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Homeschool parents love their choice for many reasons, including the ability to choose how and when children learn. Because homeschoolers have more time and can focus on the individual needs, homeschool children are often ahead of the curve academically. Homeschoolers blaze trails in the world of integrating new methods and ideas for teaching children. This is especially true with technology.
As homeschoolers, we incorporated online learning and used the best educational apps before they become trendy. It’s important for us to stay with and ahead of the trends, gleaning from the best. And using educational apps is one of the bandwagons we should embrace. Technology in education is here to stay.
Here are the best educational apps that unlock learning and fun for elementary homeschoolers.
Language Arts Apps
If you want to create readers and writers who love the worlds that the written word open, download David Wiesner’s Spot from the iTunes Store.
This app won everything from a Parent’s Gold Choice Award to a Teacher’s with Apps Top Pick. Spot allows children of all ages to explore a variety of worlds and levels based on their own home. Players can create their own stories or revel in others in clever places like Lower Rügg, where dust bunnies dwell, or watch cat parades in Katzaluna. Check out this video to learn more about how Spot can enable your dreamer to enjoy writing stories.
As a child, I loved “choose your own adventure” books that let me command the outcome of my literary journey. I would have loved Loose Strands, an interactive novel app about Roland that allows the reader to control what he does, keep him out of danger, and see the outcomes of his choices. It’s no surprise that this adventure app received 4 ½ stars from USA Today!
Math Apps
Learning math facts in third grade can be a challenge that empties the “math love tank” for your child. Enter Sushi Monster Math by Scholastic. It presents your child with a math problem, and various answers appear on a plate in the form of sushi rolls. You must feed the “sushi monster” the correct answer. It becomes progressively harder to feed the monster and keep him satisfied as your learner moves from level to level. This app works well for learning addition and multiplication facts and provides a fun challenge for students.
Counting Caterpillars brings the cuteness factor and is a fun way for children to learn counting. Colorful visuals including butterflies and caterpillars keep kids visually engaged in the game as they work to count and catch different insects. If your little one loves mazes and puzzles, try Marble Math Junior. Each player earns marbles for completing math problems and must work their way through a maze lined with more “obstacles.”
Science Apps
Science comes to life through discovery and experimentation! Engage your budding biologists with Spring Bay Studios iBiodome-Wetland App. With Professor Bio as their guide, your elementary scientist will explore habitats, species, ecosystems and food chains. This terrific scientific app won a Smart Media Award for its ability to “help students visualize producers and consumers and understand predator and prey relationships.”
Sports lovers will marvel at the My Incredible Body app. This anatomy app helps you explore parts of the body, including muscles, organs and bones, and shows how the body works, and how to keep it healthy. The visuals are stunning and include 3D models. What kid wouldn’t love seeing a 3D version of how the intestines digest food?
When it comes to elementary homeschool, there truly is always an app for that! And when computers involve learning instead of just fun and games, it’s a win-win for everyone.
