nd 2

Grade App Review

By Ashly Steele, Nancy Vera, and Andres Zaferson

Navigation:
Language Arts Math Science Conclusion

Note: We marked the best apps we reviewed with a .

Bluster

Standard: R.L.2.4: Describe how words and phrases (e.g., regular beats, alliteration, rhymes, repeated lines) supply rhythm and meaning in a story, poem, or song.

Bluster is a rhyming game that allows players to systematically match rhyming words until they use all the choices available in their word bank. Time: Bluster could easily be used as a filler for students to continue developing a foundational understanding of rhyming as necessary in order to begin looking at such words in context and determining how they help construct meaning. Usage in five to ten minute increments would work well for this app. Accountability: There are no built-in opportunities for assessment within this app, but if used in centers, students could be asked to extend their understanding by using three rhyming words in a poem. Grouping: In its present iteration, Bluster is most suitable for single players to practice their skills at one time. Additional Materials Needed: None.

Cost: The app itself is free, but additional rhyming words, extra synonyms, and other supplemental bundles cost $.99 each.
Device: iPad only.

Dr. Seuss Bookshelf

Standard: RL.2.6: Acknowledge differences in the points of view of characters, including by speaking in a different voice for each character when reading dialogue out loud.

Dr. Seuss is a literacy-building app that allows students to read or be read Theodore Giesels works. Time: Depending on the length of the book chosen and the purpose of the students interaction, usage could span from ten to twenty-five minutes. If students are reading or recording their own voices it may take considerably longer than if they were to have the book read aloud to them. Accountability: There is no way to export student narration, but teachers can use the app to listen to each students saved narration as a way to compare it to their earlier or subsequent readings.

Grouping: This app would work well in a variety of flexible group scenarios. Students could comfortably engage in use of the app individually, while paired or group readings would also be beneficial. For Green Eggs and Ham, for instance, after choral reading the entire book, two students could record the story, voicing the different characters, thus helping their understanding of point-of-view. Additional Materials Needed: None.

Cost: The initial app is free, but individual books cost anywhere from $.99 to $4.99. Devices: iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. Tips: When reading to themselves, students can click on any words or images that they are unsure of. When they do, the word(s) will become enlarged (as seen in the leftmost picture), and the narrator will pronounce them aloud.

Giant Picture Dictionary

Standard: L.2.4.e: Use glossaries or beginning dictionaries, both print and digital, to determine or clarify the meaning of words and phrases.

Giant Picture Dictionary is a beginning reference app for children. Time: Use of this app could vary from just a few minutes in order to successfully locate a needed word to ten or fifteen minutes for general perusing. Accountability: While note built into this app, students could extend their understanding by using words found in this app in other writing activities.

Grouping: As a reference app, students could both individually are cooperatively use this dictionary to find the definition, picture, and incontext example of a word. Additional Materials Needed: None. Cost: The app with limited access is free, but full access can be unlocked for $4.99. Devices: iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch.

Grammaropolis
Grammaropolis is a remarkable app that utilizes games, music videos, and quizzes to help students master grammar. Time: This app is one that could be used in increments of fifteen or twenty minutes at time. Over an extended period of time of usage, students could advance through the realms of Grammaropolis. Accountability: As shown in the picture on the right, student progress is recorded and available for viewing whenever desired.

Standard: L.2.1: Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.

Grouping: While some of the games are most appropriate for individual users, the music videos are wonderful resources that would do well to be projected for the entire class to view collectively. Small groups could also be used to brainstorm and write stories using types of words explained in the app (e.g., collective nouns, which is a focal point of 2nd grade grammar instruction)!

Additional Materials Needed: None. Cost: A partial download is available free, although to unlock the complete app, it costs $12.99. Devices: iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch.

Kidblog
Standard: W.2.6: With guidance and support from adults, use a variety of digital tools to produce and publish writing, including collaboration with peers.

Kidblog is a blogging website and app very similar to Wordpress that provides students with a secure environment in which to publish their writing online under their classroom teacher. Time: As students develop their typing skills, use of Kidblog may take a considerable amount of time. Teachers may want to consider allowing students to have a rough draft of their blog entry ready to go before they use the app, especially if technological resources are limited. Depending on the class, students may need anywhere from twenty to forty minutes to prepare a blog post. Accountability: The final product acts as a means of assessment. Grouping: Student blogs work well as individual writing assignments, but opportunities for students to share their writing and receive feedback from their peers is crucial. Additional Materials Needed: None. Cost: Free.

Devices: iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch.

Tips: In order to ensure a positive learning environment, students should understand the etiquette of peer review prior to utilizing this app.

Standard: L.2.5: Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships and nuances in word meanings.

Kidioms

Kidioms is an app that allows students to interact with idioms to better understand their meanings and practice usage through games. Time: Much like Bluster, Kidioms is a game that can be used in short increments of about ten minutes. Accountability: Although not built into the app itself, students might create an idiom poster differentiating between the figurative and literal meaning of an idiom presented in the app to share their understanding.

Grouping: Individual or small group use of this app would be most suitable. Additional Materials Needed: None, although two additional apps, Kidioms 2 and Kidioms 3, are available, as desired. Cost: $1.99. Device: iPad only. Tips: In Word Drop, the number of stars is the number of idioms they have correctly identified. Teachers can use this to spot-check understanding during student use. In all of the various games, the order of the questions is always the same. While this has its disadvantages, this also helps ensure that students master these concepts as they advance to additional idiomatic phrases.

Mad Libs

Standard: L.2.1: Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.

The Mad Libs app is the very famous game presented in electronic form, where students can practice their understanding of parts-of-speech to create hilarious stories. Time: The Mad Libs app is one that can be used within a time period of five to ten minutes. Accountability: Completed stories can be saved to the camera roll, providing the teacher access to student work. Grouping: I have seen Mad Libs used individually, although small and whole group implementation would work as well. In fact, having students cooperate and communicate is an effective way to ensure understanding amongst a greater aggregate of students.

