APP REVIEWS AS

THEY RELATE TO
K-12BYSTANDARDS
CLINT METCALF

K-12 STANDARDS
#1 English Language Arts
#2 Mathematics
#3 Science
#4 Social Studies
#5 Information and Technology Skills
With the above standard areas in mind the
following pages will provide
a brief overview of two apps per standard area that
help teach each standard.

Sayhellotoa
newwayoflearning.

#1 English Language Arts

RUNNING RECORD CALCULATOR FREE
BY VON BRUNO
This app will help students kindergarten through fifth grade in the
speaking and listening standard found associated with K-12 standards
under English Language Arts.

Pros This app allo

y w

for clarit

of

s a recording to take place so

, yw

ords

an

hile the teacher is listening to the student

ord that is flagged for questioning can later be listened to and

practiced

Cons Since there is not a lot of one on one time in the classroom environment this app

better fit for personal use or

ith a speech therapist

ould be

#1 English Language Arts

HOMOPHONES FREE-ENGLISH
LANGUAGE ART GRAMMAR APP
BY ABITALK INCORPORATED
An issue that is bigger today than in the past are words that sound
alike, but have different meanings and spellings which are referred to
as homophones. This app will help teachers present or follow up a
fourth grade English Language Arts lesson on homophones with a fun
interactive way.

Which of the
homophones is correct?
There, Their, They're

Pros in level one of this app there are pictures and even pronunciation of

students gain the full understanding for

Ho

ever

hich

ords to make sure

ord to choose for the appropriate sentence

the second level becomes a little more challenging for the student because it does

not have pictures nor pronunciation of

ords and reall

engages the understanding of each

student

y 15

Cons There are onl

student

homophones that are associated

but the students

ill need more practice than

ith this app is a good base for a

hat he

she can gain from this app

#2 Mathematics
MOTION MATH EDUCATOR SUITE
BY MOTION MATH
An app that is geared towards elementary students grades first
through fifth to strengthen simple to advance mathematic
skills.
Students that have the chance to use Motion Math will
sharpen their skills of addition and subtraction, multiplication
and division, to fractions and decimals in a challenging, but fun
environment.

PROS: The app can be paused and the level can be adjusted from beginner to expert depending on the
comfort zone of the user.
CONS: Since the level of the app can be adjusted a student may start in a level that is to easy and loose
interest early on or a student may start out on a to advanced level and become frustrated because they
can not figure out how to adjust the level settings and loose interest.

#2 Mathematics
4TH GRADE MATH: SPLASH
MATH WORKSHEETS
This app is particularly only for the use of fourth graders. With
plenty of problems to practice to meet all of the fourth grade
standards.
The app features addition, subtraction, multiplication, division,
algebra, and geometry. It also has interactive content to make
problem solving more fun and interesting for students.

PROS: The app starts off with easier questions and become harder as the user gets questions correct
(Personalized Learning). Teachers can assign homework within the app for students to complete and
there are weekly e-mail reports sent out to show students progress.
CONS: The app is not free and therefore funding for this particular app may not be there for students to
use.

#3 SCIENCE
HAPPY LITTLE FARMER
BY GIGGLE UP KIDS AND
EDUCATIONAL GAMES PTY LTD

While teaching the essential standard of

molecular biology in regards to fourth
grade this app would be a fun way to
introduce some of the foods talked about
in which humans need for energy and
survival.

Pros: This app allows the user to

choose from twelve different fruits and
vegetables to grow. It teaches all of
the important essentials in growing
food in which we as humans need to
grow.

Cons: As many apps have a cost this app also has a cost of $2.99
associated with it which could become costly adding it to multiple
devices. Also, even though there is great satisfaction watching
something grow from a see to an actual product not being able to
enjoy this product by eating it will be a disappointment.

#3 SCIENCE
SOLAR WALK - SOLAR SYSTEM
PLANETS, ORBITS, AND MOONS
WITH PICTURES, SOUNDS, AND
LESSONS
BY VITO TECHNOLOGY INC.
Want to step away from the original 3D
Styrofoam Solar system example when
explaining the essential standard for third
grade Earth in the Universe. Prepare to
be blown away with Solar Walk.

Pros: Ever wondered what it would be

like to observe the solar systems in
real time and throw all of those make
shift projects away that were
supposed to represent the solar
system? Solar Walk makes this
possible because the app provides all
planets and satellites in their correct
position and in real-time.
Cons: As many apps have a cost this app also has a cost of $2.99
associated with it which could become costly adding it to multiple
devices. Also, with all of the advancements that this app provides
within the solar system getting sidetracked could happen multiple
times while inside the app.

#4 SOCIAL STUDIES
STACK THE STATES
BY FREECLOUD
DESIGN, INC.
Thisappmeetsthegeographystandardassociatedwiththird
gradesocialstudies.Itallowsamorebroadlessonon
studentslearningaboutdifferentstatesthatarelocatedin
theUnitedStatesofAmerica.

