Tag Archives: apps for kids

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Fractions – by Brainingcamp

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fractions

FREE until January 17  – Fractions by Brainingcamp, an excellent educational app for teaching fractions. The app covers 7 topics: introduction to fractions, equivalent fractions, common denominators, comparing/ordering fractions, adding/subtracting fractions, multiplying fractions, and dividing fractions. Each topic includes: a narrated lesson (with visual models), virtual manipulatives for kids to explore, practice questions to check understanding, and a challenging game for additional practice. Kids earn badges as they work through the components of each topic.

WOW – I love everything about this app. The lessons are wonderful. The manipulatives are designed to promote understanding of the concepts presented. The practice questions give students and their teachers a check of their understanding. And, the challenging games helps kids further master the topic. It would be a fabulous for grades 3 and beyond!

Common Core State Standards met:

  • 3.NF.1. Understand a fraction 1/b as the quantity formed by 1 part when a whole is partitioned into b equal parts; understand a fraction a/b as the quantity formed by a parts of size 1/b.
  • 3.NF.3 – Explain equivalence of fractions and compare fractions by reasoning about their size. Understand two fractions as equivalent (equal) if they are the same size. Recognize and generate simple equivalent fractions, e.g., 1/2 = 2/4, 4/6 = 2/3).
  • 4.NF.3 – a. Understand addition and subtraction of fractions as joining and separating parts referring to the same whole.
  • 5.NF.3 – Interpret a fraction as division of the numerator by the denominator (a/b = a ÷ b).

Highly Recommended!

Download link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/fractions-by-brainingcamp/id471353363?mt=8&uo=4

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Fiete

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Fiete

FREE today – Fiete, an interactive picture book for 1 – 3 year olds. Kids help Fiete with his everyday tasks as they put tires on a car, pop a balloon with a pin, plant a seed, load a ship, etc. There are 17 interactive scenes and 3 memory games in this educational app. There are no written instructions which makes it suitable for a wide range of kids. The app is very intuitive – little ones can easily figure out how they are supposed to help Fiete. The cute, hand-drawn illustrations & animations are accompanied by relevant sound effects. The developers of this app created it for their own children so the app is ad-free and does not contain any in-app purchases or external links. It’s a perfect choice for the youngest iPhone/iPad users!!

Fiete - Wolfgang Schmitz

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Word Games: Brain Chain & Hollow Words

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brain chain

FREE today – Brain Chain, fun rhyming puzzles for kids of all ages. Each puzzle graphically represents two words that don’t necessarily go together; but, they rhyme. The letters needed to solve the puzzle are shown along the bottom. Just tap the letters in the correct order to solve the rhyme. Points are awarded for each puzzle that is completed correctly. If a player needs a hint, he/she can buy one with points. The first two puzzle sets are free. Additional sets can be unlocked with the player’s points or with in-app purchases. Kids will discover that some rhyming words look-alike (because of their spelling) and some rhyming words only sound alike. It would be fun to use these puzzles with kids then have them make up some of their own. 🙂 They remind me of hinky-pinky riddles which were always great for teaching kids about rhyming & syllables.

Download link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/brain-chain/id680239315?mt=8&uo=4

hollow words

Also FREE today – Hollow Words, another fun puzzle game from the same developer. Each puzzle graphically represents a common word or phrase. As the puzzles are correctly solved, points are awarded. Hints can be purchased if a player becomes stuck. The first two puzzle sets are free. Additional sets can be unlocked with points or with in-app purchases. I LOVE these kinds of puzzles. They’re fun and make kids think. I wish the app permitted you to go back and revisit the completed sets. It would be fun to review them and discuss what the different phrases mean. Then kids could take other common phrases and try to come up with some of their own. 🙂

Download link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/hollow-words/id689596858?mt=8&uo=4

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PBS KIDS Video

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PBS KIDS Video is a FREE app for the iPhone/iPad allows kids to watch video clips/some full episodes of their favorite PBS Kids television series from anywhere in the U.S. that has a 3G or Wifi connection. The app features more than 1,000 videos from over a dozen of the top PBS KIDS series – Fetch, Thomas & Friends, Sid the Science Guy, Word World, and more!  Every week there is a “Weekly Pick” – a set of fun educational videos based around that theme. For example, this week’s theme is “Do It Yourself Projects” from Design Squad. In the Parent Information section, parents can learn about the TV series – the intended ages & learning goals. What’s not to love? PBS KIDS Video provides quality programming in a safe, child-friendly environment.

PBS KIDS Video - PBS KIDS

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That’s Baloney! Kids Quiz Game

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That's Baloney

FREE for a limited time – That’s Baloney! Kids Quiz Game, an app based on the best-selling card game by Edupress™. This educational app features almost 2,500 quiz statements for grades 2 – 6. Kids show off their trivia skills by determining whether the statements are true or baloney. The game can be set to 5 different categories: language arts, math, science, social studies, or mystery meat. Each snack round features 10 questions. Sandwich rounds can be set for 20 or 40 questions. Some examples of the facts/trivia included are: 8 is an ordinal number; An average American has about 20 square feet of skin, weighing about 8 pounds; The zip code 55555 belongs to Young America, Minnesota. Kids must answer carefully because the game is over if they lose 4 or 5 pickles along the way. This app is cutely deigned and appealing to kids – a fun educational app!

Teachers, this app would be a great time-filler for your classroom – perfect for the end of the day, right before lunch, while your waiting to be called to an assembly, etc.