Additional Materials Needed: None. Cost: The initial app, which provides access to a plethora of Mad Libs, is free, although in order to unlock additional books of twenty stories, it costs $1.99. Devices: iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch.

Tips: In order to make use of this app particularly relevant to 2nd grade students, I would recommend altering expectations so that they utilize the grammar they are learning. For instance, instead of asking for nouns, expect students to contribute irregular plurals (such as mice, below) and collective nouns.

News-O-Matic

Standards: RI.2.1: Ask and answer such questions as who, what, where, when, why, and how to demonstrate understanding of key details in a text RI.2.2: Identify the main topic of a multiparagraphic text as well as the focus of specific paragraphs within the text. W.2.1: Write opinion pieces in which they introduce the topic or book they are writing about, state and opinion, supply reasons that support the opinion, using linking words (e.g., because, and, also) to connect option and reasons, and provide a concluding statement or section. W.2.2: Write informative/explanatory texts in which they introduce a topic, use facts and definitions to develop points, and provide a concluding statement or section. W.2.8: Recall information from experiences or gather information from provided sources to answer a question.

News-O-Matic is an incredible electronic source for students to interact with a variety of informational articles that are geared toward them. Time: In order to successfully navigate this app and utilize it to its full potential, students would need to be given sufficient time to read articles, watch videos, and explore the map. Twenty to thirty minute increments would likely be satisfactory for students, as long as access was continual.

Accountability: Although not built into the app itself, students might use Kidblog or Write 2 Lite (reviewed later) to express their thoughts or write an informative/opinion piece on an article. Students might also present information discovered through Shadow Puppet (also reviewed), taking screenshots of the app or conducting additional research to supplement their understanding. These apps could help teachers assess student learning through News-O-Matic. Grouping: Students might read articles independently, but research shows that students are more motivated when they get to talk about what they read. Therefore, allowing students to discover interesting articles and read them together could be an effective approach to this app.

Additional Materials Needed: None. Cost: Classrooms can access the past five issues free of charge. In order to have access to a continual stream of articles and optimize student experience, a year-long subscription can be purchased for $9.99 Devices: iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch.

Tips: To ensure that students experience all of the functions NewsO-Matic has to offer, I would recommend conducting an overview beforehand that shows students that each article has access to: a fact an act (or call to action) a video (accessible through the play button on the right hand of the screen) a map that shows the location of the articles action in relation to the student a read to me option, which may be preferable to some students as they develop fluency.

Once Upon a Time in Japan

Standard: RL.2.2: Recount stories, including fables and folktales from diverse cultures, and determine their central message, lesson, or moral.

Once Upon a Time in Japan is an app that provides students access to culture-specific folktales. Time: Giving students twenty minutes at one given time with this app would be suitable, considering the length of the folktales. Accountability: There is no built-in mechanism for accountability, but other apps and cooperative activities could be used to help teachers assess student understanding. Grouping: Individual, small group, and whole class instruction could be utilized with this app. Additional Materials Needed: None. Cost: Free. Devices: iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. Tips: Within fables, functionality can be minutely tricky the first time through. To help curb confusion, lead students in their first reading to ensure that they can navigate the story successfully on their own.

Read to Kids

Standards: RF.2.4: Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension. SL.2.5: Create audio recordings of stories or poems; add drawings or other visual displays to stories or recounts of experiences when appropriate to clarify ideas, thoughts, and feelings.

Read to Kids is an app that allows users to record, listen to, and send custom audiobooks. Time: Depending on the desired use of this app, users may need anywhere from ten to thirty minutes at one time. Students recording their own audiobook will require a bit more time to navigate than those who are listening to a prerecorded story (from themselves, their peers, or their teacher). If students are emailing themselves an audiobook to listen to at home, their time needed will be very brief. Accountability: Students will have access to these stories they can listen to them time and time again, helping them develop their fluency skills. Comprehension questions can be developed using the Reading Comprehension Fiction for 2nd Grade app to assess their understanding. Grouping: As mentioned with the Dr. Seuss Bookshelf app, students may record readings of a book individually or in small groups, depending upon the material. Tip: Options for how students reading along should be notified to turn the page are also available, so users can hear, see, and read the text simultaneously! Additional Materials Needed: In order to use this app, students need to have access to the book that they wish to record, as Read to Kids simply records audio. Cost: Free. Devices: iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch.

Reading Comprehension Fiction for 2nd Grade

Reading Comprehension Fiction for 2nd Grade is an app that allows students to read grade-appropriate passages and answer comprehension questions about them. Even more wonderfully, teachers can develop their own passages and questions to better suit their classes needs. Time: Working with one passage at a time, students at different levels might need anywhere from five to fifteen minutes. Depending on educator needs, shorter or longer passages can be designed, as well as questions that target students areas of development. Accountability: The app records data on how users respond to comprehension questions. Grouping: Of course, students could work on this individually, but I think it would be more greatly beneficial used in centers, where students could chorally read the selection in small groups and then work together to answer the questions. This would encourage discussion and selecting evidence to support a claim.

Standard: RL.2.10: By the end of the year, read and comprehend literature, including stories and poetry, in the grades 2-3 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range.

Additional Materials Needed: None Cost: The app is free, although to unlock additional stories, an additional fee of $2.99 is charged. To avoid this, teachers can create their own. Device: iPad only.

Shadow Puppet
Shadow Puppet is a user-friendly app that allows users to create a narrated video using pictures from the camera roll. Time: The sample I made here took me under five minutes. Of course, depending on the subject matter and other requirements for Shadow Puppet videos, production could take twenty or more minutes as students become accustomed to the app. Accountability: The final product acts as a form of assessment.

Standards: SL.2.4: Tell a story or recount an experience with appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details, speaking audibly in coherent sentences. SL.2.5: Create audio recordings of stories or poems; add drawings or other visual displays to stories or recounts of experiences when appropriate to clarify ideas, thoughts, and feelings.

