Free IPad Apps for the 4th Grade Classroom

Hey guys! This week I was lucky enough to get an ipad to be able to use in my classroom. I knew I was getting one 2 weeks ago, and I could barely wait to get my hands on it! My kids are also super excited! One way that I plan on using the ipad is for sponge activities. You may be interested in reading this blogpost about sponges here. I wanted to share with you a few free apps that I will be using! I hope you enjoy!

Math- 
Meteor Math - Game that includes addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
Oh No Fractions - Simple game to compare fractions. It also asks students to prove their answer by  using fraction models
Splash Math- There is a free version and a paid version of this app. I currently have the free version. Students can do practice problems in math that is aligned to 4th grade standards. Includes decimals, geometry, fractions, measurement, etc.
Pearl Diver- Practices number lines. Starts easy (0-10), but increases in difficulty.
Motion Math: Wings- Multiplication and estimation

Science- 
Planets - Students can explore our solar system with this app. Gives 3-D images of all the planets and information. Students can also look at constellations.
Science 360 - Science videos students can watch. You may want to view these videos, because some may be inappropriate for some age groups.

Social Studies- 
Stack the States - There is a paid and free version on this app. Trivia game for students to learn information about the states.

ABCya.com

Hey guys! Here is a really neat website I just discovered! It's abcya.com. I'm still browsing through the site to see what all it offers, but so far I have been really impressed. When you go to the website it looks like this...

You can choose the grade that you want to look at and it gives you language, numeral, extra, holiday, and fun games to play appropriate to that grade. I already have a website that my students use to play Math, Science, and S.S. games on if they finish an assignment early (learninginfourth.blogspot.com), but I am definitely adding this to the list! Another thing I use this site for is low students. I have some students who are still trying to master second grade skills and so I can have them practice a skill like place value on their level. I hope you enjoy! 

Sponge Activties

As promised I have finally taken a picture of my sponge activities containers for your viewing pleasure! Sponge activities are academic, fun activities that students can do when they finish an assignment early. I have a basket for Math and also a basket for Science/SS. ( I interchange the label on Science and SS depending on what is being taught that day.) I do this to help extend my lesson and so the early finishers always have something to do when they are done. This allows me time to pull students to the back and work with them in a small group on the assignment if they don't understand it. This is the first year I have tried this approach and I have loved it! I also use the blog as a sponge activity using the tabs at the top labeled for the students. Included in the sponge baskets are self checking worksheet, matching games, and flash cards. In the middle you will see the AR books that are relating to the things we are currently studying. I had an earlier blog post about those and you can view it here. My students ask me why I call them "Sponge Activities" and I tell them that a sponge soaks up water, just like sponge activities soak up extra class time.

Ok now for how I decorated the basket. SUPER SIMPLE! Black milk crate from wal-mart, polka dot ribbon from wal-mart, and polka dot signs from The Schoolbox. (I have a tiny obsession with polka-dots if you have not noticed. I love them!) I weaved the ribbon through the holes of the crate and hot glued the ends down on the inside. Laminate the sign and write a title. Done... and you have a super cute crate!

I hope you found this helpful!

Using AR books to help with Science & SS

At Oak Grove we are big on Accelerated Reader. AR is a program where students read a book, take a test on the book, and earn points based on how well they did on the test. It's suppose to help students with fluency and also help give them a drive to read. Being as I teach Math, Science, and Social Studies I wanted a way for my students to read AR books while still working on the skills they are learning in my room. My solution: I get AR books based on what we are learning in the class! I have a basket labeled SS/Science Sponges which includes games and books for students to play or read when they finish with an assignment. Last week we were talking about erosion and landforms in Science so I had books on all kinds of landforms and erosion so that the students could read and test on it. Talk about killing two birds with one stone! Not only do they get to earn AR points, but they are reading about the things we are learning in the class! I have to give props to the library staff here at The Grove! They are fantastically helpful when I need books on certain topics. They are always more than willing to help when I let them know what topics I will be needing the next week! Maybe you can use this in your classroom. If you need something for early finishers to do while the other students work this is a great way to continue their learning experience without any wasted time!

Matching Games

I've mentioned before that I hate wasted time during the school day, but I also don't want to just give assignment after assignment to my students to complete! I have been using what I call "Sponge Activities" during down time to give students "free time" while they are still learning. These sponge activities are aligned with what we are learning at that time. So the games change often. One sponge activity has quickly taken the role of favorite game in my classroom! It's matching games. I recently made a matching game for relating fractions to decimals. I printed the cards on colored card stock, laminated, and then put them in baggies. Not only are the becoming more and more familiar with what fraction and decimal go together, but they are LOVING it. Isn't that the point?! Here are a few pictures of my kids playing matching games. Here is the link to the matching game they are playing.