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Teachers! Click here to request a FREE download for one of our iPad apps for your school. Send us an email with your name, your school's name and school address and also indicate for which product you would like a download code. [Note: Supplies are limited per our agreement with Apple.] |
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Hands-On Math: Base Ten Blocks simulates the use of a popular math manipulative used to teach place value and addition and subtraction with regrouping. Base Ten Blocks are one of the best ways to help students place value. Students place Base Ten Blocks on an interactive Playground to represent numbers. Blocks can be regrouped or exchanged by dragging a virtual manipulative from one column to the next. [ More Information ] |
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Hands-On Math: Interactive Color Tiles provides students with an open-ended tool for creative exploration of fundamental math concepts. The use of a Color Tiles is one of the best ways to give students an insight into a variety of important mathematical topics. Because children naturally like to build and create, engaging them at an early age in constructive mathematical discovery and exploration, helps them view mathematics as an exciting subject. Mathematics is a universal language, so much so, that when when the Voyager spacecraft was sent on a journey that would take it beyond our solar system, the language of mathematics was used to carry a message of greeting from the humans on earth to any intelligent civilization out there amongst the stars. [ More Information ] |
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Hands-On Math: Interactive Hundreds Chart creates a virtual math playground where students explore, investigate and discover mathematical concepts. When students are interacting with the Interactive Hundreds Chart colored markers are used to represent patterns and sequences. Using Hands-On Math: Interactive Hundreds Chart students can develop the following important mathematical concepts:
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Hands-On Math: Interactive Number Sense creates a virtual math playground where students explore, investigate and discover mathematical concepts. When students are interacting with the Number Sense Playground colored number bars are used to represent whole numbers, fractions and decimals.
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Art and computer coding, the two seem to go together with amazing results—and that’s especially true when it comes to creating apps. [ Read article in The Sun. ] |
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Algebra Concepts Algebra Concepts is an interactive learning system designed to provide instruction in mathematics at the 7th grade enrichment through adult levels. The instructional goals for Algebra Concepts includes the following objectives:
Topics
Algebra Concepts uses a variety of educational approaches. It includes a reference system, lessons, quiz questions, and an exploratory tool for open-ended investigations (algebra tiles). Click here to sign up for access to the complimentary online curriculum. [ More Information ] |
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PuzzleLogic Just about everybody enjoys puzzles. Unlike jig-saw puzzles, many of the puzzles in PuzzleLogic can be solved in more than one way. Some of the puzzles can be solved in just a few moves, but figuring out which moves can be very challenging. This set of puzzles is a compilation of challenges specifically chosen to provide teachers, students and others a way to concentrate on developing problem solving skills. Most of the solutions involve the application of arithmetic, algebraic, geometric and logical skills. [ More Information ]
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Tabletop First Words Has your child mastered the alphabet? Is he or she ready to start reading words? Like a super fun interactive tabletop, with cards, buttons and letter tiles, Tabletop First Words transforms your iPad into an exciting learning tool. First Words presents collections of words and pictures of common objects that are familiar to children. A picture appears on the tabletop surface with a set of scrambled letter tiles. The child's task is to spell the word letter-by-letter by moving tiles into the correct position. The word is pronounced and each letter is pronounced as your child touches the letter tile. Play First Words together while you’re waiting in line at the grocery store, sitting in the waiting room at the dentist, or traveling by train or bus. It’s a fun and convenient way to entertain your preschooler while reinforcing reading readiness skills. [ More Information ] Tabletop First Words is now available at the Apple iTunes Store. |
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Plexers If you like word puzzles, enjoy a good game of Scrabble, or can't wait for the Sunday paper with a new crossword puzzle, you'll enjoy our unique collection of word Plexers. Plexers are puzzles where clever arrangements of letters or symbols give each puzzle a special meaning. The challenge is to figure out the meaning. Plexers are designed to encourage you, your friends or students to think clearly, creatively and logically. Secret Meaning Can you find the secret meaning of each puzzle? Remember, Plexers are a little bit like a rebuses except that rebuses use icons or pictures to make the puzzle, where as Plexers are usually just text. Use our collection Plexers as word puzzles to stimulate creative thinking and problem solving skills. Try to solve the puzzles with a group of two or three people to better understand the value of teamwork and brainstorming. Thinking Strategies When trying to solve a Plexer, think divergently and consider an array of alternatives. Brainstorm possible meanings as creatively and freely as possible. Don't give up too quickly and to avoid temptation, turn 'Solutions' off using the Settings Options. This will hide the 'Reveal Answer' button (Question Mark Icon) that gives access to the solutions. |