Watch this video that was made using Shadow Puppet!

Grouping: Flexible groups would work well for this app. Individuals or small groups could create the videos. As appropriate or desired, screenings could occur amongst whole classes. Additional Materials Needed: Access to desired pictures, either from the devices camera, preexisting roll, or internet sources. Cost: Free (for a limited time). Device: iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch.

TangledRoots

Standard: L.2.4.c: Use a known root word as a clue to the meaning of an unknown word with the same root.

TangledRoots is a game-based app where the player attempts to think of as many words as possible using the given root word. Time: Use of TangledRoots would work well in short increments of about ten minutes. Accountability: While not built into the app, teachers could implement activities where students could display their understanding of root words used in the game. Grouping: This app lends itself well to small group use during centers or workshop, where students can collaboratively communicate what words they can brainstorm. Trying it on my own was somewhat defeating, as once I ran out of ideas, I was done; if I had more people to contribute, the experience would have been longer lived and more exciting. Additional Materials Needed: None. Cost: Free. Devices: iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch. Tips: Remind students that they can view all of the words for a root once they have run out of ideas! They do want not skip this step!

Venn Diagram

Standards: RL.2.9: Compare and contrast two or more versions of the same story by different authors or from different cultures. RI.2.9: Compare and contrast the most important points presented by two texts on the same topic.

Venn Diagram is an app where users can compare and contrast any topics of their choosing. Time: Venn diagrams within this app can be saved and loaded at any time, so students could create their comparisons with a base time of ten to fifteen minutes with additional visits as necessary. Accountability: The final product emailed, printed, or otherwise viewedacts as a form of assessment. Grouping: Depending on teacher desire, students can create venn diagrams comparing and contrasting grade-level texts individually or in small groups. Additional Materials Needed: None.

Cost: Free. Device: iPad only.

Tips: To challenge gifted students, ask that they compare three or more aspects of the text! Venn Diagram allows as many circles as desired, so students can be creative in showcasing their ability to successfully compare and contract characters, points-of-view, etc!

Write 2 Lite

Standards: W.2.1: Write opinion pieces in which they introduce the topic or book they are writing about, supply an opinion, supply reasons that support the opinion, use linking words W.2.2: Write informative/explanatory texts in which they introduce a topic, use facts and definitions to develop points, and provide a concluding statement or comment. W.2.3: Write narratives in which they recount a well-elaborated event or short sequence of events W.2.5: With guidance and support from adults and peers, focus on a topic and strengthen writing as needed by revising and editing.

Write 2 Lite is an app where students can type papers, easily sort them into student-named files, and conveniently email their work for teacher feedback. Time: Depending on how teachers wish to use this app, total time needed may vary anywhere from fifteen to thirty minutes for students to successfully commit their ideas to digital paper. In order to keep time use well-contained, having students bring a draft or a brainstorm of their writing to the iPads would be helpful. Accountability: The final products, available for teachers to access in a multitude of ways (see picture on right), act as forms of assessment.

Grouping: The initial process of writing papers is largely an individual exercise, but integrating opportunities for peer review will help students develop strong communicative skills amongst their classmates early and help them learn how to edit and revise papers. Additional Materials Needed: None. Cost: The lite version, as described, is available free; the fullversion, which provides full-text search and direct printing capabilities, costs $2.99. Devices: iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch.

AB Math
Standard: 2.OA.B.2 Operations & Algebraic Thinking Fluently add and subtract within 20 using mental strategies. By the end of Grade 2, know from memory all sums of the two one-digit numbers.

Summary: This app allows students to practice four math operation skills: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Students can move levels, there are 4 levels of difficulty (easy, medium, hard, expert). In second grade students are starting to gain foundations for multiplication, this is a great app to help them develop there skills. This a very easy and fun app to use in learning basic math facts. Teachers could use the app as a way to introduce the lesson, in other words as the opening activity. Having students do a quick 10 minute math warm-up with this app, prepares them for the different math skills they will be using in the actual math lesson. As the school year progress, teachers can challenge students to try multiplication and division activities on the app. Accountability/Assessment: There is a timer that students can use to help them keep track of how long it takes them to complete the problem (as they might be timed to 10 minutes as mentioned in the summary). Students can take a screenshot of the results page to show their teacher how they did in their activity.

Cost: $1.99.
Compatibility: iPad, iPhone, iPod touch.

BrainNook Grade 2 Math

Standards: 2.OA.C.3 Operations and Algebraic Thinking 2.NBT.A.1 Number & Operations in Base Ten Determine whether a group of objects has an odd or even number of members, e.g. by pairing objects or counting them by 2s; write an equation to express an even number as a sum of two equal addends. Understand that the three digits of a three-digit number represents amounts of hundreds, tens, and ones.

Summary: This app is great tool to help review many different fundamental math skills, in particularly place value and odd and even numbers. Through a fun interactive game students can sort numbers based on their place value, including ones, tens, hundreds, and as a challenge thousands. Students classify numbers as even or odd based on numbers or objects that are visually presented. All activities meet the Common Core Standards. Teachers can choose a certain activity that meets a math standard that they are working on, for example odd and even numbers. During stations there can be an odd and an even station in which students complete the activities from the app. The students would be rotating completing all of the activities but in different stations and times. In the stations the students would be allowed to help each other, and encourage to try their best as their work would be kept in progress by the teacher. If students had the resources (iPad) at home, they could even complete homework assignments through this app.

Accountability/Assessment: It is very easy for teachers to keep track of students progress. Best of all teachers can have students use this app to complete assignments and assessments right on the iPad. Cost: $4.99. Compatibility: iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch.