Pros:Thisapphasfivegamesinone.Stackthestates,mapit,pileup,puzzler,andcapitaldrop.
Eachgamestrengthensthelearnersabilitytolearnwhereastateislocated,statesthatboardera
state,abbreviationforastate,andastatescapital.
Cons:Thisappisnotfreeandhasacostof$1.99perinstallationwhichcouldbecomecostlyadding
ittomultipledevices.

#4 SOCIAL STUDIES
TODAY IN HISTORY
BY DOWNSHIFT LLC

Thisappcanbeusedtomeetessentialstandardsofsixth
gradesocialstudiesthatareprovidedwithinthecommon
core.

Pros:Thisappprovidestheviewerwithmultiplehistoricalfactsinregardsofevents,births/deaths,
holidays,andmanymore.Alsothisisafunapptogetthebloodpumpingthroughthebraininthat
peoplecanchallengetheirknowledgeofhistoricaleventsthathavehappened.
Cons:ThisapphasseveralWikipedialinksperentrywhichisnotareliablesourceforgaining
knowledge.Otherconcernsmightbethecostofthisappanditgoesuptoknowledgeandcontent
ofeighthgrade.

#5 INFORMATION AND
TECHNOLOGY SKILLS
BLIO
PROS
- Eye-catching design
- Hundred of free e-books available for
download
- Supports notes, text, highlighting, and
look-up
- Buy new books directly from the
program

CONS
- Heavy on system resources
- Purchases only available in the US,
Canada, and Mexico
- Only currently available for windows

Having difficulties to find a reliable e-book app that can be

used while trying to meet the essential standard of
kindergarten through fifth grade in regards to Technology as a
Tool, well look no further because Blio will provide a more than
reliable source for this requirement.

#5 INFORMATION AND
TECHNOLOGY SKILLS
DIGITAL PASSPORT
FROM COMMON SENSE MEDIA
Pros
- Engage 3rd-5th graders in
independent learning
- Modules zero in on critical skills
related to digital safety, respect,
and community
- FREE to your school thanks to
generous support from our
sponsors
Cons
- I could not find anything against
this app

Has it been rather difficult to find

an app that helps cover the
essential standard of Safety and
Ethical Issues as it relates to third
through fifth grade? Digital
Passport is the app to make this
seem like a breeze. Its engaging
game like atmosphere allows
children to experience different
aspects as they relate to the use
of technology. As levels are
completed an award of a
passport is granted to show the
progression of each individual
user.

STANDARDS
NETS-T:
2. Design and develop digital age learning experiences and
assessments
This standard was met with providing different apps that will help
teach certain material within a lesson plan that meets the K-12
standards curriculum.
NETS-S
1. Creativity and innovation
This standard was met by the use of technology that is used within
different apps to help students gain and practice material within a
particular lesson plan.
NC Professional Teaching Standards
Standard 4 Teachers facilitate learning for their students
This standard was met with the use of technology for students to
learn material.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
4th Grade Math: Splash Math Worksheets Reviews | edshelf. Retrieved October 15, 2015, from
https://edshelf.com/tool/4th-grade-math-splash-math-worksheets/
Amazingly simple graphic design. Retrieved October 16, 2015, from https://www.canva.com/
Best Apps for Teaching & Learning 2015. Retrieved October 15, 2015, from
http://www.ala.org/aasl/standards-guidelines/best-apps/2015
Blio. Retrieved October 16, 2015, from http://blio.en.softonic.com/
Digital Passport by Common Sense Media | Digital Passport. Retrieved October 16, 2015, from
https://www.digitalpassport.org/educator-registration
EDUCATOR EFFECTIVENESS. Retrieved October 16, 2015, from
http://www.ncpublicschools.org/educatoreffectiveness/
Happy Little Farmer on the App Store. Retrieved October 16, 2015, from
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/happy-little-farmer/id564100079?mt=8
Homophones Free - English Language Art Grammar App on the App Store. Retrieved October 15,
2015, from https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/homophones-free-english-language/id519850392?mt=8
ISTE Standards for Students. Retrieved October 16, 2015, from
http://www.iste.org/standards/iste-standards/standards-for-students
K-12 STANDARDS, CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION. Retrieved October 16, 2015, from
http://www.ncpublicschools.org/curriculum/
Running Record Calculator Free on the App Store. Retrieved October 15, 2015, from
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/running-record-calculator/id528814882?mt=8

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Solar Walk - Solar System Planets, Orbits, and Moons with Pictures, Sounds and Lessons on the
App Store. Retrieved October 16, 2015, from
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/solar-walk-solar-system-planets/id347546771?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo=4
Stack the States on the App Store. Retrieved October 15, 2015, from
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/stack-the-states/id381342267?mt=8
Standards for Teachers. Retrieved October 16, 2015, from
http://www.iste.org/standards/iste-standards/standards-for-teachers
Today In History - free world events, births, quotes, and more on the App Store. Retrieved October 16,
2015, from https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/today-in-history-lite/id312028719?mt=8