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

Crayola Washable Bathtub Markers

       A family recently shared with me that you can purchase Crayola Washable Bathtub markers.  (Please note you may want to read the reviews - looks like it needs to be cleaned off immediately an only used on smooth bath tubs.  I posted a link to Amazon because there's reviews and its faster for me then looking through different websites, but I'm sure you can find them in other places!)  It makes it possible for your child to write on the bathtub wall, then splash the wall to clean it off.  You could use this tool in many different ways...

• Reading and Writing Skills
• Reinforcing proper pencil grip when drawing pictures or writing
• Practice letter formation
• Say a letter name or sound, have them write it
• Write a letter, have them write it
• Writing their name
• Sight Words
• you write, they read
• you say, they write
• they write a sentence using the word
• Spelling Words (starting in January and if your child is ready for it)
• Say a CVC word like cat, dog, fun - have them tap it and spell it
• Write CVC words - have them tap it and read it
• Math
• Writing numerals
• Writing a Math sentence to go with a picture (starting around December and if your child is ready for it)
• Drawing pictures to show a given number

Email me or comment below if you have your own suggestions!

Shaving Cream Activities

      Shaving cream is a fun way to reinforce writing letters, numbers, and spelling words.  Put some shaving cream on a cookie sheet (or table, counter, etc).  Dictate what you would like your child to write.  Encourage them to make letters following the Fundations directions (Lower Case Directions, Upper Case Directions)!

 Some possible prompts...

• Let's make the letter...
• What letter starts the word?
• What letter makes this sound ____?
• Show me how to make the number ____.
• (Clap a certain number of times) - can you write the number?

i Write Words App ($, Free)

     This app I think is only available on Apple devices.  The lite version is free and is what I use in the classroom sometimes for Centers or giving certain students extra practice.  The paid version is $2.99.  Students help Mr Crab collect numbers to write letters, write numbers, or spell words.  The app comes from www.gigglelab.com.  Click here for its' iTunes description.

Here's a screen shot of what the app looks like:

Letter School App ($)

      This app costs $4.99.  The app helps students learn letter ID and sounds by showing students where to start each letter, how to make it, allow the students to practice making it, and including some type of brief song connecting the letter to its sound or pictures that begin with that letter.  This app covers lower case, upper case, and numbers to 10.  Click here to visit Letter School Apps' website.

Here's a screen shot of what the app can look like...