FREE iPad Apps

The Math Learning Center

FREE Virtual Manipulatives

This post links you to two sites that have listings, descriptions and standards for several math apps to use on the iPad.  Most of the apps mentioned on this page provide a quick video (follow the link) on how to use the app once it has been downloaded.

The first link takes you to a list of twelve free iPad apps to use with students covering math standards such as number lines, number frames and geoboards.  The second link takes you to a blog all about educational apps for students and adults.  The three apps listed are for math and they are Geoboard by The Math Learning Center, Virtual Manipulatives and Equivalent Fractions by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.  The standards address for Virtual Manipulatives and Equivalent Fractions are listed beneath the app's description.  The apps would be a great tool for students to use in the classroom during centers time (if you work in a school where students have access to iPads) or as a whole group activity to be done simultaneously on the white board with the teacher (if there is access to a classroom set of iPads).

The standards addressed for Virtual Manipulatives and Equivalent Fractions are listed below respectively:

• 3.NF.3 – Explain equivalence of fractions in special cases, and compare fractions by reasoning about their size. Understand two fractions as equivalent (equal) if they are the same size, or the same point on a number line.
• 4.NF.1 – Explain why a fraction a/b is equivalent to a fraction (n × a)/(n × b) by using visual fraction models, with attention to how the number and size of the parts differ even though the two fractions themselves are the same size. Use this principle to recognize and generate equivalent fractions
• 3.NF.3 – Explain equivalence of fractions and compare fractions by reasoning about their size. Understand two fractions as equivalent (equal) if they are the same size, or the same point on a number line. Recognize and generate simple equivalent fractions, e.g., 1/2 = 2/4, 4/6 = 2/3). Explain why the fractions are equivalent, e.g., by using a visual fraction model.

The rest of the apps address the following mathematical domain standards: operations and algebraic thinking, number and operations in base ten, number and operations - fractions, and geometry.

Math Playground

Math Playground

This site hosts math games for grades 1-6 that align with the common core standards.  When you open the page, you will see several choices to sort the games (Math games 1 through "Common Core").  If you choose the "Common Core" tab, you will be able to choose your grade level and games that address those CCSS will be listed.  From the home page, you could also choose a game/learning activity from the section that is sorted by topic ("Addition and Subtraction" in the top left corner and the list continues to "Algebraic Thinking" in the bottom right corner).  Scrolling further down the page will bring you to two more fantastic resources: Thinking Blocks and Math Manipulatives.  The thinking blocks are used in conjunction with word problems to help students solve.  They first identify the parts and information given in the sentence.  Then they label the parts with numbers.  Then, they find the missing part and input the number.  They are available for word problems with addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, ratio and proportions.  There are several manipulatives at your disposal as well; everything from pattern blocks to spinners for probability to scales for fraction-decimal-percent comparisons are present.

Standards:
The games/manipulatives/thinking blocks are meant to be used with students in grades 1-6.  The games in particular are aligned to the CCSS and address the following mathematical domains for grades 1-6: operations and algebraic thinking, number and operations in base ten, number and operations - fractions, the number system, ratios and proportional relationships, expressions and equations, measurement and data, geometry, statistics and probability.

Fuel the Brain

Fuel the Brain

Fuel the Brain is a website catering to elementary school mathematics objectives, particularly grades K-3, by providing games, printables and interactives for students to learn and practice math concepts.  When you open the page, you will see a bar at the top where you can choose form different activities and resources.  If you scroll down the page, you will see the "featured game", the "most popular" games list and the "most recent" games list.  Scroll down a bit further to find a list of games broken up into the mathematics domains covered in grades K-3 (you can choose your desired grade level by clicking the bubble above the list of learning domains).  When you click on your selected game, the game will load.  Below the game window, there will be directions for and descriptions of the game.  the same organizational structure is present for both the printables and the interactives pages as well.
In the classroom, the printables are great resources for independent practice, homework and/or centers work.  The games and interactives are great to use on the white board for whole group or small group, providing interactive and engaging ways for students to work on the mathematics skills.

Standards:
The games and interactives address the following mathematical domains in grades K-3: counting and cardinality, number and operations in base ten, operations and algebraic thinking, measurement, data and geometry.

