Exploring Math Apps

Our class has been using ipads quite a lot this school year! Lately we have been exploring different math apps on the iPads. We have been working to determine which math apps are good quality apps for first grade learning and which are not good ones for us. As part of the new Common Core state standards, students are learning to give evidence and proof for their thinking. To show our evidence proving that an app is or isn't a good one for us to use in class, our class developed a set of criteria for "good apps." We decided that good apps have the following four qualities. They must be easy to use, allow us to practice first grade math skills, check our answers, and they must be fun. After we explored a bit and developed our criteria, students worked with partners to find apps that fit the criteria. We have now been using these apps during some of our math periods to practice skills we are learning! Some of the apps we liked best (and decided were good quality) are Math Bingo, Hungry Fish, Math Puppy, Amazing Coins, AUM Addion, and Monster Squeeze (which is part of our Everyday Math program).