SAS Curriculum Pathways Teacher Edition

SAS Curriculum Pathways Teacher Edition

SAS Curriculum Pathways is a web address with a one stop shop for teachers to find resources for ELA, math, science, social studies and Spanish from elementary to high school.  Once the teacher sets up an account they have access to everything.  The teacher will search by choosing a subject such as ELA.  Then they can break it down even further into categories such as reading skills to media skills.  They can also choose the type such as an interactive tool where the students read and the app records them or web only lessons.  The teacher can also break it down into the level such as ES (elementary), MS (middle) or HS (high).  The teacher can add the different apps they choose to their favorites list.  Once the teacher goes to the app they are asked to set up their class, when they click on set up a class they are asked to acknowledge that they have gave each parent the terms and conditions and that they have signed it and agreed to them.  You also have to keep the terms and conditions on file in case SAS ever needs them for anything.

One of the apps on there is called SAS Reading Records.  This app is suited for all students from students that are below, on, and above their levels and also for ELL.  Once the teacher has added students they are able to give the students their assignments.  The teacher can create their own reading or they can choose from the library.  The library has reading material listed by the Lexile Measure level.  This is the students reading level based on their ability not their grade level.  The lower the number the easier the reading level the higher the number the more difficult the reading level.  The teacher can also choose either English or Spanish for the reading material.  Each reading assignment has quiz options and also the type of reading it is.  Once the student selects the title the material to be read appears on the screen for the student to read out loud to be recorded.  The students then complete the multiple-choice questions, open-ended questions (if there are any) and they also do the retell.        

This would be a really great website for teachers since they are able to reach all subject areas and grade levels. 

https://www.sascurriculumpathways.com/portal/

Splash Math

Splash Math

Splash Math is an app offered on Chromebook, iPads, PCs, and laptops.  It provides comprehensive coverage of math curriculum with over 300 skills for grades K-5.  It offers self paced math practices, unlimited math worksheets and problems that include grades K-5.  The games offer the students virtual rewards.  The students are given an explanation when they give a wrong answer and they are also given a scratchpad to write work down.  There are 16 topics covered ranging from addition to decimals.  The teacher, parent or school administrator sets up the account and can manage all classrooms from the one account.  At first the person setting up the account is asked to enter the name of the classroom, the grade level and to add the students.  After they have set up the account and entered the students they are asked if they want to download the students login sheets so they may access it any place.  The sheet for the students has their name, the web address, their username and their password.  The graphics on the application are great and very engaging for the students.     

Splash Math gives you a free 30 day trial period.  After the 30 days if you choose to keep using the app you can do the Classroom Edition Standard which allows students to practice on a computer all skills in any 1 grade for $4 per student per year.  The other option is Classroom Edition Premium which allows students to practice on computers or iPads all skills in all 6 grade levels for $7 per student per year.  With both the Standard and the Premium the grade levels offered are from Kindergarten to 5th grade the only difference is that with the Premium students have access to all grade levels.  Other features that come included with the Standard and Premium is explanation for wrong answers, Common Core alignment, personalized and self paced practices, weekly email summary, class progress summary dashboard, skill-wise performance report, student-wise performance report, voice reading of questions, unlimited access to creating classes, roster management, send weekly reports to parents, student avatars, coins and game shop, jungle game, aquarium game, login and password for each student, email support with a response time of 2 days with the Standard and email support with a response time of 24 hours with the Premium.

This would be a good app for a school to purchase for all their students at the beginning of the school year.  If a school had 6 teachers in each grade level K-5 and each class had 25 students that would give the school 900 students.  That would be an expense of $3600.00 per year.  Even if the school didn’t pay for this for the students only $4 per student is not too much to ask parents to pay.  This would give students to extra practice in their math skills at school and also at home.    

https://www.splashmath.com/apps 

BuzzMath

BuzzMath is an application that can be used on the desktop, iPad or Chromebook and is free with the option to upgrade to a premium package at $20 for one month, $40 for three months or a special offer of $40 for one year,.  The app is for students, teachers and parents.  Students can go there and practice with the different activities.  Parents can go on there and set up an account for their child or children.  Teachers can go there and set up an account for all their students.  The app reviews Common Core math for grades 6-8 and NCTM for grades 6-8 also.  The app contains high-quality problems with immediate detailed feedback.  Teachers are given detailed results of student progress that will allow them to guide students learning.  The app is more centered towards the student but has the flexibility to be used by the teacher for introduction or review topics. 

            The teacher is able to create accounts for their students.  Once the teacher creates an account the teacher is asked for their classes and number of students in their class.  The teacher will then get a PDF of the activation codes listed by class.  Once students get their code they only have to use it one time and then each time after that they will just log in with their user name and password. The teacher is able to give assignments to entire classes or just certain students.  Once students log on they will be given a prompt that they have assignments that need to be completed and they can go into them and complete them.  Once they have completed one assignment if they have another they will be directed to that assignment to complete.  When students complete a set number of activities within a topic special missions will be unlocked which relate to math history that challenges students to help mathematicians recover lost knowledge.  Students also have access to BuzzLab that connects the theme of the missions to the storyline and motivates the accrual of gold stars.

            BuzzMath has activities and missions.  Activities on average are 10 pages of practice questions covering a particular concept to help students improve their skills.  They are varied from direct practice to interactive components.  Students must complete the activities with 100% accuracy to unlock missions.  Missions are more challenging problem solving activities that link students to math history and to the BuzzMath storyline.  Students must find solutions on each page in order to move to the next page.  Each mission features a famous mathematician in a fictional storyline that is integrated with mathematical history.  Upon completion of a mission, students collect an object that will help restore lost mathematical knowledge and ultimately the beauty and architecture of BuzzCity.

