an interactive 3D anatomy platform providing highly detailed human body systems models. It allows users to visualize and interact with organs and tissues in 3D, covering systems like the respiratory, circulatory, and nervous systems, aligning with SC15.ANAPH.4. The app includes videos, quizzes, and augmented reality tools for students to explore body structures in an immersive way.

Cost: Free version available; full access for $9.99/month or $49.99/year.

Intended Age Group: High school to college-level students (ages 15+).

Platform/Device Compatibility: Available on iOS, Mac, and Windows devices.

Credibility of Review Source: 3D4Medical from Elsevier is a well-known medical content provider, trusted for its expertise in medical sciences and interactive digital tools. Their reviews emphasize the educational value and innovative technology of Complete Anatomy, making them a credible source.

2. BioDigital Human

Review: Common Sense Education

What the App Does:
BioDigital Human is an interactive 3D anatomy platform that offers over 1,000 models of human body systems. The app allows students to view and manipulate these models to better understand organ placement and function, particularly in circulatory, respiratory, and digestive systems. This supports the SC15.ANAPH.4 standard by allowing students to develop and use detailed body models.

Cost: Free version with limited access; premium subscription for full access.

Intended Age Group: High school to college-level students (ages 15+).

Platform/Device Compatibility: Available on iOS, Android, and web browsers.

Credibility of Review Source: Common Sense Education is widely respected for its in-depth and unbiased reviews of educational tools. Their review focuses on the app's usability, educational value, and engagement, making them a trustworthy source for evaluating classroom apps.

3. Anatomy 4D

Review: Education World

What the App Does:
Anatomy 4D is an augmented reality app that allows students to explore 3D human anatomy models. Using the app, students can visualize and interact with models of major organs and systems, including the circulatory, respiratory, and nervous systems, aligning with SC15.ANAPH.4. The app’s AR features enable users to overlay the 3D models onto their surroundings, offering a more immersive experience of human anatomy.

Cost: Free.

Intended Age Group: High school to college-level students (ages 15+).

Platform/Device Compatibility: Available on iOS and Android devices.

Credibility of Review Source: Education World is a trusted platform for educational content, known for reviewing apps based on their classroom effectiveness and learning value. Their reviews are widely respected among educators.

Best Choice: Complete Anatomy

After reviewing all three apps, Complete Anatomy stands out as the best option for teaching SC15.ANAPH.4. It provides the most comprehensive and detailed 3D models of human anatomy, with features that allow students to dissect and explore body systems in a highly interactive way. The augmented reality and quiz features also enhance engagement, making it ideal for both visual and kinesthetic learners. While BioDigital Human and Anatomy 4D offer great interactive elements, Complete Anatomy’s depth of content and flexibility across platforms make it the best choice for teaching and reinforcing anatomy in the classroom.

App Review

 App Review 

ELA21.K.11 
Recognize and name all upper and lower case letters in non-sequential order with accuracy and automaticity.



The apps that I have chosen are:

SeeSaw 
https://www.commonsense.org/education/reviews/seesaw#:~:text=easy%20to%20use%20even%20by,for%20Schools%20include%20SEL%20content

Seesaw is an educational app designed to foster student engagement and simplify communication between teachers, students, and families. The platform is a digital portfolio where students can document their learning through photos, videos, drawings, and text. Teachers can assign activities, provide feedback, and track student progress. Families also stay connected by viewing their child's work and receiving updates.

Seesaw is widely used for its interactive features that allow students to demonstrate their understanding in a creative and personalized way. It's intuitive enough for younger students, making it popular in early education settings, but it can also be adapted for older students.

Key Features:

Student Portfolios: Students upload work in various formats (video, text, drawing, etc.)

Teacher Feedback: Teachers can review and comment on submissions.

Family Access: Parents can view their child's progress and get updates.

Pre-made Activities: Offers a library of pre-made tasks and activities aligned with educational goals.

Costs:

Seesaw offers a free version for individual teachers and classrooms, with limited features. Schools can upgrade to Seesaw for Schools, which is a paid subscription model with additional features such as deeper integration with learning management systems (LMS) and advanced student progress tracking tools. Pricing varies by school size and needs.

