Jordan Cornett

LITR 630/Mary Morgan

Apps Assignment
June 30, 2017
Apps-Written Component
App 1: TIME for Kids
The TIME for Kids app is appropriate for grades K-5 and is a free app if your classroom is
already receiving subscriptions of TIME for kids. It allows students the opportunity to read
articles online. It includes the option to have the text and audio in English or Spanish along with
videos to watch that are connected to each article. Each student in your class can have their own
username and password and teachers can assign certain articles to their class. This app aligns to
Common Core Standards:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.K.1
With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about key details in a text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.K.2
With prompting and support, identify the main topic and retell key details of a text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.K.3
With prompting and support, describe the connection between two individuals, events,
ideas, or pieces of information in a text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.K.4 With prompting and support, ask and answer questions
about unknown words in a text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.K.7 With prompting and support, describe the relationship
between illustrations and the text in which they appear (e.g., what person, place, thing, or
idea in the text an illustration depicts).
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.K.8 With prompting and support, identify the reasons an
author gives to support points in a text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.K.9 With prompting and support, identify basic similarities
in and differences between two texts on the same topic (e.g., in illustrations, descriptions,
or procedures).

The content in the app can be used to engage students in the informational standards listed above
depending on the lesson. I plan to use this app to project the articles on the Smart Board for
informational reading comprehension mini-lessons as well as have students use the app at
literacy centers.
App ILA ISTE KTS6
TIME for Kids: An app 2.2 Candidates use 1c. Use models and 6.1 Uses available
of digital TIME for Kids appropriate and varied simulations to technology to design and
magazines for students instructional explore complex plan instruction.
to read and explore. approaches, including systems and issues. 6.2 Uses available
those that develop word technology to implement
recognition, language
 comprehension, With this app instruction that facilitates
strategic knowledge, students are using student learning.
and reading-writing interactive magazine 6.3 Integrates student use
connections. articles to explore of available technology
2.3 Candidates use a science and social into instruction.
wide range of texts studies topics.
(e.g., narrative,
expository, and poetry) With the TIME for Kids
from traditional print, app the content can be
digital, and online used to plan whole group
resources. instruction by using the
articles on the app that
With this app students students can refer to later
have to opportunity to when working at an
increase reading independent center.
comprehension with
links that include
definitions to unknown
words and videos (ILA
2.2). Students are also
exposed to a digital
version of the
informational print
magazine that they use
weekly (ILA 2.3).

App 2: Handwriting Without Tears Wet-Dry-Try

This handwriting app is appropriate for grades K-2 and is $4.99. It is part of the
Handwriting Without Tears curriculum. This app allows students to practice correct letter
formations and provides feedback on the iPad. With this app you can create an account for each
student in your classroom, by purchasing extra student accounts, and keep track of their progress
along with errors. This app aligns to Common Core Standard:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.K.1.A Print many upper- and lowercase letters.
With this app students will be practicing the correct letter formation and will be provided
feedback. I plan to have students use this app at my handwriting station during literacy centers. I
used to have my assistant work with students at this station and record data but this app
eliminates the need for that support.
App ILA ISTE KTS6
Handwriting Without 2.2 Candidates use 1c. Use models and 6.3 Integrates student use
Tears Wet-Dry-Try: An appropriate and simulations to of available technology
app for students to varied instructional explore complex into instruction.
practice letter formation. approaches, including systems and issues.
 those that develop Students are using this app
word recognition, Students are using a individually to practice
language model, the correct correct letter formation.
comprehension, letter formation, in
strategic knowledge, order to have fluid
and reading-writing handwriting that
connections. comes with ease
when writing.
With this app
students are
practicing surface
structure skills that
will aid in developing
reading-writing
connections.

