Apps that can be used in First Grade Literacy and Math.

ABC Phonics Make a Word

The standard that would align with this app is RFS.1.2.D which says:
Segment spoken single-syllable words into their complete sequence of
individual sounds (phonemes)
This app is an amazing tool for students who are just learning to read. You are given the
option to work with different vowels. By picking the vowel sound you want to focus on
you will start a game in which you will be shown a picture and letters will be under the
picture. Based on the name of the picture the students spell the word by dragging the
letters into their correct space. By dragging each letter the student will hear the sound
that letter makes. As they form the word they will hear the word being sounded out and
then at the end they will hear the blended word.
For example, say I want to work with the vowel A I would select that vowel and a picture
will appear. This picture can be that of a bag. Underneath the picture there will be letters
a, b, g and three blank spaces under the letters. The student will spell out the name of the
picture by dragging the letter /b/ to the first space, followed by /a/ to the second space and
lastly /g/ to the third space. After placing each letter in the correct space a voice will say
the sound of each letter and then the sound of the word as a whole.
I think this app is very effective for first graders because they are able to work at their
own individual level. The audio on the app is also very effective for the student because
they can hear the letters being sounded out and blended together just like they would if
they were working one on one with their teacher.
A potential barrier of this app would be that it doesnt have
Grade 1 Splash Math
Considering you can pick from a variety of first grade math topics with this app such as
addition, subtraction, advanced addition, advanced subtraction, mixed operations, place
value, counting and comparison, add and subtract within 100, time and measurements
this app aligns with more than one standard. In fact each different topic aligns with the
common core state standards for that topic. For example, the addition and subtraction
topic for this app would align to:
CCSS.Math.Content.1.OA.A.1
Use addition and subtraction within 20 to solve word problems involving situations of
adding to, taking from, putting together, taking apart, and comparing, with unknowns in
all positions, e.g., by using objects, drawings, and equations with a symbol for the
unknown number to represent the problem.1
The mixed operations topic for this app would align to:
CCSS.Math.Content.1.OA.B.3

Apply properties of operations as strategies to add and subtract.2 Examples: If 8 + 3 = 11

is known, then 3 + 8 = 11 is also known. (Commutative property of addition.) To add 2 +
6 + 4, the second two numbers can be added to make a ten, so 2 + 6 + 4 = 2 + 10 = 12.
(Associative property of addition.)
Place value would align with:
CCSS.Math.Content.1.NBT.B.2
Understand that the two digits of a two-digit number represent amounts of tens and ones.
Understand the following as special cases:

Counting and comparison would align with:

CCSS.Math.Content.1.NBT.B.3
Compare two two-digit numbers based on meanings of the tens and ones digits, recording
the results of comparisons with the symbols >, =, and <
Time and measurement would align to

CCSS.Math.Content.1.MD.B.3
Tell and write time in hours and half-hours using analog and digital clocks.
CCSS.Math.Content.1.MD.A.1
Order three objects by length; compare the lengths of two objects indirectly by using a
third object.

This app has endless possibilities! Like I said before you can pick a variety of topics that
match the first grade level. This app used picture representations to guide students in
their learning of math. Most questions show you a picture and the student has to tap the
correct answer. The more answers they get correct the more coins they earn. After
earning a certain amount of coins the students can go to the store and buy something.

I think this app is effective because students can focus on one topic at a time or if they
want to challenge themselves they can work on more than one topic. I also really like
this app because students can work on it through multiple units throughout the school
year. Since this app provides coverage on so many different topics, its something
students can use all year long. Instead of just using it for a couple weeks focusing on one
topic it provides help and practice on every math concept students will learn in first
grade. Better yet this app is FREE!

A potential barrier of this app is that students will only work on the topics they are good
at in order to earn coins. To avoid this happening as the teacher I would pay extra close
attention that students are only working on the topic I want them to work on and
mastering that topic before I allow them to move on to another one.