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Showing posts with label app. Show all posts
Showing posts with label app. Show all posts

The Very Best Educational App in the World

If the Covid 19 pandemic taught us anything it's how valuable a tool digital resources are. However, computers, internet, cellphones, are far too overused and abused. It was honestly sad for me as a long-term educator to see how parents, having to keep kids home, were so quick to run to computers, apps and internet to educate their kids, when there are so many easy, free, hands-on teaching tools to use. I'm not talking about middle or high school students who arguably need computers to do their schoolwork. Arguably. Even, or maybe especially they, need fewer interactive games and more active learning.  I'm speaking of preschool and early elementary age kids. Most all children could do with less or no screen time and more hands-on activities. And Covid 19 was a perfect time to do that. 

I'm not faulting you parents who bought online curriculum or used computer resources. The task of homeschooling often seems daunting. But the good news is that most all of you are homeschooling every day, independent of computers or phones, without even realizing it. You teach your children valuable life skills every time you plan and prep a meal or snack together, read together, visit the doctor or library, go to the grocery store or just take a walk. Kids learn fine and gross motor skills building blocks and practical life skills playing house and communication playing dress up. 

In this blog, I've shared ways to turn your home into a tech-free school, with just simple household items and basic toys. You don't need a big house or fancy materials. You don't even need a designated room or space. I created learning centers in our homeschool when we lived in a small single wide mobile home. We didn't use TV except to play a movie once a week and the "Mister Rogers Neighborhood" ritual. 

The secret is to make every experience a learning opportunity. Not an artificial or contrived "lesson plan." You just incorporate little nugget lessons into everything you do, naturally, organically. Teachable moments are right there for the enjoying. You don't ever need a screen. 

Is it okay to use TV or computers? Of course! Do kids need to be computer savvy? Ye..es, but no fear there. They get all the screen experience they need without having to add more. I think they're hardwired to it now. Or it's something in the water source. What they need are engaged parents, monitored computer time, and online safety courses. And most of all, tons of outdoor time, free play, open-ended experiences, experiments, exploration, books, tree-climbing, sand castles, dancing, polliwogs, messes, beaches, forts in the woods and fresh air! 

And the good news? Those are all free! They don't require an app download or phone memory. They don't drain battery life! If you or your kids are screen addicted (don't be embarrassed to say, we've all been there), shut it down. Go out the door into the best app ever, called the big wide world! I guarantee you'll all feel better, breathe better, think better and have the times of your lives!  (Picture above is "school" from the inside out!)




 reservations. 

Free Printable Food Journals, Online Calorie Counters for Health, Science


To address growing children's health concerns--diabetes, nutrition, obesity, fitness and general wellness--several groups have developed health programs written at kid level. They offer free printable food journals, online fitness trackers and nutrition planning tools. Geared for elementary to high school age kids, these programs teach self-sufficiency and basic life skills related to health.

  Choose My Plate , a service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, offers kids meal planners, free online food journals, free printable nutrition trackers and other helpful resources. The site is designed for adults but has materials adapted to children, too.


  Chartwells (a school nutrition program) has an initiative called "Eat Learn Live" which provides free printable food journals and diet trackers and other health tools for kids, parents and teachers. Many schools across the U.S. partner with Chartwells and use the program in their food service program. This link explains how Eat Learn Live works in schools and how it can be adapted for home use.


  Chartwells offers nutrition data personalized to specific school breakfast and lunch menus. Kids can track food intake using menus they actually eat from. Using this tailored data, kids can plan their eating and measure their nutrient intake. You can also access this information from your school's food service link on the school website. Chartwells Eat Learn Live resources page has information on carbohydrates, calories, vitamins and minerals, fat, sodium, protein and other food data.


  Of particular interest is the Kidnetic webpage. This site gives kids free printable activities, online health games, online food journals and fitness trackers and healthy recipes. Kids often eat less healthy foods because it's easier and quicker. They come home hungry and want to eat immediately. The food tips and recipes on Chartwells give kids healthier eating options. Snacks can be made quick and easy with little parent supervision. This is especially good for kids who are home alone after school.


  Another useful student health website is BAM! Body and Mind (a service of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). This site cover all areas of child health: nutrition, fitness, dental care, illness, immunity, drugs and medications, substance abuse, weight problems, depression, emotional health, bullying, peer pressure, relationships, family health and social skills. Written in cartoon graphic novel style, kids can play games and interact online. BAM! offers kids free printable exercise calendars and food journals.


 


Free Online Graphing Calculator for Math Classes- TI-83, TI-84, TI-86, TI-89


The TI-30 scientific calculator from Texas Instruments is the required calculator for most middle school math classes. TI-83 and Ti-84 are graphing calculators used in high school math classes. These calculators can be pricey. So try the free calculator downloads and graphing calculator apps available here.

TI-30 scientific calculators have function keys for algebra and algebraic equations, trigonometry, scientific math, decimal to fraction converter, unit converter, complex numbers and RPS.

http://www.eeweb.com/toolbox/download has laptop and desktop computer software for the TI-30 free.

http://education.ti.com/en/us/downloads-and-activities Texas Instruments website  has free downloads for their products also. The online TI-30 scientific calculator software can be purchased for $14.95. The advantage in using online scientific calculators is that handheld are easier to lose or get stolen.

http://videomathteacher.com/free-resources/free-downloadable-math-calculators/download-free-virtual-ti-calculator-online/ This site has free math lessons and graphing calculator downloads as does this site. http://freetutorials.name/Reference1/Algebra%20tutorials%201.html

Google Play has free graphing calculator apps for Android users. https://play.google.com/store/search?q=free%20graphing%20calculator%20ti%2084&c=apps

http://appcrawlr.com/ios-apps/best-free-apps-free-graphing-calculator?price=Free&q=free+graphing+calculator&query=best-free-apps-free-graphing-calculator&deviceSeo=iphone%2Cipad&prefix=top-apps&action=seoProcess&controller=app&_rv=1 lists the best free graphing calculator apps available for any platform, from iTunes or Google Play.

If you can find a good freebie, I suggest buying an app for the iPhone, iPod or Android. This turns makes the device into a calculator and means less chance of loss or theft.