Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Teach Your Monster to Read is a game for children learning to read, or for those that
need extra practice in foundational skills. It is intended for students in grades K-1. It offers
three levels including letter and sound recognition, word patterns, to complete sentences. There
are many CCSS addressed within this game which include RF.K.1d, RF.K.3c, RF.1.3, and
RF.1.2. The game is intended to compliment existing learning. It can be played on the
computer, iPad, android, kindle, or iPhone. The cost of the app is $4.99, however it is free on the
computer.
Book Creator is an app for the iPad that is appropriate for grade K-12, that allows users to
create text with their choice of images, annotations, or audio. Users may also publish their work
to the iBook Store or share through many other methods (online, google drive, drop box, PDF,
etc.). This app meets CCSS W.K.1, W.K.2, W.K.3, W.K.5, and W.K.6. The app costs $4.99.
Educreations Interactive Whiteboard is a tool that allows educators to create lessons that
students can access and participate in. The app allows teachers to share lessons directly with
students so they can access lessons anytime from an iPad or computer through the website.
Students can control the learning pace and even create a presentation showing what they have
learned during a unit of study. The app allows teachers to provide differentiated instruction or
tutoring opportunities, as well as monitor student work. This app is intended for grades K-12,
and meets CCSS RI.K.7, RI.K.8, RI.K.9, SL.K.2, and SL.K.3. This app is free, unless you want
to upgrade to add more features.
This app helps to give students daily writing opportunities. Students are given ideas to
begin writing. They can be given a writing prompt, voice prompt, or create text using their own
photos. There are 175 photos and over 300 prompts included in the app. The writing prompts
vary in difficulty for each image, so students can choose the prompt that meets their writing
ability. This app is intended for grades K-5, and meets CCSS W.K.1, W.K.2, W.K.3, W.K.5,
and W.K.6. The cost of Write About This app is $3.99.
The Spelling City app allows students to practice simple to complex spelling, and also
explore vocabulary. You can use the words that come with the app, or create customized lists to
fit the needs of your students. It is an engaging way to practice skills and vocabulary being
taught in the classroom. Activities students can choose from include spelling test, hang mouse,
missing letter, alphabetizing, learning to spell, sentence unscramble, word unscramble, and so
on. It can be used in grades K-5 and supports CCSS RF.K.1.C, RF.K.2.A, RF.K.2.B, RF.K.2.C,
RF.K.2.D, RF.K.2.E, RF.K.2.A, RF.K.3.B, RF.K.3.C, and RF.K.3.D. The Spelling City app is
free.
TPACK
educators are expected to enhance learning through the use of technology, and help students
develop the necessary skills in todays society (Davies, 2011, p. 46). Educators who truly
encompass the TPACK mind frame choose specific technology because they understand the
pedagogy for teaching specific content and know how technology can facilitate accomplishment
of the intended learning goal ( Davies, 2011, p. 50). Incorporating apps on iPads or tablets,
allows students to explore the many uses of these devices, while becoming more technologically
literate. As 21st century learners, it is vital to their success that students understand how to
effectively use technology to not only enhance their learning, but prepare them for the future.
Incorporating apps such as the ones listed above in daily activities, offers students an
opportunity to become proficient at using technology and gaining a better understanding of the
way they workand better yet how they can make technology work for them to enhance
learning. When identifying apps to use in the classroom, I first look at the content they need to
master by the end of the year, and how I can move each student further. I typically assign
different apps to different students, depending on their ability level. Many students are
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motivated by technology, and see it as a reward. Although they are enhancing their content
knowledge, they see it as a fun way to do so, remaining engaged and motivated. I plan to use
these apps during centers and incorporate in our daily small group lessons. It is vital for 21st
century learners, that I use my pedagogy and integrate technology as often as possible, to better
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