Intended Age Group:

Seesaw is particularly effective for younger students in the K-5 range, but its flexibility allows for use in higher grade levels as well.

Platform Compatibility:

Seesaw is available across multiple platforms, including iOS, Android, and web browsers, making it accessible on smartphones, tablets, laptops, and desktop computers.

Credibility of Review Site:

Common Sense Education is a highly credible source for educational app reviews. The organization is known for its thorough evaluations of digital tools used in classrooms, offering balanced reviews that highlight both strengths and weaknesses. They also include insights from educators and parents, which provide practical perspectives on how these apps perform in real-world settings. Common Sense is respected for its advocacy of safe and effective technology use in schools, and its reviews are grounded in years of experience in the education field.

I use this to assign various letter naming, letter finding, sorting, and other activities to follow the Kindergarten standard of recognizing letters randomly with automaticity and accuracy. 

StarFall:

https://www.commonsense.org/education/reviews/starfall#:~:text=Useful%20tool%20for%20young%20learners,the%20use%20of%20colorfull%20graphics.

Starfall is an educational app primarily designed for young children, particularly in early childhood education, to help them develop foundational skills in reading, phonics, and math. The app uses engaging, interactive games and activities that are colorful and easy to navigate, making it accessible for children as young as preschool age. Starfall is particularly known for its structured, step-by-step learning approach, which builds literacy and numeracy skills through a combination of songs, animations, stories, and interactive lessons.

Key Features:

Reading and Phonics: Focuses heavily on early literacy, including letter sounds, phonics, and basic reading skills.
Math Skills: Offers math activities that introduce counting, addition, subtraction, and geometry concepts.
Interactive Content: Uses games, songs, and animations to make learning fun and engaging.
Safe Environment: No third-party ads, which makes it a safe space for young children to learn without distractions.

Costs:

Starfall has a free version that includes basic reading and phonics activities. For access to a broader range of content, including advanced literacy and math lessons, parents or schools can subscribe to Starfall’s premium service, which costs around $35 per year for a home membership. Schools and classrooms can also subscribe to an expanded version tailored for educational institutions, with different pricing tiers based on the number of users.

Intended Age Group:

The app is intended for young children, particularly those in pre-K to grade 3. It is highly effective for children who are just beginning to learn how to read and count, making it ideal for early learners.

Platform Compatibility:

Starfall is compatible with various platforms, including iOS, Android, and web browsers, making it accessible on devices such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, and desktop computers. This flexibility ensures that young learners can engage with the app at home or in the classroom on any device.

Credibility of Review Site:

Common Sense Education is a well-established and trusted source when it comes to reviewing educational tools and apps. Common Sense Education is respected for offering practical insights into how technology can be effectively integrated into teaching and learning. Their reviews include feedback from educators, which makes them especially valuable for assessing how well an app works in classroom settings.  

I use this in my classroom as my Kindergarten students work on mastering the standard of recognizing upper and lower case letters.

SplashLearn
https://www.commonsense.org/education/reviews/splashlearn

SplashLearn is an educational app designed to help children develop math and reading skills through engaging, game-like activities. It uses a fun, interactive approach to reinforce concepts in math and literacy, offering personalized learning experiences that adapt to a child's progress. The app covers a wide range of topics, such as arithmetic, geometry, and reading comprehension, using animations, rewards, and challenges to keep children motivated.

Key Features

Math and Reading Practice: SplashLearn offers a structured curriculum for both subjects, helping students strengthen core skills in areas like counting, multiplication, fractions, and grammar
Personalized Learning: The app adapts to each child's skill level and learning pace, providing practice activities that target their specific needs.
Interactive Games: Children learn through games and challenges, which makes learning enjoyable and fosters engagement.
Progress Tracking: Teachers and parents can monitor a child's progress, identify areas for improvement, and provide additional support when needed.