Common Core Number and Operations in Base Ten (K-2)

Summary: This app is great tool for second grade students who might still be struggling understanding the concept of operations in base ten. They could work on problems using this app to become more confident with their work. The use of virtual manipulative blocks makes it easy to use and engaging for students. Although this tool would be great to use for students who are experiencing difficulty working with base 10, the entire class could benefit using this app. Instead of having to provide each student a set of manipulatives (blocks), the app provides them as well as a whiteboard and a calculator icon to check answers. Teachers can pair the students up and have them work together on one iPad. Both students would be sharing and working toward the same common goal of finding the answer and understanding the concept of different bases. Teachers could give approximately 3-5 minutes on each problem before the class discuss the answers. It is important that teachers remind students to not use the calculator tool until they have actually use the blocks to find an answer. Only after everyone has solved the problem, students will be able to check their answers with the calculator.

Standard: 2.NBT.1 & 2.NBT.B.5 Numbers & Operations in Base Ten Understands that the three digits of a three-digit number represents amounts of hundreds, tens, and ones. Fluently add and subtract within 100 using strategies based on place value, properties of operations, and/or the relationship between addition and subtraction.

Accountability/Assessment: Teachers can choose the standard that they want their student to work on. The app provides students' statistics which include: percent correct, number of attempts, number of correct answers, and number of wrong answers. Cost: $2.99 Compatibility: iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch.

Elementary School Math HD

Summary: This app is great to help students learn various fundamental math skills. Although some of the activities are recommended for 4th and 5th grade, I strongly believe that second grade students would benefit from this app. The app allows two second grade common core math standards to be met through different activities. In the Data Magnet activity students have the opportunity to generate a bar graph to display their data. In the Pinpoint Plotter activity the students get to plot points on a coordinate grid, giving them a chance to become familiar with such task. Although the other activities in the app might be a bit more for advanced grades, it would not hurt for the students to play and practice higher level math skills. A way in which this app could be integrated into a lesson is by using it as a type of group work activity. Teachers could have groups of students work on developing in a simple survey such as what is your favorite ice cream?, and collect data (flavors) from their classmates. Based on their collected data (e.g. 5 like chocolate, 7 like vanilla, etc.) students could use the graphing tool in this app to generate a bar graph. This activity would take approximately 35 minutes to complete, as they would first collect information and then input it to the bar graph generator. Groups could take a screenshot of their final graphs to either print them out to turn in as hard copy, or send it via email to their teacher. By adding the technology component with the use of iPads, students leaning experience can be enhanced. Accountability/Assessment: Each activity keeps track of the correct answers as well as the mistakes made. The questions are timed, students need to answer within the time limit. There are different levels that students progress as they reach a certain number of questions. Cost: $2.99 Compatibility: iPad, iPhone, iPod touch.

Standard: 2.MD.C.9 & 2.MD.C.10 Measurement & Data Generate measurement data by measuring lengths of several objects to the nearest whole unit, or by making repeated measurements of the same object. Show the measurements by making a line plot, where the horizontal scale is marked off in whole-number units. Draw a picture graph and a bar graph to represent a data set with up to four categories.

First Step 2nd Grade Math

Summary: This app is aligned to common core standards and has over 1,200 questions focused on developing core math skills in six areas: number sense, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, time. Through this interactive learning app students are engaged in solving/answering questions and earning coins have their own animal in the safari. The app allows learning to be personalize as the levels are adjusted to students performance. This app could be used as a way to review multiple content areas, since it covers multiple math skills teachers could use this program for computer time. Most schools offer all students computer time, a time in which students develop their computer skill through the use of several programs. Since the use of iPads is increasing I believe that students could use their iPads during this time too. I think this app would be a great tool for students struggling with math to use during. Since the educational activities and games are fun to complete then those students struggling in math would be eager to work on them. Allowing students to use the iPad for approximately 20 minutes of computer time would make a huge difference in students mathematic skill (level). Accountability/Assessment: Teachers would be able to keep track of students progress through performance reports. Details would display what exactly the student has been working on, and teachers could decide to have students make changes (e.g. spend more time on learning addition and less on number sense activities). Cost: $9.99. Compatibility: iPad, iPhone, iPod touch.

Standard: 2.NBT.B.5 Number & Operation in Base Ten Fluently add and subtract within 100 using strategies based on place value, properties of operations, and/or the relationship between addition and subtraction.

Freefall Money

Standard: 2.MD.C.8 Measurement & Data Solve word problems involving dollar bills, quarters, dimes, nickels, and pennies, using dollar and coins symbols appropriately.

Summary: This app is great to help students learn how to count money through various activities. Students are presented with different scenarios to practice counting such as: fill the piggy bank, enter the amount, and add up groups of coins. The coins that are used can be easily manipulated and look very realistic. For example, an amount will be shown such as $0.89 the student will have to drag the coins that make up that amount and fill the piggy bank. As students complete the different task they are able to take part of the fish tank rewards system and earn virtual pet fishes. After teaching students a lesson on the names and values of the different coins, students can put their newly gained knowledge into action. Students need to be able to get direct experience with handling coins. However, instead of having to provide coins for every single student this app can be used. Teachers could have students working independently trying to gain practice with coins in theses activities. It avoids having lost coins and engages students to math as the coin manipulatives are easy and fun to use. Allowing students to work independently for 10-15 minutes would be a great start. Accountability/Assessment: Teachers can see students scores as they are kept in record as they move through different levels. Any of the activities can be chosen by teachers as a use of assessment for the students. Cost: $1.99. Compatibility: iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch.

Geoboard

Standard: 2.G.A.1 & 2.G.A.2 Geometry Recognize and draw shapes having specified attributes, such as a given number of angles or a given number of equal faces. Identify triangles, quadrilaterals, pentagons, hexagons, and cubes. Partition a rectangle into rows and columns of same-size squares and count to find the total number of them.

