How will the new iPad affect education? New apps keep coming and the old get better as they listen to us make recommendations on improving the app. Don’t ever fear writing to the developer-- in my experience the developers are grateful to hear your input.
Try these apps to encourage creative thinking and communication in your classroom.
Doodlecast for Kids $1.99- This app is great for all ages. It is similar to a whiteboard but incorporates templates for students who are hesitant about drawing. In addition, it comes with descriptive words. There is the blank slate as well for students who are comfortable drawing. In the art class, teachers can work an artistic style. In social studies, draw the different columns of Greek times. Teaching English? Have students draw pictures related to comprehension questions. Math teachers can use the app to draw math symbols or pictures to help them add and subtract numbers. Students can also state numbers, letters words and write them as reinforcement.
IEP Goals:
- Using manipulative materials, the student will display the value of numerals from: number from to: number to by arranging the items in the set into different combinations.
- The student will write numerals up to: number from a list and from dictation.
- When presented with different shapes (e.g., circle, triangle, square, rectangle, rhombus, trapezoid, pentagon, octagon and hexagon), the student will correctly match the shapes to their definition.
- The student will listen to a teacher presented story and will answer: number comprehension questions related to the read story.
Wonders of Old-Medieval Timeline $4.99- Wonders of Old is a four-part app series, dividing the events of world history into four historical time periods: ancient, medieval, new world and modern. Wonders of Old: Medieval Timeline is the second app in this series. Using a timeline from the 7th-16th centuries, students can focus on the different dynasties with beautiful pictures and succinct information about the time. A great way to teach students to be independent about a time period while enjoying the beauty of the era.
Core Curriculum:
Reading: Informational Text- Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
Writing Prompts $1.99 As teachers, we need to fresh and creative with writing prompts. Now you just need to shake writing prompts and you are ready to go!Includes scene elements, words, and sketches with the option to buy more packs for $.99 each. Writing is imperative at all levels across all curriculums. Some students excel with a prompt to get themselves prepared to write.
Common Core Standards:
- Elementary School: With guidance and support from adults, produce writing in which the development and organization are appropriate to task and purpose.
- Middle School: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content. Introduce a topic; organize ideas, concepts, and information, using strategies such as definition, classification, comparison/contrast, and cause/effect; include formatting (e.g., headings), graphics (e.g., charts, tables), and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension.
- High School: Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well-chosen details, and well-structured event sequences. Use precise words and phrases, telling details, and sensory language to convey a vivid picture of the experiences, events, setting, and/or characters.
Vicki Windman is a special education teacher at Clarkstown High School South.
