Last year marked marked the widespread implementation of the Common Core State Standards across the United States. While the media might make them seem scary, they’re really just about helping boost college readiness for all students by the time they graduate from high school.
Each of the apps featured here have been aligned specifically to those standards and are designed to accompany the new classroom curriculum. So go ahead and ensure your child is prepared for the rigors of these new content standards by providing them with some extra help at home via these handy Common Core apps in the slideshow.
More Learning Activities for Kids:
- 6 Apps for Learning to Read
- 10 Tips for Fostering a Love of Learning
- 4 Awesome Learning Apps for Kids
Common Core Apps
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Brain Pop
Get it: $1.99/month limited access/$6.99 full access
There's nothing like an appealing cartoon to get kids excited about learning, and these BrainPop videos are absolutely amazing! I used them all the time when I was teaching middle school math & science, and it's a great way to introduce new topics or review old ones with your kids!
Grades: 2-8
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Write About This
Looking for a way to engage your child in daily writing prompts? This app provides great images and prompts to practice their opinion and narrative writing day in and day out!
Grades: K-5
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Questimate!
This app is for the kid that's always asking, "When am I going to use math in real life?" This app helps kids practice their estimation skills in real-life situations, like measurement! I know my daughter would love to be able to tell you how many jelly beans would it take to fill up a soccer ball!
Grades: 3-7
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DragonBox Algebra (5+ and 12+)
Get a jump on algebraic thinking and concepts without the distraction of numbers with this amazing app. As a former algebra teacher, I used activities like these in my classroom to help connect abstract thoughts to patterns and operations! There's a version for kids in elementary school and one for middle grades, but they both help kids work on the skills needed to succeed in high school and beyond!
Grades: 5-7
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Shakespeare in Bits
We all remember the first time we read a play by Shakespeare, and for most of us that moment wasn't pleasant. Help your student get over any hurdles they may encounter with these amazing apps that dissect and connect the words and material in innovative ways.
Grades: 9-12 (high school)
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Bugs and Numbers
What kid doesn't want to play with bugs, so let them play all they want with this great math app! They'll be counting to 100 and practicing their time-telling skills, never knowing that they're actually working from Kindergarten through third grade math standards!
Grades: K-3
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Hooked On Phonics App
You might have laughed at the commercials growing up, but let me tell you first hand that this app is no joke! Kids learn their phonics like they would in a classroom, but with the added bonus of unlimited practice and fun songs to sing. There are plenty of early reader books to practice with, and you can track their progress as they move along. It got my daughter reading by the time she turned 4 and she just keeps on going!
Grades: K-1 (also good for PK)
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News O Matic
I'm a news junkie, but sometimes I find it hard to explain things to my daughter in a kid-friendly way. Thank goodness for an app like News-O-Matic has a full team of journalists creating kid-friendly news stories to engage and share the world with them throughout the week.
Grades: 2-8 (aligned to 3/4 reading & math standards)
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Math Champ Challenge
Math Champ Challenge is unique as it aligns your child's performance across all Common Core Standards and earns them achievements and badges for each Domain "Cluster." In simpler words, you basically will know exactly when your child masters certain Common Core Standards and share that with your teacher in the classroom!
Grades: 4-7
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SpellingCity
I can remember spelling drills and homework in elementary school and just dreading them daily. This app takes your weekly spelling list and turns it on its head by quizzing kids with fun games and testing their mastery as they go along! Each account can handle up to 5 kids, so everyone can pass around the iPad to practice now instead of waiting for mom or dad to drill them on Thursday night.
Grades: K-6