App 3: Elkonin Boxes

Elkonin boxes is an app that is $0.99 and can be used with students that need instruction
with phonemic awareness. This app allows students to practice Elkonin boxes on the iPad. They
practice hearing words and tapping the boxes as they hear the sounds just as they would using
traditional Elkonin boxes. The app has three different levels of words beginning with three
phoneme words progressing to include words with digraphs and blends based on the level the
app is set on. This app aligns to Common Core Standard:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.K.2.D Isolate and pronounce the initial, medial vowel, and
final sounds (phonemes) in three-phoneme (consonant-vowel-consonant, or CVC) words.
With Elkonin Boxes students are isolating to hear sounds in words in order to eventually write
the words. I plan to use this app for students who need instruction with this skill and only after
Elkonin Boxes have been taught.
App ILA ISTE KTS6
Elkonin Boxes: An app 2.2 Candidates use 1c. Use models and 6.3 Integrates student use
for students to practice appropriate and simulations to of available technology
segmenting phonemes on varied instructional explore complex into instruction.
the iPad. approaches, including systems and issues.
those that develop Students will be using this
word recognition, Students are using app as needed during
language this Elkonin Box literacy centers to improve
comprehension, model to practice a their phonemic awareness
strategic knowledge, phonemic awareness skills.
and reading-writing skill that also
connections. provides feedback.
 This app is helping
build students
foundational skills in
order to become
proficient readers and
writers. Without
phonemic awareness
students will not be
successful in all areas
of reading and
writing.

App 4: Letter Reflex

Letter Reflex is an app that is $3.99 and can be used with primary students. This app is
useful to students who struggle with common letter reversals. The app is designed around the
research that students who reverse letters have trouble distinguishing their left from right
therefore have trouble discriminating between b and d and/or p and q. The app includes activities
to help students distinguish their left from right in order to recognize and form their letters
correctly. Students can also be added to the app so that data can be tracked. This app aligns to
Common Core Standard:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.K.1.A Print many upper- and lowercase letters.
This app can serve as an intervention to help students who struggle with specific letter
formations. I will use this app with students who show a need for instruction in this area.
App ILA ISTE KTS6
Letter Reflex: An app to 2.2 Candidates use 1c. Use models and 6.1 Uses available
help students correct letter appropriate and simulations to technology to design and
reversals. varied instructional explore complex plan instruction.
approaches, including systems and issues. 6.2 Uses available
those that develop technology to implement
word recognition, This app uses games instruction that facilitates
language and models to teach student learning.
comprehension, students how to 6.3 Integrates student use
strategic knowledge, distinguish between of available technology
and reading-writing letters that are into instruction.
connections. commonly confused.
This app will provide me
This app will be a use with ideas of how to help
of another students who reverse letters
instructional and will also provide
approach to help opportunities for students
students correctly to practice on the iPad.
form and recognize
certain letters.
 App 5: Speech with Milo: Sequencing
Speech with Milo is a series of apps designed by a Speech-Language Pathologist. This
specific Speech with Milo app was designed to help students with sequencing and storytelling
skills. It is appropriate for students in grades K-2 and is $2.99. Even though the app was
designed with students who receive speech services in mind, it can be used in a regular
classroom setting. This app shows students scenarios and has them place picture cards in order to
work on sequencing and retelling. This app aligns to Common Core Standard:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.2 With prompting and support, retell familiar
stories, including key details.
This app helps students sequence scenarios in order to work on retelling. I plan to use this app to
supplement a retelling unit for story books focusing on how stories have a beginning, middle,
and end.
App ILA ISTE KTS6
Speech with Milo: 2.2 Candidates use 1c. Use models and 6.1 Uses available
Sequencing: An app that appropriate and simulations to technology to design and
allows students to practice varied instructional explore complex plan instruction.
sequencing stories. approaches, including systems and issues. 6.2 Uses available
those that develop technology to implement
word recognition, Students are given instruction that facilitates
language scenarios to put in student learning.
comprehension, order as an 6.3 Integrates student use
strategic knowledge, introductory step to of available technology
and reading-writing retelling. into instruction.
connections.
This app will be used to
With this app introduce retelling and
students are working gives the students an
on sequencing skills opportunity to practicing
in order to understand sequencing events as well.
the importance of
retelling events in
order.

TPACK
The iPad can provide students with opportunities to read electronic texts as well use apps
that are content related (Hutchison, Beschorner, & Schmidt-Crawford, 2012). When keeping
TPACK in mind an iPad can serve as a technology used to develop 21st century skills. However,
students will not benefit from just being supplied with an iPad. There must be intentionality in
regards to the content and pedagogy involved when using apps on the iPad. Hutchison,
Beschroner, and Schmidt-Crawford (2012) determined that iPads should be used for curricular
integration, not technological integration. Therefore the content should be considered first and
the teachers pedagogy should determine if the iPad is an effective use of helping students master
the content.

References

Hutchison, A., Beschorner, B., & Schmidt-Crawford, D. (2012) Exploring the use of the iPad in

literacy learning. The Reading Teacher, 66(1), 15-23.