Summary: This app is great tool to help introduce shapes to elementary students, however could be used for higher grades too, as different activities could be used such as finding the area and perimeter of the shape. It can be enjoyable for students to use the Geoboard, as manipulating the rubber band is very easy. Students can build different shapes, and by doing so can be come familiar with their attributes (e.g. corners/sides). Teachers could use this geoboard as part of the lesson instruction, they can have students hold up the iPad to show certain shapes the teacher wants to see. For example, the teacher can say I want everyone to make a long rectangle in their geoboards. Students would use the virtual manipulatives to do so and then put it up for the teacher to see. Teachers could then add to the previous prompt and say I want everyone to divide the rectangle into same-size squares. Instead of having draw this in pencil and have students constantly erasing, this app makes it easy to make and divide shapes equally. The exact amount of time for this app to be used would depend on the type of activity students are using it for (e.g. just forming shapes vs. forming shapes and diving them into equal parts). Accountability/Assessment: It is possible for teachers give formative assessments of their with this app. For example, teachers could have students make a certain shape to check their ability to recall each shape. All students would be held responsible for keeping up with directions/instructions. Cost: Free. Compatibility: iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch.

Math Challenge 1
Standard: 2.OA.A1 Operations & Algebraic Thinking Use addition and subtraction within 100 to solve one-and two-step problems involving situations of adding to, taking from, putting together, taking apart, and comparing with unknowns in all positions.

Summary: This app is great tool for second grade students who might still be struggling with their addition and subtraction skills. It would be great to have students work on this app when they finish an assignment early , possibly allowing them 15 minutes to use it. Through the different games students will be able to improve their math skills. Teachers can make customize the activity that the student completes by: setting number of questions, number of tries, and amount of time to complete. Another great feature about the app is that it can be adjusted to students levels. Depending on the class, teachers could use this as a whole class activity for centers, or just use it for students who require extra practice/review.

Accountability/Assessment: Teachers can have students complete an activity specifically assess students understanding. A progress report can keep track of students results. Cost: $2.99. Compatibility: iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch.

Math Fractions: Understanding Fractions

Summary: This app is great tool to helps teach students how to divide shapes into equal parts, or in other words make fractions. The activities begin simple by just having students divide regions into equal parts. There are multiple questions that ask which shape is divided equally and which are not. The questions provide the correct answers with a brief explanation of why it is in fact correct. If the question is answered incorrectly there is a clear explanation and hint to help the student understand the concept better. Students learn through the activities how to accurately name the parts (e.g. fourths) It is great if students have the audio on to hear the instructions said orally. The students get the opportunity to cut shapes into equal parts by manipulating the shapes. There are helpful fraction videos for students to watch and gain a better understand of fractions for upper grades. For the most part, the activities are multiple choice questions then it is better for students to work individually on this app. If the students have the appropriate resources at home (iPad), then it would be highly encourage for students to work on the activities at home as part of their homework. Yet. Not all students have accesses to resources at home, so this app activity could be added as part of 15 minute center.

Standard: 2.G.A.3 Geometry Partition circles and rectangles into two, three, or four equal shares using the words halves, thirds, half of, a third of, etc., and describe the whole as two halves, three thirds, four fourths. Recognize that equal shares of identical wholes need not have the same shape.

Accountability/Assessment: It is possible for students get quick feedback on questions in the activities. There are multiple choice practice questions that teachers can assign to students as a form of both formative and summative assessment, The final students scores are presented at the end of each section with correct responses. Cost: $0.99. Compatibility: iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch.

Math Grade 2

Standard: 2.MD.B.6 & 2.MD.D.10 Measurement & Data Represent whole numbers as lengths from 0 on a number line diagram with equally spaced points corresponding to the numbers 0,1,2,, and represent whole-number sums and differences within 100 on a number line diagram. Draw a picture graph and a bar graph to represent a data set with up to four categories. Solve simple put-together, take-apart, and compare problems using information presented in a bar graph.

Summary: Various mathematics common core standards are met with the different activities: numbers sense, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, geometry, fraction, data and graphs, tell time, and equivalent money. I found the picture graphs very helpful for students to visually see a representation of numbers with different objects such as fruit and animals. The money activities help students learn the coin names and values. There are not any manipulatives that students can use to solve the math problems, I recommend students to have a scratch sheet of paper and pen to complete the problems on there. This app is a great learning tool for all second grade students. Teachers can be use this app as a sponge activity to reinforce numerous skills needed for second grade. When there is extra time in the day, teachers could have students work on different activities on this app independently. By working on the app for approximately the 10 minutes of the school day, the students are both having fun and building important math skills required to succeed. Accountability/Assessment: Teachers can have students complete an activity specifically to assess students understanding in a particular subject area. A teacher can for example assign a student to complete an activity about number sense, well at the end of the activity an overall score is administered to the teacher. Based on the results, teachers can decide whether an intervention is necessary or not. Cost: $0.99. Compatibility: iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch.

Meaning of Multiplication
Standard: 2.OA.C.4 Operations & Algebraic Thinking Use addition to find the total number of objects arranged in rectangular arrays with up to 5 rows and up to 5 columns; write an equation to express the total as a sum of equal addends.

Summary: This app allows students to practice there addition and slowly begin to gain foundations for multiplication. This app does a fantastic job in introducing multiplication to students with the use of visuals and addition. Through the activities the students can understand exactly how multiplication is just a quicker version of addition. Students solve multiple problems to practice, and apply their learning. Teachers could use this app with the entire class to support the introduction of multiplication. After providing instruction on this new content area, teachers could have students work on this app as part of a way to apply their learning through the activities. Teachers should give students 3 minutes to solve each problem and then have them show their work by holding their iPad up in the air showing their answers. Getting this instant feedback from students allows teachers to adjust their instruction based on students understanding. If multiple students struggle answering the questions correctly, then teachers should provide more instruction before continuing to have students work on this app. Accountability/Assessment: There are multiple questions that students can complete and be used as a type of assessment to evaluate students knowledge. Cost: $1.99. Compatibility: iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch.

Measure This

Standard: 2.MD.A.1 & 2.MD.A.4 Measurement & Data Measures the length of an object by selecting and using appropriate tools such as rulers, yardsticks, meter sticks, and measuring tapes. Measure to determine how much longer one object is than another, expressing the length difference in terms of a standard length unit.

