Solar Walk: 3-D Solar System Model
Cost: $0.99
Can you say... PHENOMENAL? I think the pictures explain the app for itself. The models are very detailed and accurate. There is a fast-forwarding time interface, and you can zoom past the planets as well as view their inner structures and see each of them close-up. A teacher stated, "I showed my class and they were all amazed! The planets looked so detailed and the Sun's glowing and fiery animation really captivated everyone's attention (including me!). I'd recommend anyone teaching or learning about the solar system this app. Five stars!"
Cost: $13.99
This is also a VERY neat app, though the app above has higher ratings (perhaps due to price and variety of features). It is an intriguing electronic book about the Solar System! I am impressed with this one.
Cost: $7.99
This is my favorite app out of every app that is offered- so far. Though somewhat expensive, it is worth the $7.99- and so much more, in my opinion. You scroll around the world, clicking on places of interest to learn interesting facts. You can zoom in or out- and get various views of the Earth. Music plays as you "travel" around the world, which makes the experience a little more authentic. I am impressed by the artist(s) who made this possible, the details of the graphics... and especially by how intrigued my class was when I introduced them to this one. Here is a video:
p.s. The National Geographic GeoBee Challenge for $1.99 is the PERFECT companion.
National Geographic Explorer Magazine
Cost: Free
This wonderful classroom magazine is available digitally as an e-magazine. The app looks excellent with sound effects, vivid graphics, and of course, incredible science information. This is certainly one of my favorite educational magazines; hopefully you see why!
Again, watch a short video:
Cost: Free
Awesome free app; opportune time to teach kids about how the Titanic was constructed. This app has interesting, old-fashioned animation.
Cost: $4.99
In this e-book, a character named Bobo meets Thomas Alva Edison and learns about the properties of light, including reflection and refraction, as well as interactive holograms and color.This app has an interesting format and received the Apple Design Award for 2012. Impressive honor!
Puzzleography Lite: USA Geography Puzzle Game
Cost: Free
This seems like an excellent game if you are interested in learning United States geography and/or need practice in learning where the states are located.
A Charlie Brown Christmas digital book app
Cost: $6.99
I grew up with this movie, and the app is beautiful. It has very high reviews. Understandably so!
Moron Test
Cost: $0.99
My aunt from New Hampshire introduced me to this app. Honestly, despite the title (LOL), I think it is wonderful for thinking outside the box and following directions. There are manipulations in this game that change quickly, such as where a certain button is located you need to press. I feel this app is excellent to see how closely one can pay attention, especially when the white index cards come up and you have to do the opposite of what the cards say.
Cost: $0.99
This app is WONDERFUL for teaching about the properties of light in a hands-on manner! I enjoy the cartoon-like graphics of the people and surroundings.
Cost: $0.99
This is from the same creators as the app above, as you notice the same "kids" are featured. There are some parts that are wonderful for upper elementary students, and then some for more advanced students as well.
Cost: $2.99
Have you been to the website or read the book? Those are phenomenal, so having the iPad app is the icing on the cake!
Cost: $2.99 (or the lite app is free)
We are finishing out with an app for fun. Rush Hour, the game from ThinkFun, is an app, and it is not bad at all! 2,500 challenges come with the game, ranging from "beginner" to "expert". The best part is that you never have to be concerned about losing game pieces like with the real game!
Of course, too, there are apps like Scholastic Storia (which I posted about a few days ago), Kindle, and iBooks (I have all three and love all three for what they are). Even if you do not have a Kindle, the app is available for the iPad.
I hope you have enjoyed this list of apps- they are most appropriate for ages 8-12. Honestly, I like this list better than the first list I compiled. More and more is being developed, too, so I know there is plenty more I can post about! The iPad is an incredible tool.
These apps look great. I pinned several so I wouldn't forget about them during the year! Thanks for compiling a list.
ReplyDeleteAmanda
The Teaching Thief
Thank you so much for taking the time to do this! I'd very much appreciated. My children have really enjoyed a few apps by the same company. They're called: Rocket Math, Presidents vs. Aliens, Stack the States, and Stack the Countries.
ReplyDeleteCame here through pinterest and found this very helpful as I look for educational apps for my kids. Thanks for writing :)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for posting these! My girls are pre-readers, but some of these will come in handy soon. I suggest you check out stack the states and stack the countries. They are fun for older kids and have lots in interesting info.
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