            Students are able to monitor their progress on their home page by viewing their gold stars total.  Questions are given to students in many different ways but limited multiple choice questions are given.  Students are not given a time limit to complete their activities.  Teachers are able to view student’s reports which include accuracy, completion and the time spent on activities.

https://www.buzzmath.com 

Barefoot World Atlas

Barefoot World Atlas

This app consists of a 3D globe at your students fingertips. Students have the ability to explore the different continents and oceans. They can go from country to country learning about different environments and cultures. 

The opportunities are endless with the Barefoot World Atlas app. With this mulit-language app, students have the freedom to explore their world. There are many facts about each country that students can learn as they travel across the globe through the app. There are hundreds of videos and pictures of wildlife, famous landmarks, and buildings that students can explore and learn about. This app would be a great tool in the geography class as a fun way for students to learn about the world they are living in. 

Price: $4.99

Link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/barefoot-world-atlas/id489221652?mt=8

Math Champ Challenge

Math Champ Challenge

This app is designed for students in grades 4-7 and is aligned with the mathematical Common Core State Standards. It was made to help strengthen understanding of these standards through over 2,500 questions that are based off the standards. At the end of an activity it gives the student instant feedback and suggestions for more practice. The student has the choice of skills to practice and level of difficulty.

There are two different components to this app which are skill builder and game center. In skill builder students are able to practice their math skills in a non-game version. This takes the pressure off of the activities and allows students to focus strictly on improving their skills. They are able to select specific skills and work through them at their own pace. The game center allows students to compete with other students from all over the world through the app. This part of the app is more fast paced and allows students to use their skills to gain badges as rewards. Each game is different and contains questions covering different standards. 

Price: $2.99

Link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/math-champ-challenge-school/id653218533?mt=8

Reading Raven

Reading Raven is an app that assists students in helping build their reading skills. This app allows students learn to read by using step by step activities that are designed to build a solid foundation for beginning readers. Reading Raven is customizable for each student based on age and reading level. It has self-paced games and activities that make the learning to read process fun for students of all ages. It covers the skills of reading, writing, phonics, letters, spelling, and vocabulary through five extensive lessons with hundreds of individual activities. 

Reading Raven is suggested for ages 3-7. It is made to help students learn to read and strengthen early reading skills. Starting at age three it has self-paced activities from letter matching, to letter tracing and sounds, then working up to word matching. At the suggested age of four but varrying depending on reading level, the lessons go from vocabulary, to word beginnings, to word building, and ending with word spotting. After mastery of those skills the app then focuses on skills like reading aloud, word tracing, and word groups. 

Price: $2.99

Link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/reading-raven/id508474629?mt=8

Bookabi

Bookabi allows students to create their own stories in a fun way rather than just writing in a journal and drawing pictures. This is a way for students to use their imagination through the use of technology. The app has everything the students needs to create a story as in characters, backgrounds, stickers and objects. 

Students can use their imagination to create a story using characters provided or pictures of their own that are able to move, pose, or rotate. They can add text bubble so their characters can come alive with words. They can also record themselves and listen to their audio on each page. Bookabi allows students stories to come alive and gives them the option to be able to save and share their creations. This app enhances students reading and writing skills as well as their creativity and imagination.

Price: FREE

Link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bookabi/id494391239?mt=8

My Word Wall

My Word Wall

My word wall is an app created for beginning readers to practice early reading and writing skills. This app helps young readers through numerous games and activities that are engaging and fun for the students. It assists beginning readers learn to read and write by enabling thiem see, hear, say, and write a variety of words. Word Wall caters to students learning by having different activities that recognize different ages, reading levels, and learning styles. It also provides learning opportunities for ESL students and students with special needs to help improve or develop their reading and writing skills as well. 

This app allows students to see words with visual cues as in a picture to start making the connection with picture and word. Students also have the opportunity to hear the word said and phonetically sounded out. Students are also prompted to say the words to strengthen reading skills. Lastly, students are to write words to practice their writing skills. These skills are practiced through games and activities as in a matching game or jigsaw puzzle. 

Price: $1.99 

Link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/my-word-wall/id437421121?mt=8

Word Joust K-5

Word Joust K-5:

This version is specifically designed for elementary school students (K-5th grade) with grade-appropriate words. With Word Joust for K-5, knaves (i.e., you) will master the 300 most popular words using in elementary school reading materials. Delivered as mini word games set on a medieval battle field, Word Joust makes learning new words easy and fun. This app includes five active games that involve spelling and memory involving the vocabulary. You can also track the progress of the students and how they are moving through with their words. This app is free and is available on iOS 4.0 and later.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/word-joust-for-k-5/id461456879?mt=8

5 Dice: Order of Operations Game

5 Dice: Order of Operations Game

This app is designed for upper elementary and middle school math students. It can be used as single or multiplayer, and is designed to help the students learn the order of operations in a more fun way. The game is encouraging the students to use higher order of thinking to be able to solve the equation after they are given the answer. The best part of this app is that the teachers can receive immediate feedback of their student’s progress through email. It also includes printable games sheets that can be worked into lesson plans. This app is free and requires iOS 4.3 or later. 

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/5-dice-order-operations-game/id572774867?mt=8