Mallorie Belyeu App Reviews

R.I. 6.10
By the end of the year, read and comprehend literary nonfiction in the grades 6-8 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range.


Readworks
https://www.commonsense.org

• The Readworks App is a phenomenal app for teachers and students. Teachers can use the app to find reading passages that meet the needs of the student. Teachers are able to search for passages by grade level, skill, or by key words. Passages can be assigned to an entire class or specific students in a class. From the teacher side, you are able to select for passages to be read out loud to students. You are able to link your Google Classroom classes to your Readworks classes. Students can log in using their Google Accounts. They can read the assigned passages and answer comprehension questions or questions based on a reading skill. 
• Readworks is free.
• The app is for grades k -12.
• The app is compatible for most tablets.
• Common Sense is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to providing information parents, teachers, and students need to succeed in a 21st Century classroom.

Newsela 

https://www.edsurge.com/

• Newsela is an app that allows teachers to access news articles to assign to their students. Newsela is the best for differentiating content. Teachers do not have to find a totally new article to assign to lower level students, but they are able to select different lexile levels for the same passage to assign. Teachers can create classes and students can log in to access their assignments. Teachers can select which multiple choice questions and writing questions to assign. Teachers are able to create their own written response questions in place of the ones provided. Different leveled texts have different questions which help with differentiating the text.
• Newsela is free.
• The app is for grades 2-12.
• The app is compatible for most tablets.
• Edsurge is a company that provides information on technological tools and how they can help all learners. 

Smithsonian: Tween Tribune

https://www.commonsense.org

• The Smithsonian: Tween Tribune is another great app that allows teachers and students access to different news articles. Teachers can assign students articles to read and questions to answer. Students have the freedom to browse articles to read by themselves. Teachers have to create classes and set up student accounts by creating usernames and passwords for each student. 
• Smithsonian: Tween Tribune is free.
• This app is for ages 10 - 14. 
• The app is compatiable for most tablets.
• Common Sense is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to providing information parents, teachers, and students need to succeed in a 21st Century classroom.

   I feel like Newsela is the best app out of the three. All three apps are very similar, but Newsela gives the best options for differentiating content. Instead of assigning totally different passages to students, I can assign the students the same passages with different lexile levels. I can select which questions I want to assign or create my own written response question. The other apps make me use their questions, so I like the idea of selecting and creating my own to meet the needs of my students.

Lakessiah Mosley-Franklin App Review

The standard that I chose is a 6th Grade ELA Standard.
Determine the meaning of words and phrases used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of a specific word choice on meaning and tone. RL.6.4

Readworks.org
http://www.edupad.com/reviews/blogs/
Readworks helps with reading comprehension and vocabulary along with discussion questions.
This is a free app.
Its for students in grades 3-12.
You can download the app on most tablets.
The review site that I chose is a credible source because it comes from educational pad and most of the reviews come from teachers.
Readworks would be hands down the best for me because you can modify it based on lexile levels and it pretty much works on any standard because it comes with tons of articles based on the grade level.

Adventure Academy
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/app
Adventure Academy helps students work on main ideas, key details, comprehension, writing, and spelling.
The app is only free for thirty days.
It caters to all age groups in Reading and Math.
It's available on any android or iphone, or ipad.
The website is a credible source for judging once again the reviews come from educators and parents.

iTooch
www.edupad.com/reviews/blogs/
This app teaches content in animation reinforces topics and strategies.
It caters to middle school students.
Its free for thirty days.
It's a Reading App.
Its available on most tablets and phones.
The website is a credible source do to the publications once again comes from educators and parents.

App Reviews- Merrill Dotson

I have chosen an 8th grade math standard that carries over to all math courses beyond middle school. If students can master this standard they are set up for success!

8-EE7 (Mathematics)  Solve linear equations in one variable.

a. Give examples of linear equations in one variable with one solution, infinitely many solutions, or no solutions. Show which of these possibilities is the case by successively transforming the given equation into simpler forms until an equivalent equation of the form x = a, a = a, or a = b results (where a and b are different numbers). [8-EE7a]

b. Solve linear equations with rational number coefficients, including equations whose solutions require expanding expressions, using the distributive property and collecting like terms. [8-EE7b]

Khan Academy

http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/edtechresearcher/2012/06/dont_use_khan_academy_without_watching_mmt2k_first.html

I realize this app/website is referenced all the time, but there is a reason!  Students will often leave the classroom and still need assistance with math work, and many times parents are unable to assist. Khan Academy is easily accessible and simple to understand. The article above does mention the one dimensional aspect of the site, but the benefits far outweigh the downfalls. Students are guided through videos, practice questions, and quizzes that direct students through a standard. Other subjects are included in the program, but math is its core. The app is free and available on IOS/Android devices. Education Weekly is a well establish resource in the education world. “EPE's mission is to raise awareness and understanding of critical issues facing American schools.” (Reich, 2012)

IXL

https://www.commonsense.org/education/app/ixl-math-and-english

This app provides students with extra practice problems and real time adaptive assessments in Math and Language Arts. As students give incorrect answers, explanations are given in great detail.   The downfall to this app would be the the limitation in the free version. Students can only complete a limited number of questions per day without paying the $19/99/month charge, which includes 2 students. It offers assistance with Math and Language Arts from Pre-K to Calculus and is available in for the IOS and Android platform. I have used Common Sense reviews for many years when researching new tools for my classroom. They have been consistent and reliable. 

The Fun Way to Learn Algebra

https://www.teacherswithapps.com/hands-on-equations-1-the-fun-way-to-learn-algebra/

This app is every hands on learner's dream for Algebra! Students are able to manipulate virtual tools to balance and equation. The lite version is free while the more advanced levels will cost $2.99. This app is directly aimed at students learning to solve equations and is available in the IOS/Android platform. Teachers with Apps works with teachers to find the best apps to guide our students. They are testing and well reviewed!

For my recommendation, I had to think about my intentions. The most well rounded app is not the one I would choose to teach this standard, and cost wasn't a consideration in my decision. (Isn't that the dream?) I would choose The Fun Way to Learn Algebra if my sole intention was to teach students how to solve equations. The visual and manipulative aspect is unbeatable for students.