Need to address the Core Standards in the area of writing? These apps will help you address the writing core standards on the elementary level. If you do not have the Core Standards app download it for free. It includes the standards for K-12 Math Traditional, Math Integrated and Language Arts. Apps are for the iPhone and Ipad.
Grades 1-5Writing: The standards are parallel but expand each year in elementary school.
Grade 1:
Write opinion pieces, in which they introduce the topic or name the book they are writing about, state an opinion, supply a reason for the opinion, and provide some sense of closure.
Write informative/explanatory texts in which they name a topic, supply some facts about the topic, and provide some sense of closure.
Grade 5:
Develop the topic with facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples related to the topic.
Provide logically ordered reasons that are supported by facts and details.
Story Patch- $2.99- Students can create a book with preloaded or added photos. To increase creativity, students can add photos using other apps, such as WordFoto below.
WordFoto $1.99 Import a photo or image to the app, which comes preloaded with words such as Happy Halloween, Happy New Year and more stock words. If you are doing a story about George Washington, you can now create your own list. This is an opportunity for students to work on their descriptive words and nouns such as: President, first, wise, and leader, courageous and creative. The app automatically creates a list for you. After your picture is loaded you now choose your word set. All of the words you have chosen layer over your picture. You can choose different styles and fine-tune the photo. Next, add the picture to StoryPatch.
Doodle Buddy Free- Great for students who like to express themselves through drawing. Pictures from Doodle Buddy can also be saved on your camera roll and be imported into Story Patch.
Strip Designer $ 2.99 Great app for older students who can make comics using their own pictures and text balloons. As in Power Point or Keynote, students can add different layouts or add photos to each page. Layouts also allow users to change the effects of a slide. If doing an autobiography or biography, users can use WordFoto to describe the person.
My Story $1.99 Students can create unlimited number of books. Books can open in iBooks, making the student feel as though he/she have created a real book. Students can add text, pictures and audio. The app will even read the story aloud, which is great for students who struggle with reading.
The goal of an educator is to inspire the student. As the new standards evolve, it is time to look at creative ways to meet them. Instead of feeling the pressure of being evaluated, try to enjoy what you are doing. Our students are smart and need to be challenged.
Vicki Windman is a special education teacher at Clarkstown High School South.