MindTweak is like taking your brain to the gym for a visual thinking workout. Visual thinking refers to the skills involved in reading, interpreting, comprehending, comparing, analyzing, synthesizing and evaluating visual information. MindTweak is designed to present a series of visual challenges that require exercising visual thinking skills. Strengthening visual thinking skills enhances an individualšs ability to engage in learning. The challenges in MindTweak require the user to combine mathematical and language skills in a unique way. MindTweak includes 100 challenges presented in multiple choice format. Finding Patterns In some of the challenges the user must study a pattern and determine what comes next in the pattern's sequence. Some of the patterns are presented using images of objects; others are numeric patterns. Combining Objects or Groups of Objects Some challenges involve determining the qualities or characteristics of a group or groups of objects so that when combined a puzzle is completed or other condition met. Similarities and Differences Periodically challenges are presented that require the user to find the similarities or differences among sets of objects. Careful examination will lead the user to the correct solution.
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Rotations, Reflections and Transformations Occasionally a challenge is presented that requires the user to mentally rotate, reflect or otherwise transform one or more objects to find the solution. Designed by veteran educational software developer, Dr. Fred Ventura, MindTweak is useful for all ages. For young students who haven't had much opportunity to develop visual thinking, MindTweak is a great way to practice the skills that are components of visual thinking proficiency. For this type of learner, it might be helpful for he or she to be paired with a more experienced student. Communication about methods used to solve a challenge should be encouraged. Teachers might wish to suggest that words and phases such as, similar, different, above below, on top of, next to, below and to the left of, be used in discussions about the MindTweak puzzles. It is also helpful for students to use mathematical terminology when describing and discussing the MindTweak challenges. For older people, MindTweak can be used to help foster mental health and fitness. Research has shown as people age it is important to keep engaging in activities that require intelligence and imagination. The more time that a person spends in activities that involve mental processing, the more likely it is that he or she will stay mentally sharp as he or she ages. [ More Information ] MindTweak for iPad is available now at the Apple iTunes Store. |
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Kidioms An idiom is a commonly used phrase or expression whose meaning can be confusing because the words together have a figurative meaning than doesn’t reflect the literal meaning of the individual words. An idiom usually will have a literal meaning. But the alternate meaning is figurative and therefore can only be understood metaphorically. Idioms, if interpreted literally, can be humorous or even preposterous: He laughed his head off! Are you pulling my leg? Idioms are usually a short phase or peculiar expression that if interpreted grammatically can be preposterous or even humorous. The individual words that make up an idiom are not to be taken literally. Idiom are use frequently in everyday conversation because idioms help to express a subtle idea or nuance that would be more cumbersome if expressed conventionally. Similes and metaphors are other types of figurative expressions, but idioms differ in that idioms have meanings that less intuitive. |
Learning about Idioms is Important
The understanding and use of idioms enrich everyday conversation by enabling us to express subtle ideas or nuances and by adding color, humor and whimsy to our language.
Idioms are used frequently in everyday communication. Idioms offer a concise way to express a complex idea and therefore are an efficient way to express an idea. Students who are in the process of acquiring a new language can find it difficult to understand written or verbal communications when an idiom is encountered. Confusion, embarrassment or frustration can result. A misunderstanding of an idiom is often a source of comedy, but because the use of idioms is so pervasive being knowledgable about idioms is an important part of language development instruction.
The Kidioms iPad app makes learning idioms fun for children, ESL students, or anyone wishing to improve their understanding of English. The app uses an interactive notebook to present an idiom, it's meaning and an example showing the idiom used in context. Each page of the notebook also has a graphic to help illustrate the idiom’s meaning.
In addition to the lesson, Kidioms offers interactive activities to help reinforce the concepts and to help solidify a deeper understanding of each idiom.
