I have a calculator app called "MyScript Calculator". It is a free app. You use your fingers to write out math problems and it solves them for you. The only thing is that it does not recognize letters, for example: 2x+10. It will put answers in decimal form, if needed, but not in percentages. It will also work with fractions. This is an easy app for students who struggle with calculator keys. It will work a problem like: 4+6-9+2. It translates the written numbers into typed numbers and immediately gives you the solution. The main downside is that is does need to recognize your handwriting. If it cannot read it it will replace it with whatever number that most closely resembles it. You also have to be somewhat fast, if you pause too long it will solve whatever you have written. Aside from that it really is a popular app with my students.
Students use ‘Free GraCalc’ all the time to solve math problems. The calculator creates graphs from equations, works with functions, trigonometry, and unit conversions. The Algebra II teacher encourage all students to download it to their phones or iPads. It isn’t as accurate as the expensive graphing calculators because it rounds numbers and uses them in the calculations. I do not know all the different functions it will do, but it more than meets the needs of students up through Algebra II and Geometry. IXL is another math program our district uses. I like it because students compete with themselves in solving problems to earn a percent. Several times, assignments are to work ten problems, but the students will continue working problems because they want to raise their percentage. The percent correct is shown after each problem is worked.
Two students I work with like to use PopMath. It is an app to practice basic math. You choose a specific operation before starting each round: addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division. Six pairs of bubbles with numbers float on the screen, and each bubble contains a number or a math problem. The student just pops the corresponding bubbles. The description of the app says that the numbers go up to 1000 for addition and subtraction, and 20 for multiplication and division. Since my students struggle with basic addition and subtraction, and can't do multiplication or division, they have only chosen the subtraction and the addition, and have only had two digit problems. They both enjoy the app and ask to do it when given a choice of apps. It has been a fun way for them to practice basic addition and subtraction. I think the PopMath cost $1.99. There is a free version called PopMath Lite that only has addition if you want to try before you buy.
Math Quiz Game Show by Lakeshore for the iPad is a fun way to reinforce math skills as a whole class or group. It is a lot like Jeopardy you have your categories and the points below each. You can set up your categories to work on addition, subtraction division, multiplication, fractions, measurement, place value, shapes, time, money, word problems, and graphs. You pick the 4 categories you want to you. I like that you can use it for almost all grade levels and the kids love the cooperative style learning that you can use with it.
This sounds really fun! I'll have to suggest it to one of my teachers who was wanting ideas for 2-3 kiddos she would be working with as a group for math.
I have had my students use an app called Coop Fractions. Students have to convert fractions to decimals on the game. The kids like it because it is quick and they think funny. I like it because they are using math skills and don't always know it. They are more willing to participate doing this.
I have used the calculators on my Ipad in my room as well. They work great and I can keep track of them easier.
I have several students that use IXL math. The grade levels Pre-K through eighth grade are very useful and each grade level is broken down into specific areas of math: money, time, shapes, addition, etc. Triple A math is also a good computer program that features grade levels and specific areas. Students can "study" and then work on problems in that specific area. Great for working on and learning addition facts and multiplication tables.
I have a couple of my students working with an app called Turbo Math. It is awesome! It is aligned with Common Core standards and is a fun way for the students to work on the math standards. I started out with the free version, and then I bought the 1st grade pack because that is where my students are working. It is available, I think, for all the elementary grade levels. I would highly recommend it!!
This app isn’t necessarily limited to just math, but its math capabilities were how I first found out about it. It’s called Wolfram Alpha, and it cost $2.99. My Gifted teacher heard about it from one of her students and began using it to brush up on various math skills that she was going to need to use to assist her students. You can type in any equation (Calculus, Algebra, Chemistry, or just basic math too, it doesn’t matter), and it gives you a step-by-step guide for how it came to the solution (If you choose that option; It can also just give you the answer). And like I mentioned before, it’s not just limited to math. It has information for music, history, geography, weather, science… Oh my gosh, the list just goes on and on and on, and the additional resources and related information it provides in response to your queries goes on and on and on as well. Wolfram Alpha describes itself as being a “computational knowledge engine for computing answers and providing knowledge; it’s not a search engine.” Whatever it is, it’s awesome. If you don’t need it for your students, get it for yourself, haha!
There are so many free applications now for early elementary students building fluency with facts or sight words, and they feel like games. A few I've tried:
Mathmeter - solve problems to earn parts to build a rocket Eggy Math - several games, my reviewers at home especially liked the downhill skiing where you avoid obstacles and earn points by skiing into the answers
Also several that mimic manipulatives like Number Pieces- for setting up problems with base 10 blocks The Great 100's Chart Bear Venture - for color coded interactive hundreds chart
Khan Academy also has an App now that provides instruction for math concepts K-college
I teach kindergarten but I have used booksy and it reads it outloud or allows students to read it. It has different reading levels. It does have some free but then have to purchase some of them. I like it for my beginning readers.
