More Pi Day Fun – Host a Pi Battle!

Ready for your Pi Battle? Memorize the digits of Pi with these free apps for iOS and Android:

• Pi Trainer App on Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.piday.android.pitrainer
• Learn Pi Free App: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/learn-pi-free/id518465060?mt=8

Three Free Apps You Can Use in Your Classroom Today: More Common Core

If our last list of free Common Core Standards Apps filled you with delight, be sure to check out the ones below, which are sure to make your life easier!

• Kendall Hunt Common Core Math is designed to implement CCSS in the Kendall Hunt district but can be utilized in all classrooms to look at K-12 math standards. This app is particularly helpful in student observations, as observations can be shared via email or tracked with the handy Timeline.
• BrainNook @ School Allows teachers to set assignments, track learning and progress, and is mapped to correspond to CCSS for grades 1-5 in math and language arts. There is also a complementary student app which allows students practice math and language arts.
• Excelegrade permits teachers to create Common Core-based assessments from an easy to use question bank. The tests are customizable, with digital or hard-copy administration, and the app features automatic grading, tracking, and reports for 6-8^th grade.

Three Free Apps You Can Use in Your Classroom Today: Common Core for Educators

Technology in your teaching practice helps to create order, organization, and provide invaluable resources. With the new Common Core Standards, here are some apps to reference in creating lesson plans or tracking student progress:

• Common Core Standards by MasteryConnect: Easily reference all of the Math and Language Arts CCSS for all grade levels in one convenient app! (iPhone, iPad, iPod)
• CS Core: Includes standards for California State and allows users to create notes and comments within the app, as well as send emails regarding standards. (iPhone, iPad, iPod)
• Core Math: Details Common Core Standards in Math and allows educators to enter and track the progress of up to 50 students. (iPhone, iPad, iPod)

Three Free Apps You Can Use in Your Classroom Today: Writing

The writing process has three key steps: prewriting, drafting, and reviewing. Educators can check out PUWW resources in our content area sections for tips on instructional practices. To help students practice all aspects of writing, check out these apps:

• Red Stamp: Let students practice writing letters by sending creative greeting cards! Writing for an audience can be a great way to motivate struggling writers. (iPad, iPhone, iPod, Android)
• Puppet Pals: Students can create videos by choosing characters, audio, animation, and more to tell a virtual story. (iPad)
• Moleskine: Like its namesake notebook, it allows users to write and draw in four different types of notebooks, including a ruled composition and a storyboard notebook. The app includes various tools to add colored text along with images, as well as a feature to export notebooks via email, Evernote, Facebook, and Twitter! 
• Tip: After students have drafted and reviewed a story, have them create a final “book” with the storyboard complete with images, and export for grading! (iPad, iPhone, iPod, Windows Phone 7.5/8, Samsung Galaxy Note)

Need more free writing apps? Try Lino to take notes, including videos and pictures (iPad or smartphone). Have writers block? Try Name Dice if students need assistance in creating character names in the early stages of writing (iPhone, iPad, iPod) or try WordDot: a random name and phrase generator to get those creative juices flowing.

Tablets are Everywhere – How Will You Use Them in Your Classroom?

With the cheaper iPad Mini and a wide variety of Android tablets now available, as well as newer budget-friendly tablets coming onto the market, more classrooms have access to some kind of tablet.

Is your school using tablets? If so, do you feel lost when it comes to finding apps that will integrate with evidence-based practices? We’ve put together a few resources and ideas to help you get started with great apps for education, but feel free to share your suggestions in the comments!

Finding Apps:

• Search for apps on the TechMatrix
• eSchool News: 10 of the best Apple apps for education in 2012
• eSchool News: 10 of the best Android apps for education in 2012
• iPhone, iPad and iPod touch Apps for (Special) Education
• Appolicious – App directory and search tool

Helpful Resources:

• Education’s Guide to Mobile Devices: Everything You Need to Know About Mobile Tech and Your Schools
• iPodsibilities – teacher website and blog dedicated to teaching with the iPod and iPad
• I Education Apps Review – A Community Effort to Grade Educational Apps