Summary: This app is a great tool to help students understand the concept of measuring. The virtual workbook introduces comparison and measurement in a very simple manner for students. There is an interactive ruler that allows students to practice measuring the length of different objects. The measuring scenarios presented use real-life images that make the activities more relevant to students life. This app could be used by students individually, instead of having students complete a worksheet from the workbook, teachers could have students used this app. All students could be assigned an activity to work on independently for 20 minutes and as they finish a section the students can take a screenshot of the results page and email it to the teacher. By having the results emailed, teachers could monitor more closely how each student is doing and determine which students might actually need extra support on the subject matter. Teachers could safe time in creating and grading worksheets and have more time to work with students who require extra assistance on understanding the content matter. Accountability/Assessment: As students complete the activities they move to the next level until they complete all sections and obtain a Certificate of completion. Cost: $1.99. Compatibility: iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch.

Smart Pirate
Standard: 2.M.D.C.7 Measurement & Data Tell and write time from analog and digital clocks to the nearest five minutes, using a.m. and p.m.

Summary: This educational app helps teach students how to recognize fractions, to read time, to solve mathematical expressions (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division). There are four levels of difficulty that the students progress through. The app provides many examples of addition, multiplication, subtraction and division. Most importantly this app is a great tool for students to learn how to read time accurately within hour, half an hour, 15 or 5 minutes (all depending on the difficulty level). Students are engaged with the games, music, and sound effects. One way in which this tool could be used in class is a way to reinforce the content taught. For example, after teaching a lesson on telling time students can be placed with a partner to practice their new skills. One student could complete the first round of questions, while the other monitors to make sure that his or her partner is actually training to answer the questions and staying on task. Students would switch roles, and during the activity support each other any time there might be a confusion. By having students work together they can learn from one another, they could work in partners for about 15 to 20 minutes.
Accountability/Assessment: There is a timer that keeps track of students time to complete the questions. Teachers can see scores are kept to keep track of students progress. Cost: $1.99. Compatibility: iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch.

Splash Math 2
Practice Math for the Entire School Year
Standard: All content is aligned with math common core standards!

Summary: A perfect virtual math workbook that covers over 200+ math skills. Teachers can choose a topic by chapter or combine multiple chapters for students to master multiple content areas at once. Each of the topic starts at an easy level and the student moves to higher levels as they complete tasks (activities). Electronic, or virtual, manipulatives allow for a more hands-on, interactive approach to problem solving. Teachers can assign a specific activity for a student to complete and increase their math skills. This app could be used during centers, each student would be working on their own iPad individually. It would be great to have the students use the app for 15 minutes based on the topic that is being taught that week (e.g. using it to practice adding two digits). Besides using this app in centers, teachers could have students work on the app when they finish their work early. Most teachers provide a variety of activities to work on when they finish their work early (e.g. read quietly). This app would be a good sponge activity for students to work on. Students should have a scratch paper and pen ready to use for the activities.

Topics: place value, counting & number patterns, one digit addition/subtraction, two digit addition/subtraction, time, measurement, geometry, data, money, and three digit addition/subtraction. Accountability/Assessment: Teachers can keep track of their students progress as it provides a performance summary report. An overall progress graph makes it very easy for teachers to see how the student is specifically doing in the different areas (topics). Cost: $9.99 (Although it is a bit pricey, I strongly recommend this app!) Compatibility: iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch.

Telling Time HD

Standard: 2.M.D.C.7 Measurement & Data Tell and write time from analog and digital clocks to the nearest five minutes, using a.m. and p.m.

Summary: This app is great to help students learn how to tell time through various fun activities. Students are able to manipulate the clock hands anywhere on the dial and hear the time read to them. Through the activities students gain knowledge on using both digital and analog clocks. There are situations in which they will have to determine what time it will be after a certain number of minutes pass, for example the clocks will read 8 oclock and it ask what time will it be in 15 minutes? It is absolutely beneficial for students to be able to work with both digital and analog clocks, often students learn to read just one over the other. As they play the different games (Free Play, Which Time, Set the Clock, and How Long), students get the opportunity to win virtual prizes. This app would be great to use during the lesson instruction, when teachers are teaching how to tell time they could have the students use the app to manipulated the clock hands. Just as white boards are used during class to check for understanding, this clock app can be used in the same manner. A teacher can say show me 5:30 on your analog clock students would manipulate the clock arms and then show the teacher their response. Teachers could instantly tell if students are understanding the concept or not. One thing that is important to point out is that the hands of the analog clock look almost the same length, it can be difficult for some students to remember that one is the minute hand and the other is the hour hand. Accountability/Assessment: Students scores are kept in track as they move through different activities and levels of difficulty. Teachers could use it as a quick form of formative assessment (as mentioned in my summary). Cost: $2.99. Compatibility: iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch.

nd 2

Grade Science Glossary #1

Standards: This app comprehensively covers the second grade science tandards.

Description: This glossary is used as a study tool to support science vocabulary acquisition through illustrations and narration. Time: This app should be used in auxiliary time to reinforce what students have learned in the preceding lessons for no more than fifteen minutes a day. Accountability/Assessment: The app has multiple quizzes throughout that will reinforce and assess what the student is comprehending. Grouping and Management: Students could work individually, but partners might be better so that he students can study cooperatively and quiz each other. Tips/Reminders: Science vocabulary is important as a foundation for developing and understanding further science concepts. Additional Materials Needed: For extra support, a science journal can be incorporated to take notes and scribe definitions into a personal glossary. Cost: $0.99 Compatible Devices: iPad only.

Animal Homes Free

Standard: LS4.D: Biodiversity and Humans There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.

