ck vs. k vs.c in Spelling!

      Last week, we talked about how the /k/ sound can be made by c, k, or ck.  We had learned previously that ck happens at the end of words or syllables.

• We learned that ck is only used at the end after a short vowel (like in duck, back, sick).  
• We learned that k is not used after a short vowel.
• We learned that c does not usually end words.

Little Writer App

App Name: Little Writer

Devices: iPhone, iPad

Cost: $0.99

Description:  This has students practice writing letters, numbers, shapes, and words. I like how its customizable, so you can add your own pictures and words. 

Skills: Letter Writing (upper and lower), Letter ID / Sound ID, and Word Building. Also used for Number Writing, Number Recognition, and Shapes.

Subjects: Language Arts, Math

Stars (x/5): 5

Sight Words: Kids Learn App

App Name: Sight Words: Kids Learn

Devices: iPad, iPhone

Cost: Free, $8.99 (download the free version, then upgrade)

Description:  Students identify sight words called out, practice writing sight words, and use sight words to build sentences. The free version give access to 25 words, while the paid version gives access to 300 sight words. I'm not sure if its worth $8.99 when there are so many other Sight Word apps out there for less.

Skills: Sight Word Recognition, Spelling Sight Words Practice, Writing Sight Words

Stars (x/5): 5 for Free, 2 for Paid (cause of cost vs what your can get elsewhere).

Sight Words Games & Flashcards App

App Name: Sight Words Games & Flashcards App

Devices: iPhone, iPad, Google Play, Amazon

Cost: Free (iPhone, iPad, Google Play, Amazon), $1.99 (iPhone, iPad, Google Play, Amazon)

        (To purchase for iPhone/iPad, download the free version, then upgrade.)

Description: Students do different activities with sight words. Students choose sight words that are announced, or build sight words, or find matching pairs, or can review sight words with flash cards. The sight words in this app go up to 3rd grade. There's the option to have multiple student accounts with this. 

Skills: Sight Word Recognition, Spelling Sight Words Practice

Stars (x/5): 5 for Free, 5 for Paid

Moose Math App

App Name: Moose Math

Devices: iPhone, iPad, Google Play, Amazon

Cost: Free (iPhone, iPad, Google Play, Amazon)

Description: Moose Math engages kids in a mathematical adventure and teaches counting, addition, subtraction, sorting, geometry and more. While playing 5 multi-level activities in the Moose Juice Store, Puck’s Pet Shop and Lost & Found, kids can earn rewards to help build their own city and decorate buildings. This app, you can create seperate accounts for each child in your house! 

Skills: Counting, Adding, Subtracting, Sorting, Geometry / Shapes

Stars (x/5): 5

Raz Kids App

App Name: Raz Kids

Devices: iPad, iPhone, Google Play, Amazon

Cost: Free (iPad, iPhone, Google Play, Amazon)

Description: With our class license, students have access to 100s of books. I assign them to their independent level, meaning they have access to all the books at their level and below. Students progress as they read through books. Students can listen to books, read books, record themselves reading, and answer comprehension questions after reading a story. Students earn points they can use to create their own avatar. If students finish their time for the week on Lexia, then they may choose between Lexia and Raz-Kids. The books I use for Guided Reading are available on Raz-Kids. In the Library portion, there's the option for even more books and poems! Contact me for our class access code! 

Skills: Reading, Letter ID/Sounds (with Letter Books), Comprehension, Fluency (recording self reading).

Stars (x/5): 5

Mr. Mott's App Reviews / Recommendations

     Check out this post on the Home School Connection Blog for apps that we use (or I recommend) in the classroom.  Each app will also be posted to the Home School Connections Blog.  Just click on the Apps, LA Apps, or Math Apps tags!

Reading Strategies - Ask!

“Ask” Reading Strategy - These strategies we learn to help us decode words.  Eventually, we want each student to do this without prompting, but to start out they need some guidance :).

• Does it look right?
• If a student reads this sentence: Over the flowers.  As “Over the grass.”  I would ask them - “Does that look right?  You said ‘grass,’ but that word starts with the letter f or the /f/ sound.”

• Does it sound right?
• If a student reads this sentence: Who wants to play with me?.  As “Who want to play with me?”.”  I would ask them - “Does that sound right?  You said “want,” but it sounded funny or weird.  Do we talk like that?”

• Does it make sense?
• If a student reads this sentence: No, the elephant cannot go in.  As “No, the elephant can go in.”  I would ask them - “Does that make sense?  You said ‘no, but then you said the elephant can go in the pool?’”