Must Have Apps for My Classroom

I have many emails from teachers that are just starting to use iPads in their classrooms about what apps I would recommend.  I have to admit that the apps I loved 3 years ago are the pretty much the same ones I would recommend today.  I do need to stress that these apps alone without teacher direction and curriculum goals will not magically improve your test scores or your students writing levels.  There is a lot of thought in the way that I incorporate technology into my classroom.  My favourite apps aren't button pushing apps that help students memorize math facts or sight words.  These are apps that if used properly show student thinking.  They are apps that make assessing students knowledge and thinking very apparent.  These are apps that allow my students freedom and creativity to show what they know.

So my disclaimer is that these are my favourite apps for my classroom.  A classroom that offers a lot of choice and freedom to my students.  A classroom that is noisy, messy and full of life.  This may not be your kind of classroom.  These may not be your kind of apps.

My Top Pics Are:

Book Creator Free & $5.79	Explain Everything $3.49	Geoboard Free	Skitch Free
Kidblog Free	iMovie $5.79	Drawing Pad $2.29	Draw & Tell HD $2.49
PicCollage Free	Green Screen $3.49	Popplet/Popplet Lite Free/5.79

Geometry iPad Activities

As I am wrapping up my geometry unit, I wanted to share some of my favourite activities I created for my kids to show their thinking.  When I told them that we were starting a new unit next week they were upset because they had so much fun learning and showing their thinking during this unit.  I hope you can find some of the following activities useful and fun!

Upload this task card here.

Download here

Here is an example of one of my student's riddles:

Download the task card here

If you would like to see more student examples, check out our Padlet below:

Created with Padlet

If you are interested in more activities, download my free iTunesU course on 3D Geometry here.