I have a calculator app called "MyScript Calculator". It is a free app. You use your fingers to write out math problems and it solves them for you. The only thing is that it does not recognize letters, for example: 2x+10. It will put answers in decimal form, if needed, but not in percentages. It will also work with fractions. This is an easy app for students who struggle with calculator keys. It will work a problem like: 4+6-9+2. It translates the written numbers into typed numbers and immediately gives you the solution. The main downside is that is does need to recognize your handwriting. If it cannot read it it will replace it with whatever number that most closely resembles it. You also have to be somewhat fast, if you pause too long it will solve whatever you have written. Aside from that it really is a popular app with my students.
ReplyDeleteStudents use ‘Free GraCalc’ all the time to solve math problems. The calculator creates graphs from equations, works with functions, trigonometry, and unit conversions. The Algebra II teacher encourage all students to download it to their phones or iPads. It isn’t as accurate as the expensive graphing calculators because it rounds numbers and uses them in the calculations. I do not know all the different functions it will do, but it more than meets the needs of students up through Algebra II and Geometry.
ReplyDeleteIXL is another math program our district uses. I like it because students compete with themselves in solving problems to earn a percent. Several times, assignments are to work ten problems, but the students will continue working problems because they want to raise their percentage. The percent correct is shown after each problem is worked.
Two students I work with like to use PopMath. It is an app to practice basic math. You choose a specific operation before starting each round: addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division. Six pairs of bubbles with numbers float on the screen, and each bubble contains a number or a math problem. The student just pops the corresponding bubbles. The description of the app says that the numbers go up to 1000 for addition and subtraction, and 20 for multiplication and division. Since my students struggle with basic addition and subtraction, and can't do multiplication or division, they have only chosen the subtraction and the addition, and have only had two digit problems. They both enjoy the app and ask to do it when given a choice of apps. It has been a fun way for them to practice basic addition and subtraction. I think the PopMath cost $1.99. There is a free version called PopMath Lite that only has addition if you want to try before you buy.
ReplyDeleteMath Quiz Game Show by Lakeshore for the iPad is a fun way to reinforce math skills as a whole class or group. It is a lot like Jeopardy you have your categories and the points below each. You can set up your categories to work on addition, subtraction division, multiplication, fractions, measurement, place value, shapes, time, money, word problems, and graphs. You pick the 4 categories you want to you. I like that you can use it for almost all grade levels and the kids love the cooperative style learning that you can use with it.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds really fun! I'll have to suggest it to one of my teachers who was wanting ideas for 2-3 kiddos she would be working with as a group for math.
DeleteI have had my students use an app called Coop Fractions. Students have to convert fractions to decimals on the game. The kids like it because it is quick and they think funny. I like it because they are using math skills and don't always know it. They are more willing to participate doing this.
ReplyDeleteI have used the calculators on my Ipad in my room as well. They work great and I can keep track of them easier.
What a great idea! I have a few students who really need to work on converting fractions!
DeleteI have several students that use IXL math. The grade levels Pre-K through eighth grade are very useful and each grade level is broken down into specific areas of math: money, time, shapes, addition, etc. Triple A math is also a good computer program that features grade levels and specific areas. Students can "study" and then work on problems in that specific area. Great for working on and learning addition facts and multiplication tables.
ReplyDeleteI have a couple of my students working with an app called Turbo Math. It is awesome! It is aligned with Common Core standards and is a fun way for the students to work on the math standards. I started out with the free version, and then I bought the 1st grade pack because that is where my students are working. It is available, I think, for all the elementary grade levels. I would highly recommend it!!
ReplyDeleteThis app isn’t necessarily limited to just math, but its math capabilities were how I first found out about it. It’s called Wolfram Alpha, and it cost $2.99. My Gifted teacher heard about it from one of her students and began using it to brush up on various math skills that she was going to need to use to assist her students. You can type in any equation (Calculus, Algebra, Chemistry, or just basic math too, it doesn’t matter), and it gives you a step-by-step guide for how it came to the solution (If you choose that option; It can also just give you the answer). And like I mentioned before, it’s not just limited to math. It has information for music, history, geography, weather, science… Oh my gosh, the list just goes on and on and on, and the additional resources and related information it provides in response to your queries goes on and on and on as well. Wolfram Alpha describes itself as being a “computational knowledge engine for computing answers and providing knowledge; it’s not a search engine.” Whatever it is, it’s awesome. If you don’t need it for your students, get it for yourself, haha!
ReplyDeleteThere are so many free applications now for early elementary students building fluency with facts or sight words, and they feel like games. A few I've tried:
ReplyDeleteMathmeter - solve problems to earn parts to build a rocket
Eggy Math - several games, my reviewers at home especially liked the downhill skiing where you avoid obstacles and earn points by skiing into the answers
Also several that mimic manipulatives like
Number Pieces- for setting up problems with base 10 blocks
The Great 100's Chart Bear Venture - for color coded interactive hundreds chart
Khan Academy also has an App now that provides instruction for math concepts K-college
I teach kindergarten but I have used booksy and it reads it outloud or allows students to read it. It has different reading levels. It does have some free but then have to purchase some of them. I like it for my beginning readers.
ReplyDelete