Tech Thursday {Free Apps for Coding}

Technology Thursday is a weekly linky dedicated to all things technology related. Check out our Tech Thursday page for details on how to link up!

This week I am going to share a little bit about 5 great apps that you can use to code with your students. Coding is a huge trend right now. A statistic I heard at a technology conference recently took me by surprise. "90% of our students in grades k-6 right now will hold a job that does not even exist today." WOW. Think about that for a minute. Our world is changing so quickly. Skills like coding, might not be "crucial" to their learning right now, but they are crucial to their future. Isn't that our job as teachers, preparing our students for the future?

All five of these apps are FREE in the Apple Store. If you are an android version, a few of them support that system too, so be sure to check your android store or google play store.

Hopscotch HD. This app was inspired by MIT's app Scratch. It uses a drag and drop block method for the coding process. As students progress with their coding abilities, they can even add custom events that include the tilt of the device or even shaking it! My students LOVE this app!

Cargo-Bot. This app is all about the robots! It engages students with a puzzle where they have to teach a robot to move crates. There are 36 levels included so students definitely get some great enjoyment out of it. Best part, students can record their solutions and share with others!

Kodable. This app is for our younger students! Perfect for ages 5+. It also works with a drag/drop block method for students to build their code in a script. Their goal is to help the Fuzz family navigate through Technomazes.

Robot Football. Engage your sporty kids with this fun football themed coding app. Students code the plays and watch their team block, pass, intercept and even steal the ball all against another player. Super easy to use and your students will love it.

Run Marco. Definitely my favorite app! It uses google blocky (same as code.org) as students work to help Marco discover himself. New levels will be added in February 2016! It has a great story line to it and my students love the graphics.

I hope some of these apps will kickstart or enhance your awesome coding activities in your classroom! Coding will help prepare them for possible jobs they might have in the future!

Link up below with your own Website or App recommendations, Tech Tips, Tutorials, or anything else tech-related! We can't wait to learn from you!

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Top 5 Multiplication Apps {Tech Thursday}

Technology Thursday is a weekly linky dedicated to all things technology related. Check out our Tech Thursday page for details on how to link up! Today I am going to share my 5 go-to apps for practicing multiplication facts.

Monster Math

My first app is Monster Math. The whole game is built around a story of a monster trying to get his friend back. Students are walked through various stages to find the monster's friend. Teachers can edit the number ranges, operation and so much more! 

Times Tables Quiz

Up next is Times Tables Quiz. This is your basic multiplication drill app. I love that the numbers are easy to see, the score changes in the upper right corner (the more quickly they go the higher their points) and the app itself is easy for students to maneuver.

Times Tables Game

My next go-to app is Times Tables Game. This app has a fun"ninja" style and my students love it! Teachers have the ability to set the range of numbers for the multiplication problems. There is also a timer, so if students are taking too long- it times them out and their turn is over.

Math Monsters Bingo

The next app is definitely a student FAVORITE. it is called Math Monsters Bingo. Students are given a multiplication problem at the top of their screen and they click the product at the bottom. A little monster marker shows up! Their goal is to get 5 in a row. For each product, there are numerous places a student could pick so they need to not only know the product, but be strategic in choosing one that will help them get to 5 in a row. 

Multiplication Flash Cards Match

The last app is called Multiplication Flash Cards Match. Students play a memory style match game with the flashcards! One flashcard will show the number sentence and the other shows the product. The levels keep changing as students progress through the game. As they make a match the flashcards "explode" into little bits of confetti! So much fun!! 

I hope that these five apps will be helpful in your classroom! I know that my students always need a bit of practice with their math facts. Using new apps helps to keep their interest up and each app offers a different challenge! Do you have any go-to math apps for multiplication?

Link up below with your own Website or App recommendations, Tech Tips, Tutorials, or anything else tech-related! We can't wait to learn from you!

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Favorite Things Linky: Apps for a Flipped Classroom

This month, I want to share a few of my favorite apps to use in a flipped classroom! These are my go to apps to use with a whole classroom set of devices or with just a few devices! 

Here is a super quick breakdown of how I use these apps in my classroom! 

1. Plickers: This app is a quick assessment tool. Students have a card that they can turn to show A/B/C/D and it is linked to their name on your device. You ask a question (you can even project it if you want), your students show their card, and you scan your classroom. Their name lights up green if they got it right and red if they got it wrong! So easy!!

2. Chirp: This is a great app to use if you need to send out documents or photos out to your student devices. You simply hit the chirp button (with your sound on and your student device sound on) and BOOM, it is on their device! So handy!!

3. Nearpod: This app is one of my favorites. You can create a lesson in PowerPoint, save as JPEGs and upload as Nearpod slides. The Nearpod presentation that you create is interactive so students can write/draw on the slides. You can also use it as an assessment tool and gather live data. So perfect!!

I can't wait to see what your three favorite... anythings... are this week! Link up with the linky below! 

The Favorite Things Linky is a great way to share your 3 favorite anythings! Grab the template and button and link up below! If this is your first time linking up, check out our Favorite Things page for more details!

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