Mathematics Apps

I have categorised the apps into different strands - I have Basic Facts - this is where there are apps that will test the speed, recall and accuracy of their basic facts knowledge (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division).
Dot to Dot is a very basic game of ordering numbers (sequencing)
Times Tables allows children to select which times table they would like to study - they can view, write, listen then test.
Math Drills Lite lets children test their skills on basic facts
Roll it is like the game Yahtzee - they can have multiple players
Brain Booster tests skills on basic facts
Basic Math tests skill on specific operations
Alien Equation is where the children have to arrange the operations tiles to make the equation true.  The sound function on this will drive you nuts, so make sure they turn the sound off!
Brain Thaw multi-leveled, using multiples (or factors) of numbers

The second mathematics folder that I have is called Geometry.  These allow the children to explore the different functions and skills of Geometry as it can quite often get overlooked or rushed.  This can be incorporated into the maintenance part of your maths programme.
Keep Balance, Geometry: Volume of Solids Lite, Tangram, GeoSudoku, Geometry Test

The third folder is called Maths - this is where I have put anything else related to the subject - there's fractions and decimals, time, ordering numbers and algebra.
Number line, Pearl Diver, Fraction Factory, Just Fraction, Algebra Touch, Clock Master

I change these around from time to time, and add new apps as needed.  You can't expect the children to use the same ones all year round (although there will be the odd one that they will love).  As I progress on this journey, I add relevant apps to complement what I am teaching in the classroom.

PPP's

PPP's stands for Pupil Progress Presentations.  My class were very keen on the idea of putting the iPods to the test - the children recorded themselves (and each other) displaying PE skills, reading fluency, mathematical problem solving, along with anything else that was of value to show their parents when they were sharing their learning.  The children were able to use the iMovie app on the iPods which allowed them to edit and publish.  They also used the voice recorder to read their writing and turn it into a podcast.  This is an excellent tool to use for those children who are not keen publishers or skilled typists.  What is it that we really want to achieve?  I believe that their writing should be shared orally so that I can hear the expression, intonation and fluency.  There should be a balance in publishing work for the classroom environment (for other children to read) and orally presenting work for other children to listen to.  Many children uploaded these movies and podcasts to their digital portfolio.

Theme Week - Robots

We have just finished our theme week based on Robots.  I found a really cool app called Robotmaker where the children could create their own robot.  We then took a screen shot and opened that screen shot in Label Maker, where the children could give their robot a name and label their work.  This is an activity that I did with all four classes in the team during our Robotic Rotation.  It was a fast, easy process that the children really enjoyed!

Reference Skills Apps

There are several baseline apps that have been really useful.

The World
World Facts Free - has the flags and countries of the world, as well as some baseline data about these countries.
History: Maps of World - Gives visual maps of the world and what they have been part of over time.  You can choose categories or a specific era.
Geo Walk - walk the globe and find out about famous places, animals, plants, people around the world.  Complete the quiz at the end.
Brain Pop - this doesn't give you full access to the brainpop site - instead it has a featured movie of the day with a quiz.


Animals
Dinosaurs: The American Museum - has basic facts and information about the different dinosaurs.
Dinosaurs unleashed Free! - has flash cards and a quiz about dinosaurs.
Animal Encyclopedia - basic information about the animal kingdom, groups of animals, fauna, animal names and kinds of animals
Animals 360 - a very basic app suitable for younger children.  It incorporates photos and sounds of the animals, a tour of the farm, safari and forest, a quiz and photo puzzle.

Educational Games for English

One of the biggest issues that I have faced is finding apps that are actually going to assist with the learning in the classroom in the core areas - reading, writing and mathematics.  I have found that some of the apps cross-over into all learning areas, especially the dictionary.  I have two different dictionaries on the iPods - one was a free app, the other wasn't, but is substantially better.  The one I prefer is 'Wordbook'.  It not only allows the children to find a words meaning in the dictionary, but it will also pronounce it.  This happens in a matter of seconds, so the user is not spending a long period of time trying to plow through a paper dictionary (which ultimately may not actually have the word needed) when they could be busy carrying on with what they initial task actually entailed.  I have found that with this particular app (and some other reference based apps) that you can change the filters (which is very handy).  We all know which words some children will choose to look up first!  You can choose to turn the profanity filter on, as well as the voice that they hear and the notation (accent).

So, here is the list of games that my children enjoy:
Chicktionary (a bit like the game, Boggle, but it has the letters on eggs and has a huge number of words to find.  You can also opt for a quick play option, or the longer, original game.  The first time my children played this, it took three days for them to find all the words - now some children can find all the words in twenty minutes!)
Scrabble (like the original - they can pass and play, or multiplayer wifi)
SpellDown (this lets them test their own words)
Boggle (like the original)
Word Bubble (different levels, they make words by popping the bubbles)

Taking the iPods on their own out of school adventure!

For four days in May, we take our Year 6 students to camp.  One of the activities that we like to do is something related to ICT.  In the past, we have taken digital cameras and laptops - they have taken a variety of photographs and uploaded them onto a document (we used The Printshop 2) and shared these at school on our return.  THIS year, I thought it would be great to take the iPods - we could shoot some HD video of the campers, take photos, and then use an iPod app to create a digital postcard of some description.  I found an app that would do the job called 'Lifecards'.  It was very simple to use - in fact, the parent helpers within the group were keen to have a go as well!  On completion of their card, they took a screenshot (home button and power button) and I synced their work onto my iPod laptop (The only criteria was that they had to have their name on it so they could find it later).  When we returned to school, I had over 5000 photos and short videos (and of course, 120 lifecards) for the children to use and upload to their digital portfolios, or create a new piece of work in class.  The children who were not in my class had a brilliant opportunity to use the iPods and were subsequently very enthusiastic (and I think a little envious).

The Pros & Cons app

So, today we used the 'Pros & Cons' app, which did actually have it's own pros and cons!  One of which was that the free version wasn't that great, so I had to buy the PRO version so that the children could actually complete the task.  Their task was a collaborative one, based on the recent zoo trip last week.  I wanted them to think about the pros and cons of zoos.  Some of their ideas were quite interesting (see for yourself).  The second problem I had was actually getting the information off the iPods.  The options it gave me were - send via email or upload to facebook - neither of which I was keen on doing with this age group.  So, we put our thinking caps on and decided that a screenshot would be the best option.  To do this on an iPod (or iPhone) is to hold the power button (on the top right) and press the home button (the circle one in the middle on the bottom).  Then all I had to do was plug them into my laptop and upload the image - easy peasy!  Here are some samples of the work created.  (Please excuse any spelling errors - the focus was on the information)