Allison Williams-Apps Review

 https://www.commonsense.org/education/app/scratchjr#:~:text=Pros%3A%20Well%2Ddesigned%20professional%20interface,into%20programming%20and%20digital%20creation.

16.) A.B1.2-learn and apply critical thinking skills.

ScratchJr

This app was made for children ages 5-7.  It allows kids to create their very own interactive stories and games.  They are able to put together graphical programming blocks to make characters perform many tasks such as moving, jumping, dancing, and singing.  The characters in the story can be modified by chnging the characters in the paint editro.  They can also add their own voices and sounds.  Pictures of themselves can be inserted into the character.

ScratchJr was developed to match cognitive, personal, social and emotional develpment in young children.  It is a free app for IPads, Android tablets, and Chromebooks.  More information can be accessed at scratchjr.org.

https://www.sitejabber.com/reviews/poptropica.com

[DLIT] (2) 9 :3) Construct elements of a simple computer program using basic commands.

Poptropica

Poptropica is an app made for children ages 6-12.  While playing this game, kids can is based on immersive and interactive storytelling.  Poptropica Worlds can be created in which each kid gets to be the hero of their own story.  This app sparks childrens' natural curiosity while cultivating  a child's knowledge and skills.  Learning is fun with Poptropica.  It also allows children to learn literacy and problem solving, along with many other skills catered to their interests.  

Poptropica is free, however a monthly paid membership offers many extra features.  It can be downloaded through the Apple Store or the Google Play Store.  It can be downloaded on iPads, Android tablets, and chromebooks.

https://bestcaseparenting.com/teach-your-monster-to-read-review/

22 ) Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words. [RF.1.3]

Teach Your Monster

Teach Your Monster is an app develped for ages 3-8.  This app improves students phonics and reading skills.  It builds these skills without children even knowing that they are learning.  Teach Your Monster includes sight words and phonics skills that teach children to read using games and activities.  Individual progress is monitored so that each child can keep up with their own progress.  

Teach Your Monster is a free app on your computer, but has a low cost on the iPad.

Favorite App:

My favorite app that I reviewed was Teach Your Monster.  This app was very impressive because it is free to all ages.  It provides children with a way to learn how to read using interactive games and activities.  When children are able to play and have fun, they learn without even realizing it.  I also love that not only does this app teach reading, it also teaches about numbers and mathematics.  The graphics on this game are kid-friendly and engaging.  

Teach Your Monster is research based.  It uses a synthetic phonics approach.  Not only is this program great for students, it is also helpful for teachers.  It provides teachers with lesson plans, worksheets, and assessments.  Teach Your Monster is an app I definitely plan to use in my classroom in the future.