Since our first session, I have come across many more exciting apps. Today, I just want to share some of my favorites (and some of these have already become favorites with elementary students too!).
At the top of my list is the application that has created the biggest stir around the library:
Don't Let the Pigeon Run This App! This is an app to create stories about children's book author and illustrator Mo Willems' famous Pigeon character. It only takes a few moments to have a story put together. You can select from given options and/or record your voice. Students keep on asking me to use my iPad during recess and lunch time to create new stories. So much fun!
Bobo Explores Light is another application for which students have shown much interest, especially our science fans (but I have not shared this with a larger audience yet). This is an interactive nonfiction book which includes text, images and amazing videos. It allows a really engaging exploration of various topics around light.
While our school has a subscription to the Tumble Book Library, access to the books through an iPad is not yet possible (but there is a test phase on-going at the moment). However, some of the books are available through the App Store. For our youngest readers, I downloaded
TumbleBooksToGo, 6 Pack, Vol. 1, which includes books by one of my favorite picture book author and illustrator, Peter Reynolds. Depending on the App Store your account is hooked up, there seem to be slight differences: the logo I have looks different from the one above. It also seems that not all versions have the "Read myself" option. You might want to check this out before buying the app.
Another fabulous interactive book for younger readers is
How Rocket Learned to Read. This is not just a beautifully narrated story about learning to read, but the book also comes with a sight word and alphabet game, which will surely be enjoyed.
Something to explore with older students, is
This Day in History app from the World Book Incorporation. This is an interactive multimedia calendar (with links to text and image sources for additional information) which highlights selected historic events and people of the day. Make sure, you are downloading the correct version (see the link above) to get all the fantastic media for free.
I hope you discovered something of interest in this list. If you would like to see and hear about more resources, just stop by the library to have a look at the other apps I have downloaded so far - or get yourself an Advent Calendar to discover one free app each day in December!