Costs:

SplashLearn offers a free version that includes basic access to certain activities and lessons. However, for more comprehensive content and features, a premium subscription is available. The subscription typically costs around $12 per month or $60 per year for unlimited access to all subjects and grade levels. Schools can also opt for customized pricing plans to integrate SplashLearn into their classrooms.

Intended Age Group:

SplashLearn is designed for children in pre-K to grade 5, focusing on foundational math and reading skills that are critical in early education. The app’s gamified learning approach makes it particularly appealing to younger children who benefit from visual and interactive content.

Platform Compatibility:

SplashLearn is compatible with various platforms, including iOS, Android, and web browsers. This flexibility allows children to use the app on smartphones, tablets, or computers, making it accessible at home, in school, or on the go.

Credibility of Review Site:

Common Sense Education is a well-respected platform for reviewing educational apps and tools, known for its objective and thorough evaluations. Their reviews offer a balanced perspective by focusing on educational value, ease of use, and child-friendliness, while also including feedback from educators and parents.

This app is perfect for assigning lessons and activities to reinforce letter naming and recognition practice. Kindergarten students are slow to pick up on recognizing the letters so the more exposure they can get in different formats allows students to pick up on the standard quicker. 


Of the three apps I chose, I feel Seesaw is the most appropriate. I use Seesaw the most. I love that lessons can be integrated into the app through various web resources as well as creating your own. This app also has the option to place lessons or activities completed in each student's journal. Once parents log onto the app they are able to view their child's work and listen if they record audio. My students use this app daily to practice various activities in Seesaw that are geared around letter recognition, naming, matching, sorting etc. As an educator, I am able to view each student's response before it is posted to their journal. This allows me to view what the students know and don't know and can plan accordingly. This app allows educators to assign lessons not only for this standard but any standard they need. 

App Review- Lauren Brisendine

The standard I chose was part of the Digital Literacy and Computer Science Standards for 7th grade: DLCS18.7.R6 Produce, review, and revise authentic artifacts that include multimedia using appropriate digital tools.

WeVideo is a desktop or mobile device application that can be used for multimedia presentations, videos, podcasts, or audio/visual presentations. The app lets you search built in video/audio content, or upload your own material to publish video creations. Students can work collaboratively on the same project through class mode, and teachers have the ability to add students to a class to monitor progress on assignments, provide feedback, and review/grade projects. The app is free to download, with access to thousands of royalty free media. There are subscription options that allow for more options that range in price from $5.99 a month to $59.99 per month. However, the free option has the capability to do so much.  The application is recommended for students in grades 3-12, but could be used in lower grades with assistance. This application is compatible with apple products including iPhone, iPad, and Andriod devices. It also has a desktop version as well. I feel like the commonsense.org review is credible considering so much of the content and standards covered in the Digital Literacy and Computer Science Standards are covered through common sense media, and their evaluation of the pros and cons, their “Learning Rating” and the fact that they give it their “Common Sense for Learning” seal is something that many teachers should look for when using technology effectively in the classroom. 

iMovie is an application that comes automatically loaded on Apple products and runs on iOS 17 or later. This is a video creation and editing application that can be used in the classroom, at a place of business, or for home video editors/content creators. Users can turn pictures or videos into “storytelling” movies. This is a free application that is recommended for users ages 4 and up, according to the Apple App Store. It comes preloaded with 20 versions of storyboards that can help you get started, or gives you the ability to start from scratch and be completely creative. This site review provides unbiased feedback of the app, including pros and cons, verified reviews from a wide range of users, and also provides alternatives to this application in case this is not something you have access to. 

The app allows users to create stop motion videos with ease, using built in features, filters, content, and sound effects. This is a great resource that can be used in really any classroom. Students can work through tutorials, adjust frames per second speed, and download or publish their creations to YouTube, Facebook, Dropbox, and more. There is no cost to download and use this app, however they have released a pro version for a one time purchase of $5.99 that allows users to have more capabilities. The app is intended for users in grades 3-12, and is compatible with iPhone, iPad, macOS, Android, Windows, Chromebook, and Amazon Fire devices. This review site provided insight into the bug fixes, updates to features on the app, and review from over 2,000 users. 


