Free Apps that I Expored this Summer!
James Hermon--Summer 2012
Sight Words
Play Sight Words Gr. 1 & 2
 Good for grades: K-2
 Description:
o This app has games that you can play with sight words. The games are a fun
way to practice reading. You can also use the app with new or struggling
readers. The app has a “word tour” mode that teaches the words used.
o Can be used for students to review and practice reading sight words at a
center or in a small group
 Rubric Score (1-4):
o Curriculum Connection 4
o Authenticity
3
o Feedback
3
o Differentiation
3
o User Friendliness
3
o Student Motivation
3
1000 Sight Words
 Good for grades k-1
 Description:
o Great app to practice reading words. After a student reads the word they can
self-check by pressing the word. The app will say the word. If the student was
right they can give the word a green checkmark.
o Can be used for students to practice reading sight at a center or small group
 Rubric Score (1-4):
o Curriculum Connection 4
o Authenticity
4
o Feedback
3
o Differentiation
2
o User Friendliness
3
o Student Motivation
3
Spelling
Mini Word
 Good for grades 2-5
 Description:
o Balls will fall and you must think of words using the letters. Don’t let the balls
fill up to the top! Good for brain exercise!
o Can be used as a brain building challenge at center or with a small group
 Rubric Score (1-4):
o Curriculum Connection 2
o Authenticity
2
o Feedback
3
o Differentiation
2
o User Friendliness
4
o Student Motivation
4
Spellosaur
 Good for grades K-2
 Description:
o Great sight to practice specific words that you enter. Free version only allows
5 words at a time.
o Can be used to practice spelling weekly words at center or small group
 Rubric Score (1-4):
o Curriculum Connection 4
o Authenticity
3
o Feedback
3
o Differentiation
4
o User Friendliness
3
o Student Motivation
3
Phonics
Phonics Genius
 Good for grades K-5
 Description:
o This app gives you a lot of words that have specific phonics in them. Use it
when you are teaching a guided reading group or have older students practice
reading words that have a certain sounds in them. Students can also record
their own voice reading the word. Word lists can be customized.
o Can be used by students at a center, a small group or large group if hooked to
a Smartboard.
 Rubric Score (1-4):
o Curriculum Connection 4
o Authenticity
4
o Feedback
1
o Differentiation
4
o User Friendliness
4
o Student Motivation
3
Abitalk Phonics Vowels
 Good for grades k-1, 2 for struggling readers
 Description:
o This app shows a picture and then allows students different letter choices to
correctly spell the word. Both long and short vowels are covered. Free
version only gives you a and e.
o Can be used at a center
 Rubric Score (1-4):
o Curriculum Connection 4
o Authenticity
3
o Feedback
3
o Differentiation
2
o User Friendliness
4
o Student Motivation
3
Word Study
Word Builder
 Good for grades k-3
 Description:
o This app is good for teaching word families, suffixes, prefixes, vowel patterns,
blends and diagraphs. It also has high frequency words.
o Use this app to teach individuals or a small group. Would work great on
Smartboard for demonstration.
 Rubric Score (1-4):
o Curriculum Connection 4
o Authenticity
4
o Feedback
1
o Differentiation
1
o User Friendliness
3
o Student Motivation
2
Whiteboard Free
 Good for grades k-5
 Description:
o An app to replace dirty whiteboards
o Use on the iTouch for students to write onsets, rhymes, vowels or spelling
words. It’s quick, easy and motivating!
 Rubric Score (1-4):
o Curriculum Connection 4
o Authenticity
4
o Feedback
1
o Differentiation
1
o User Friendliness
4
o Student Motivation
4
Fluency
Quick Voice
 Good for grades: K-5
 Description:
o This is a great app to record the students reading and have them listen back
to themselves and self-assess.
o Can be used as a way for students to listen to themselves read and for DRA2
assessing purposes
 Rubric Score (1-4):
o Curriculum Connection 4
o Authenticity
4
o Feedback
4
o Differentiation
4
o User Friendliness
4
o Student Motivation
4
Listening Comprehension
Quick Voice
 Good for grades: K-5 (Same app, different use)
 Description:
o Record your voice reading a story or old ELA listening assessment. Have the
students listen and answer questions related to the story! Students get real
practice for the state test,
 Rubric Score (1-4):
o Curriculum Connection 4
o Authenticity
4
o Feedback
2
o Differentiation
4
o User Friendliness
4
o Student Motivation
3
Teacher Helpers
Educreations
 Good for grades k-5
 Description:
o This is another app to replace your messy whiteboard!
o Use to write sight words, vocabulary, or spelling words. Recording feature
allows you to replay steps. Great for teacher to use with small groups. No
more fumbling with flash cards!
o This app is also great to record a lesson for students to review, or have the
student teach the lesson and email it home for parents to see (learn).
 Rubric Score (1-4):
o Curriculum Connection 3
o Authenticity
4
o Feedback
1
o Differentiation
4
o User Friendliness
4
o Student Motivation
4
Pick Me Buzzer
 Good for grades k-5
 Description:
o Great app that can make answering comprehension questions more of a
game show feel. Very motivating!
o Use to quiz student’s knowledge
 Rubric Score (1-4):
o Curriculum Connection 1
o Authenticity
4
o Feedback
3
o Differentiation
1
o User Friendliness
4
o Student Motivation
4