Description: This app follows the story of a whirlwind hitting the rainforest. The baby animals get lost , and the students have to find and return them to their proper place. During the process of returning the animals to their families, the students learn about the homes and habitats of the animals. Videos and animations are incorporated to motivate students as they focus their attention. Time: Students can work for a full thirty to forty-five minutes with this app. Accountability/Assessment: The animals and homes are listed on the website so the teacher can assess and monitor learning outside of the app itself. Grouping and Management: Students can engage with this app individually. Tips/Reminders: Hints are provided throughout the game, so students should generally avoid them. The teacher can adapt app use for those that would benefit from the hints. Additional Materials Needed: None. Cost: Free. Compatible Devices: iPhone and iPad.

Animals of Africa
Standard: ESS2.B: Plate Tectonics and Large-Scale System Interactions Maps show where things are located. One can map the shapes and kinds of land and water in any area.

Description: This app shows where endangered animals live, using maps. The students are given the task to decipher where animals belong. Time: To practice with the map, the students can work twenty to thirty minutes at a time. Accountability/Assessment: The app uses a hands-on approach to learning facts by using maps, matching habitats, and dragging and completing puzzles. The teacher would observe, walking throughout the class. Grouping and Management: Students could work with partners or in small groups. Tips/Reminders: This app expands the Montessori continent box, so teachers should be prepared to present similar information if the material is not already equipped in the classroom. Additional Materials Needed: Montessori continent box. Cost: Free. Compatible Device: iPad only.

Botanist Bert Science Experiments and Phonics

Standards: LS2.A: Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems Plants depend on water and light to grow. Plants depend on animals for pollination or to move their seeds around. SL.2.2 Recount or describe key ideas or details from a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media. SL.2.5 Create audio recordings of stories or poems; add drawings or other visual displays to stories or recounts of experiences when appropriate to clarify ideas, thoughts, and feelings.

Description: The Quirkles lead students through phonics exploration and science. Plants grow from seedlings. Games, videos, experiments, and facts help students explore. Time: This app can be used during an entire science unit for some auxiliary time to support the lesson. Accountability/Assessment: The teacher would monitor and assess while walking through the classroom. Grouping and Management: Students can work individually or with partners. Tips/Reminders: Literacy will be reinforced while the students follow science games and activities. Additional Materials Needed: None. Cost:$2.99. Compatible Devices: iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch.

Easy Learn Adaptation in Plants HD

Description: Students will learn facts about plants and habitats through pictures, practice, and quizzes. Time: The app could be used to supplement a second lesson or be used within a lesson. Accountability/Assessment: In practice mode, the students can practice what they learn by answering questions or clues. Quiz mode is similar but gives an average score for the quizzes taken. Grouping and Management: The lessons and practice sections can be used individually or with partners, but the quiz mode should be used individually so the teacher can assess the students. Tips/Reminders: Use the table of contents to direct students through the learning mode in order follow lessons in the class, then do related practice and quizzes. Additional Materials Needed: During learning mode, pencils and science journals can be utilized to support learning. Cost: $2.99. Compatible Devices: iPad only.

Standards: LS2.A: Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems Plants depend on water and light to grow. Plants depend on animals for pollination or to move their seeds around. LS4.D: Biodiversity and Humans There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.

Ecosystems HD
Description: This app provides students with characteristics about various ecosystems and habitats. The text-to-speech button helps scaffold the early reader or English learner. Matching games support memory, understanding, application, evaluation and analysis concepts. Time: The app could be incorporated into a couple fortyfive minute lessons. Accountability/Assessment: The quizzes have immediate feedback with questions based from Blooms Taxonomy. Grouping and Management: Students can work in small groups to complete and discuss the activities. Tips/Reminders: Everything is well-organized for the teacher to simply navigate the information desired for a lesson. Additional Materials Needed: Pencils and science journals could be incorporated to support student learning. Cost:$2.99. Compatible Device: iPad only.

Standard: LS4.D: Biodiversity and Humans There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.

A Life Cycle App

Description: The life cycle app shows different animals and plants throughout their life cycles in both land and water using illustration and narration. Time: This would be used as basic quick lesson, building off previous work completed about the life cycle, now emphasizing the where. Accountability/Assessment: There are no assessment capabilities built into this app. It is more basic, allowing student to bridge what they know to the full lesson. Grouping and Management: The whole class would be working together. Tips/Reminders: This app is intended to bridge content, and in turn help students transition previous knowledge to support the next step of comprehension. Additional Materials Needed: None. Cost:$0.99. Compatible Devices: iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch.

Standards: LS2.A: Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems Plants depend on water and light to grow. Plants depend on animals for pollination or to move their seeds around. LS4.D: Biodiversity and Humans There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.

Life Science Through Photography

Standards: LS2.A: Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems Plants depend on water and light to grow. Plants depend on animals for pollination or to move their seeds around. ESS2.B: Plate Tectonics and Large-Scale System Interactions Maps show where things are located. One can map the shapes and kinds of land and water in any area.

Description: This app has the English Learner in mind because the pictures spur discussion, allowing children to reflect on their previous knowledge and experiences pertaining to life science. Time: The time would depend on the direction of the discussions. If the students are engaged in the discussions, the time could be extended. Accountability/Assessment: The teacher would have to roam and sit with group to group, or, alternately, have each group sit with her in a station to partake in discussion. Grouping and Management: Small groups should be utilized to promote discussion among all individuals. Tips/Reminders: By tapping experiences of the students, they will gain higher vocabulary development and will be more prepared to comprehend material they read. Additional Materials Needed: Specific job cards to facilitate discussion would be an especially helpful tool when using this app. Cost: $3.99. Compatible Device: iPad only.

Living vs. Nonliving

Standards: LS4.D: Biodiversity and Humans There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water. ETS1.B: Developing Possible Solutions Designs can be conveyed through sketches, drawings, or physical models. These representations are useful in communicating ideas for a problems solutions to other people.

