It's now commonly acknowledged that even the best students experience significant "summer slide" after being out of school for more than two months every summer. It takes months - yes, months - for students to regain lost ground. Luckily, it's easy and fun to hang onto all that growth, especially with the use of websites and apps. In addition, regular trips to the library, reading with your child, working in workbooks, independent writing (journals, postcards, stories, letters)...all these help.
Check out the apps and websites below!
MATH APPS:
These apps are all available at the iPad app store, and many are also available for other tablets/PCs. Most are for abilities ranging from Kindergarten through at least 6th grade. They are free unless otherwise noted. Let your child decide which s/he likes best!
Khan Academy is highly acclaimed; it isn't a game but rather spoken and illustrated instruction sessions, accompanied by practice sessions. You can do either or both. The program will keep statistics on how you're doing, and you can earn badges that show your achievement.
Interactive Telling Time Lite is childish but fun.
Playful Minds has a broad variety of engaging math games.
Arithmetrix is a split-screen competition where two students compete to get the right answer first. Hard rock music.
Drill Math Word Problems has a Common-Core type approach - lots of word problems at different levels. It's called "Banana Math - free version" once you download it.
Chicken Coop Fractions challenges older students to convert fractions to decimals, with a goofy hen who aims her eggs at the right answer.
Dreambox - math practice, has a free home trial feature
MobyMax - there is a free version; also has English/Language Arts practice
Buzz Math - for middle school students: $10 for 1 month, $60/yr for individuals
Edupad.com - grades 3-5 math, ELA, science; cost
Sushi Monster, Motion Math - math apps, for practicing addition/multiplication
Oh No Fractions - fraction math
**Apparently there are some apps that have inappropriate pop-up ads - the ones listed here appear to be on the up-and-up.
MATH WEBSITES:
www.lumpty.com
www.ixl.com: free for the 1st 20 problems a day; otherwise, $9.95/month
www.mathisfun.com
www.maths-games.org (yes, maths) - math game clearinghouse
mathplayground.com - math game clearinghouse
ENGLISH/READING APPS AND WEBSITES:
- MobyMax
- EduPad
- Khan Academy
Some of the following have small costs associated with them, but may be just what your child needs to beef up a specific skill this summer!
- Word Magic, grades K - 2, making words, sounding them out, $.99
- iSortWords - grades, K - 2, children sort words into word families
- iWriteWords - grades K - 2, handwriting practice, lite version is $2.99
- Learn to Read, grades K - 2, sight word practice
- Phonics: Fun on Farm - grades K - 2
- WordGirl Superhero Training - many reading/word games, K - 6
- QuestionBuilder - grades K - 5, works on inferencing, abstract thinking, has audio for those who need auditory processing practice - great app! $5.99
- MiniMod Reading for Details, grades 2 - 6, $3.99 - very helpful skill
- Aesop's Quest, grades 2 - 6 - reading comprehension, $.99
- The Opposites - grades 3 - 12, $2.99
- Same Meaning Magic, grades 2 - 6, $.99
- Same Sound Spellbound, grades 2 - 6, $.99
GREAT EDUCATIONAL WEBSITES WHERE STUDENTS CAN LEARN ABOUT A BROAD VARIETY OF TOPICS:
- PBS
- Scholastic
- National Geographic
- Khan Academy
FUN SITES FOR STUDENTS TO TRY OUT CREATING PRESENTATIONS:
- Voki
- Prezi
- Explain Everything
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