Download link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/thats-baloney!-kids-quiz-game/id674156832?mt=8&uo=4

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Teacher Clicker – Socrative / Student Clicker – Socrative

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Still FREE and now even better – Socrative, an app that turns any device with a web browser into a student response clicker.

Socrative has added two additional quiz features: # 1 – Teachers can now add images to their questions. #2 – The system can now grade short answer questions. Teachers just input the acceptable answers and the system does the rest. 🙂

This website and app are unbelievably cool – they turn any device with a web browser (iPhone, iPad, laptops) into a student response clicker. If a teacher has access to any kind of wireless lab, he/she can engage the entire class in a game or quiz and watch the results in real-time. Teachers begin by using their teacher app or logging into t.socrative.com with their email and password. Once logged in, teachers are assigned a room number to share with their students. Students log in using their student app or at m.socrative.com and enter the “virtual room number” provided by the teacher. Teachers initiate an activity and students respond on their devices. Multiple choice and short answer quizzes are easy to create – types of questions can be mixed. Teachers can also choose to run the quiz as a Space Race game. The students’ responses are visible to the teacher in real-time. Teachers can see what each child answered individually as well as what the group answered collectively. And the best part is… the app grades, graphs the results, and generates a report as an Excel spreadsheet or an email.

What a powerful tool for teachers – a short quiz at the end of a lesson can pinpoint what students understand and what needs to be reviewed. Hours of grading and analyzing test results are done immediately. Every student is involved – wow!

Highly recommended!

Teacher app Teacher Clicker - Socrative - Socrative           Student app Student Clicker - Socrative - Socrative

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iReward Chart: Reward Tracker Behavior Chore Chart for Parents

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FREE today – iReward Chart, an app that tracks your child’s behaviors & responsibilities. This app was featured on the Today Show, CNN-Money, the CNET Top 5, and AOL ParentDish Top 10. It is very simple to set up. Just type in your child’s name and check the behaviors/tasks you would like on the chart. Or, you can customize the chart by adding your own behaviors, tasks, healthy habits, responsibilities, etc. Then just tap a star for each day to reward that behavior. As the week progresses, the app keeps track of cumulative points. If you press balance, there is an option to payout the points. The app suggests rewards or you can create your own custom rewards. It also has sync services so that parents can share their charts across devices. The developers seem to have thought of everything. 🙂

What do I love about this app? I love that kids get double points for manners. I love that parents can customize the behaviors/responsibilities that they want to reinforce. I love that the rewards and the points to earn those rewards can be customized. Your child can work towards earning something he/she really wants. If you are looking for a method to keep track of your child’s behaviors, look no further. Try this basic version today.

The basic version of the app supports one child with 4 behaviors/tasks per week. There is a premium version available for $3.99 ( in-app purchase) that allows unlimited children and tasks.

Download link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/irewardchart-reward-tracker/id580042542?mt=8&uo=4

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La Luna: The Story Project

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FREE for a limited time – La Luna, an educational app based on Pixar’s Oscar-nominated short film. This app was selected as “Innovative Kids App” in the U.S. for the App Store’s Best of 2013! It includes the full theatrical release of the short film.

La Luna is a beautifully told fable of a young boy coming to age. It features the original artwork of Enrico Casarosa, the film’s director. The app includes 3 ways to enjoy the interactive story – as a short film, an interactive video, or a storybook. Also included is a fascinating “Behind the Scenes” section which explores the process of creation from storyboard to screen. Kids will learn about storyboards, turntables, sound design, visual design, and progression reel. They will love getting a glimpse of the process that Pixar uses to create its movies. And, the story is absolutely magical!

Highly recommended – do not miss this extraordinary app!!

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Moose and Zebra. Africa – Magazine for Kids

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FREE – the first issue of a new interactive magazine for young children, Moose and Zebra Africa. Kids join Moose and Zebra on a trip to Zebra’s homeland to learn facts about the region. This educational app includes 14 activities that reinforce skills such as counting, spotting differences, completing a pattern, sequencing, and more. There is also a hint mode for kids who need extra help. As kids complete each activity they are rewarded with a stamp. Cute characters and great pencil-drawn illustrations add to the appeal of the app. If your kids fall in love with Moose and Zebra, Moose and Zebra Sweden (issue 2) is available for $.99.

Download link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/moose-zebra.-africa-magazine/id709195913?mt=8&uo=4

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Math Splat

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Math Splat

FREE again for a limited time – Math Splat, a really fun mental math game. Kids are challenged to answer 21 math questions as fast as they can. A colorful paint splat covers each correct answer. Each game is timed and limited to 3 incorrect answers. Each incorrect answer adds a 3 second penalty to the final time. Kids will  love trying to beat their best time! The student can choose between easy, medium, and hard questions which makes this game great for differentiating instruction. Have kids graph their scores so that they can see themselves improve and in the process they will also learn to collect data. This educational app is perfect for getting kids to practice their facts in a fun way!

Common Core Standards met:

  • 1.OA.6 – Add and subtract within 20, demonstrating fluency for addition and subtraction within 10.
  • 2.OA.2 – Fluently add and subtract within 20 using mental strategies. By end of Grade 2, know from memory all sums of two one-digit numbers.
  • 3.OA.7 – Fluently multiply and divide within 100, using strategies such as the relationship between multiplication and division or properties of operations. By the end of Grade 3, know from memory all products of two one-digit numbers.

Download link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/math-splat/id495477324?mt=8&uo=4