Description: The interactive storybook uses animations, riddles, and puzzles to identify the differences between living and nonliving things. Time: A forty-five minute lesson might be given in conjunction with the app. Accountability/Assessment: Students will classify the proposed examples as living or nonliving . Grouping and Management: Students can sit on the carpet to listen and interact with the teacher and the book in a whole class setting. Tips/Reminders: Quizzes are for younger students, so the teacher will have to adapt the lesson and quizzes to meet the needs of second graders. Additional Materials Needed: None. Cost: $2.99. Compatible Devices: iPad only.

Physics - Heat and Cold

Standard: PS1.B: Chemical Reactions Heating or cooling a substance may cause changes that can be observed. Sometimes these changes are reversible, and sometimes they are not.

Description: This app uses heat and cold to demonstrate thermal expansion, melting, and heat transfer. Using videos and games, the app focuses on virtual tour through an ice factory. By tapping on characters, students can hear interesting facts about solidification and the water cycle. Time: The app could be used for about fifteen minutes per topic to support the lesson. Accountability/Assessment: Interactive games can be monitored by the teacher walking around the classroom. Grouping and Management: Students can work individually or in pairs. Tips/Reminders: Four interlocking topics are covered throughout the app that can be accessed by following and clicking on characters. Additional Materials Needed: Pencils and science journals can be use to reinforce the information given in the lessons with the information from the apps. Cost: $1.99 Compatible Devices: iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch.

Pic Collage

Standards (for how the app will be used): PS1.A: Structure and Properties of Matter Different kinds of matter exist and many of them can be either solid or liquid, depending on temperature. Matter can be described and classified by its observable properties. ETS1.B: Developing Possible Solutions Designs can be conveyed through sketches, drawings, or physical models. These representations are useful in communicating ideas for a problems solutions to other people.

Description: Pic Collage is an app that can be incorporated into many lessons, but for the purpose of this lesson, Pic Collage would be used to compile pictures to represent the different states of matter. These photos would be either procured from the internet or taken by the students themselves. Time: This activity may take up to forty-five minutes. Accountability/Assessment: Students will need to be accountable for how they treat the technological devices as they go through campus taking pictures or locate pictures from the web. Grouping and Management: Students can be partnered or work in small groups. Tips/Reminders: Students should be reminded of any rules about iPad use and how they should walk about before they begin to explore the campus. Additional Materials Needed: Rules for walking around campus while using technology will need to be implemented. Cost: Free. Compatible Devices: iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch.

Plants HD

Standard: LS2.A: Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems Plants depend on water and light to grow. Plants depend on animals for pollination or to move their seeds around.

Description: This app takes students on a journey from seeds to pollination to fruit. The information is sorted like a deck of cards with illustrations on the front and information that can read or listened to on the back. Student engagement is supported through fun, interactive games. Time: The app can be used continuously over the span of a related unit for about fifteen minutes at a time. Accountability/Assessment: Interactive quizzes are used to advance to the next level, so the teacher can observe students' levels to assess how they are doing. Grouping and Management: To better manage understanding, students should work individually. Tips/Reminders: Games reinforce learning as students try to earn coins. Questions are situated at easy, intermediate, and advanced levels, allowing easy differentiation. Additional Materials Needed: Pencils and science journals can be used to support understanding. Cost: $1.99. Compatible Device: iPad only.

SciRave: Life Science for Ages 7+

Standards: LS2.A: Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems Plants depend on water and light to grow. Plants depend on animals for pollination or to move their seeds around. LS4.D: Biodiversity and Humans There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.

Description: Songs and games work harmoniously to reinforce how animals and plants exist in different habitats and follow different cycles. Time: The app can freely be used to explore during auxiliary time. Accountability/Assessment: Students would use the app to reinforce or learn, using music and songs with the information presented in the lesson. Grouping and Management: Students can sing and explore together in partners or small groups. Tips/Reminders: Students should be able to stay on task while focusing on the information, thanks in part to both the songs and games. Additional Materials Needed: Headphones could be used if the students are not able to sing aloud. Cost: $1.99. Compatible Device: iPad only.

Seed Cycle

Standard: LS2.A: Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems Plants depend on water and light to grow. Plants depend on animals for pollination or to move their seeds around.

Description: This app shows the life cycle of a plant, demonstrating the importance of pollinators. Student help bees navigate to help the flowers grow. Time: This could be used as an end-of -lesson activity for about fifteen minutes so the students can apply what they have learned. Options for the text to be read to the student can benefit the early reader or English Learner. Accountability/Assessment: The teacher must walk through the classroom to observe, monitor, and assess students learning and engagement. Grouping and Management: Students can work individually or in pairs to discuss the steps they are taking to help the flowers grow. Tips/Reminders: Students might be familiar with the basic content of the app because of life experiences . The app could be useful to introduce the lesson, too. Additional Materials Needed: Pencils and science journals to chart the different steps a flower takes while growing would augment this apps effectiveness. Cost: $0.99. Compatible Device: iPad only.

States of Matter
Description: The app helps students understand the fundamental nature of matter. The property states of matter (solid, liquid, and gas) are discussed through narration and reading. Time: Students can use the app to reinforce what they are learning, taking about fifteen minutes a day depending on how the teacher feels. Accountability/Assessment: Quizzes directly follow the material. Grouping and Management: Students should interact with the app individually, but they could work in partners, as well. Tips/Reminders: The vocabulary may be difficult, so cards could be made in the original lesson to be reinforced with the app. Additional Materials Needed: Pencils and learning journals could be used to note the material and recreate the apps illustrations, but they are not required. Cost: $0.99. Compatible Devices: iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.

Standard: PS1.A: Structure and Properties of Matter Different kinds of matter exist and many of them can be either solid or liquid, depending on temperature. Matter can be described and classified by its observable properties.

Thank you!
Dont forget to check out our favorite 2nd grade apps:
* All hyperlinks lead to external websites where you can gather more information!

Language Arts
Grammaropolis News-O-Matic Shadow Puppet

Math
Measure This Splash Math 2 Telling Time HD

Science
Botanist Bert Science Experiments and Phonics Pic Collage Plants HD