Out of the three, I think that WeVideo is the best option just due to the wide range of projects that students have the ability to create. Whether you want to create a podcast, a slideshow, collaborative projects, or an animated video, the possibilities are endless. That, paired with the fact that teachers can group students and watch progress through the classroom function, makes this app a valuable tool in the classroom.


Thursday, October 3, 2024

App Review Jessica Medley

 Educational Apps 

Jessica Medley


The standard I choose is ELA21.4.R4 Utilize a writing process to plan, draft, revise, edit, and publish writings in various genres. This standard can be broken down into so many different lessons. Each of the apps I selected would be beneficial for this standard. 



  1. Scootpad - Students complete a diagnostic. The app will then give targeted lessons. The next step is they will receive adaptive practice and timed lessons. The app will assess learning and assign more targeted practice with real time scaffolding. This app was developed with a tier 3 intervention monitor. This app is equipped with formative and summative assessments. The concepts mastered are monitored by several options: not attempted, practice, scaffold, intervention needed, mastery check ready, and mastered. This app is $149.00 for the year per teacher and can accommodate 35 students. This is for the k-8 age group. Their information page claims that there are over 2+ million users globally. 

https://www.scootpad.com/platform/how-it-works



  1. IXL- Students ages k-12  can complete a diagnostic and receive an action plan with specific skills that need improvement. If a student gives an incorrect answer the app has built in explanations. The teacher can also assign individual skills that are being taught in the classroom. Another option is to do a group jam. This can be done as a small group or whole group. This can be used for reading, math, science or social studies skills. IXL has been awarded several awards including, teach awards of excellence and smart media. This app is compatible on all devices. A one year license for math and language arts for 30 students is $599.00. This would be renewed each year.


https://www.ixl.com/



  1. Nearpod- Nearpod is an app that is used to teach lessons with slides. It also has questions where the students will respond individually to the whole class or small group. This can be used to teach a whole group lesson or to teach a small group a remedial lesson. Nearpod has been awarded several awards such as, Common Sense Selection, ISTE Seal, and IEDTEACH. The cost per teacher or for up to 75 students is $159.00 per year. This includes 1GB storage, google slide addons, and drag and drop. This is compatible with all devices. Nearpod can teach k-12 students. 



https://nearpod.com/




All three of the apps I have chosen are creditable and educational. I have used both the nearpod and IXL, however the scootpad is not one I have used. From the three I would use IXL in my classroom. This is one that our district buys for our school and we use it almost every day. I teach science and social studies now, but when I taught reading I used IXL mostly for remediation of skills to help close the learning gap. I like that IXL breaks down each subject by the skill name. It is easy to find the skill and easy for the teacher to assign a certain skill. 


Wednesday, October 2, 2024

App Review

 ELA21.K.11 Recognize and name all upper and lower case letters in non-sequential order with accuracy and automaticity.

 

https://www.phonics.org/splashlearn-app-review-for-reading-education/

Splash Learn is a free resource for teachers that offers reading and math support for grades Pre-K through fifth. Students can log in using their iPads or tablets and work on skills assigned by their teacher, play educational games, or practice reading and math skills. Kindergarten students can work on mastering the standard of recognizing and naming upper- and lower-case letters by practicing letter formation, letter songs, and matching upper and lowercase letter games using Splash Learn. Phonics.org is a credible source that informs teachers and educators about Splash Learn and what it has to offer.

 

https://smartparentadvice.com/abc-mouse-review/

ABC Mouse is an educational app for students ages two to eight. This is a paid app with a monthly payment of fourteen ninety nine a month, or fifty-nine ninety nine a year. Students can access ABC Mouse using their iPads or tablets and work on math, reading, or social studies skills. Kindergarten students can work on mastering the standard of recognizing and naming upper- and lower-case letters by tracing letters, watching ABC videos, and playing letter games. Smart Parent Advice.org is a credible source that explains to educators how to implement ABC Mouse in their classrooms.

