Tellegami is an app that will let you bring your story to life in a creative way using animated characters that you select. You can start from scratch with a unique story or have the character summarize a book you just read. It is available for iPhone and Android devices.
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A bookmaker for kids is what you get when you download the My Story App. Some of your children may have come home telling you about the creations they made with Ms. Finegan this year. It is user-friendly and fun way to let your little storyteller create a book and share with others. The $3.99 [iOS 6 or later] is worth the investment.
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Funny Movie Maker - Replace Your Face is an app [iOS 6.0 or later] that delivers exactly what you think based on its name. This free app is sure to entertain. After you pick your image (face), you upload your recorded audio and replace the mouth or face with yours to get a laugh.
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For an investment of $2.99, you can download the Explain Everything app [iOS 5.1 or later]. The user basically creates an interactive whiteboard on the phone or tablet. You can draw, color, and create on top of the image or blank canvas.
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Puppet Pals 2 is a free app [iOS 6.1 or later] where children can create their own puppets and have them tell a story. Whether personal creations or attempts to retell a story read, the app is pretty user-friendly and helps students explore their creative side.
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The International Children's Digital Library created this free app [iOS 3.0 or later] so that children could create and share their own digital creations. It is allows you to write, illustrate, and add sound to your story. With easy-to-follow guides, young children can work with little assistance after initial modeling.
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There is no better way to show how much you have learned something than to teach another person. Educreations [iOS 5.1 or later] is a free app that will let you do just that with ease by turning your iPad into an interactive whiteboard.
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Coding Apps & Programs
Kodable - When kids use this app, they begin to learn the basics of programming. It develops critical thinking skills
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Scratch, Jr. - This is a free program and provides an entry level point to coding for children in the K-2 range.
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Scratch - The MIT Media Lab created this tool to stimulate creative minds in the area of programming.
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My Robot Friend - Although there is an expense for this app, the benefit is its ability to work on critical thinking skills in a fun and creative way.
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Finding Your Inner Scorcese
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iMovie is one of several apps that can be used successfully by young children with little direction because it is very intuitive. While not a free on your iOS device, the expense can more than pay for itself with hours of productive work!.
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The title to this You Tube video should read, "Trick Shot Video!" It is the embodiment of the skills needed for the 21st century - communication, creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration. No assignment was given and yet all skills used. This project was the result of having my three kids (6, 10, and 12 years old) come to school on a snow day while I worked. They were very proud of themselves. I was impressed because they have never been taught how to make an iMovie, needed no direction, occupied themselves for several hours without arguing, and had fun! Imagine what our classrooms could look like if we channeled that focus and determination!