by Kimberly Kimbell-Lopez 

In my November 2012 article, I shared ways to begin using educational apps (short for applications) to supplement your classroom instruction. I mentioned that apps can be used across a variety of different devices, including an iPad, iPhone, iTouch, Droid, tablet, or other similar device. The focus this time is on one website, Best Apps for Kids (http://bestappsforkids.com), which provides teachers with a listing of apps by grade level, by device, by rating, by category, and education area. The grade levels are broken down across preschool, elementary, middle school, and high school. There is also a section where teachers can select What’s New to review new apps that are available for download.

If you are a reading or ELA teacher, then the apps are organized around the alphabet, phonics, reading, and writing. For example, one available reading option is the Brush of Truth. If you want to learn more about the app, then you can click on the full review option where the site provides an overall rating along with ratings for quality, education, entertainment, value, and whether the app is child-friendly. These ratings are further described so that teachers can get a clear idea of what is entailed with the app.

From http://bestappsforkids.com/2012/12/brush-of-truth-2/

The site also runs a Free App Friday where numerous apps are available for free downloads. The apps range from educational to fun and games to books as well as art, music, and creativity. For example, the Free App Friday for May 17 included eight educational apps focused on either math, reading, and music. For teachers just beginning to venture into the world of apps, Best Apps for Kids can be a great place to locate apps for use in their classrooms!

Kimberly Kimbell-Lopez, Ed.D., is the Hubberd H. & Velma Horton Boucher Endowed Professor in the Department of Curriculum, Instruction, and Leadership in the College of Education at Louisiana Tech University.