 

https://www.commonsense.org/education/reviews/starfall

Starfall is a free educational resource for students in grades kindergarten through fifth. Students can use Starfall on their iPads or tablets and work on reading, math, science, and social studies skills. Kindergarten students can work on mastering the standard of recognizing and naming upper- and lower-case letters by practicing letter formation, letter videos, and naming upper- and lower-case letters. Commonsense.org is a credible site that informs educators about Starfall and how it can be used in the classroom.

 

 

As an educator, I feel that Splash Learn is the best app to use in the classroom. It can be used to cover many standards and content areas; plus it is free for teachers to use in their classrooms. Teachers can import educational tasks for students to complete based on what they are teaching in their classrooms. Students then have to complete these tasks first before being able to play educational games. This allows teachers to know that students are getting extra practice in the content in which they are teaching. I feel that this is a key component in Splash Learn.


Monday, September 30, 2024

App Review- Heather Lynn

 App Review

Heather Lynn


Alabama Course of Study Grade 4 ELA

Comprehension 15. Analyze in depth a character, setting, or event in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text.

a. Identify and explain attitudes and influences of multiple characters within a text.

B. Explain how the main character changes throughout the story, using explicit evidence from the text.

C. Make an inference about a character’s behavior, the setting, and/or specific events, using explicit details from the story.


Story Analyzer: https://prowritingaid.com/story-analyzer

This app allows users to upload a text or audio file of a story or drama. It visually represents the plot, highlighting key events, rising action, climax, and falling action. Users can also explore character arcs and analyze relationships between characters.

Pricing: Free for basic writing suggestions, Premium price of $10.00 per month for writing and editing like an expert, and Premium Pro price of $12.00 per month for extended features to spark ideas while writing.

Intended Age Group: All Ages

Compatibility: DesktopEverywhere for Windows, Desktop Everywhere for Mac, Chrome Extention (Firefox, Edge), Google Docs, Microsoft Office, Desktop Editor

Creditability: ProWriting Aide has been around for years and has a strong reputation among writers and educators. It offers many features, including grammar and spelling checks, style analysis, plagiarism detection, and writing style suggestions.


Story Board That: https://www.storyboardthat.com/

This app helps kids visualize their stories by creating storyboards with various scenes and characters. It can help kids bring their stories to life by focusing on characters, settings, or events, especially when writing a paper.

Pricing: Free for limited features, $9.99 monthly for individual unlimited feature access for single users, $24.99 monthly for team users, and unlimited feature access for multiple linked users.

Compatibility: Storyboard That makes UserWay's Web Accessibility Widget available, powered by a dedicated accessibility server. The software allows Storyboard That to improve its compliance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1).

Creditability: Storyboard That received the 2015 Best Website for Teaching & Learning by the American Association of School Librarians.



Story Builder: https://learningworksforkids.com/apps/story-builder/

This app is a versatile tool designed to help kids develop their storytelling skills and write engaging papers. It offers a variety of features that guide students through the writing process, from brainstorming ideas to finalizing their drafts. 

Pricing: $19.00 monthly membership fee

Compatibility: Compatible with various devices and operating systems, such as Desktop computers: Windows, macOS, and Linux

Mobile devices: iOS (iPhone, iPad) and Android

Web browsers: Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge

Creditability: Learning Works for Kids is a company that specializes in creating educational apps and games for children. Their focus on educational content suggests a commitment to quality and accuracy. Dr. Kulman is the founder and president of LearningWorks for Kids and is a licensed clinical child psychologist. Dr. Kulman has been working directly with kids and families for the past 30 years, and has become a leading expert on the use of digital technologies for improving thinking skills in children.



The app that I believe would be the most valuable to use with my fourth-grade students for analyzing in depth a character, setting, or event in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text would be Story Analyzer.  It provides them with immediate feedback and guidance on their writing. The app can help students think about their characters' motivations, goals, and conflicts. It can guide students in creating a strong beginning, middle, and end for their story. The app can assist students in building a vivid and believable setting. It is a positive and supportive tool, offering suggestions f