LearnZillion

LearnZillion

To access the resources in this site, you must make a free account.  Once that is done, you have access to video lessons and lesson plans for grades 2-12.  You choose your grade level, and when the page opens you have access to several lesson plans that address certain domains (listed at the top of the page [they're active links that will help you skip down the page to those lesson plans]).  The lesson plans have math practice and content standards identified for you.  Once you open your chosen lesson plans, you will see a "PowerPoint" with teacher notes in a bar on the right hand side.  As you scroll down the page, you will see the big ideas identified for the lesson plan, a summary for the lesson plan and content vocabulary identified for that lesson.  The video library is a little different in that you need to choose your grade level on the left hand side in order to sort the videos; you can also sort by Common Core Standard.  These lesson plans and video lessons are huge assets for teachers to use as whole group instruction and for students to see multiple representations of a mathematical concept.

Standards:

For each lesson plan and video lesson, the content standards and math practice standards addressed are identified.  Because the lessons are developed for grades 2-12, the mathematical domains addressed are as follows: operations and algebraic thinking, numbers and operations in base ten, numbers and operations -- fractions, the number system, ratios and proportional relationships, expressions and equations, functions, measurement and data, geometry, statistics and probability.  

Khan Academy

Khan Academy

When you open the web page to Kahn Academy, there's a drop down menu at the top of the page where you pick the subject to work on.  When you hover over "math", you are then able to choose your grade level (K-12).  When you choose a grade, there are several categories that come up for the grade level; for high school, you choose the concept that you want to address.  When you choose your desired skill, the activities are listed in order of difficulty/learning order.  For example, third grade area activities starts with "Introduction to Area" before moving on to measuring the same shape with different units and finding area by multiplying.  Once you click on the skill you'd like to address, students will be asked to do practice questions.  Students must get five questions in a row correct before they can move on to practice a new skill.  In the classroom, these would be great for whole group lessons and for whole class review before a test.  They could even be used as a center if the teacher pre-determined which skills to work on.

Standards:
These questions are meant for students in grades K-12 and cover the following mathematical domains: counting and cardinality, operations and algebraic thinking, number and operations in base ten, number and operations -- fractions, the number system, ratios and proportional relationships, expressions and equations, functions, measurement and data, geometry, statistics and probability.

Hooda Math

Hooda Math Manipulatives

Hooda Math Games

This site is a great resource for both math manipulatives and games that are both interactive and engaging for students.  The manipulatives offered are listed below:

• Base-Ten Blocks
• Hundreds Chart
• Number Line for Integer Addition
• Algebra Tiles
• Algebra Balance Equations

When you open the manipulatives, the mathematical practice standard that is addressed is written at the top of the page in a blue box.  For example, when using the number line for integer addition, the mathematical practice standard identified is "CCSS.Math.Practice.MP4 Model with mathematics". The manipulatives would be great for whole group activities and teaching.

With the Hooda Math Games, you are able to choose your grade level, a game category and/or math subject.  Then, you have clicked on the game and the page opens, the math practice standard addressed by the game is listed at the below the game in the black area (white lettering).  For example, if you play the game  "Number Eaters", you are addressing "CCSS.Math.Practice.MP6 Attend to precision."

These games are great resources to be used by students who finish early as extension work and practice.  They could also be used in a math center to provide students with extra practice of a mathematical skill.  

Standards:

These games and manipulatives are meant for use by students in grades K-12.  The mathematical domains addressed by these interactive manipulatives and games are as follows: couting and cardinality, operations and algebraic thinking, number and operations in base ten, number and operations -- fractions, expressions and equations, functions, measurement and data, geometry.

**In my professional opinion, this site should be closely monitored and the games should be thoroughly researched by the teacher before students have free reign of this website.  Some games will better address standards.**

ABCya!

ABCya!

This site is a great resource for math games that students can play on the computer.  There are games for grades K-5.  When you load the website, you click on the grade level you want and scroll down the page until you get to the "numbers" tab, under which you will find all the math games for that grade level.  For example, the second grade has games that work with a hundreds chart, addition and subtraction facts, coins/money, place value and time.  They are interactive and engaging ways for students to practice and master these mathematical concepts.  I would use these games as extension activities in the classroom that students could play when they complete a task early.  I could also use these as part of math centers and have students play a certain game each day to practice the skill we're working on whole group.

Standards:
The interactive games/activities on this site address standards in grades K-5.  The standards are in the following mathematical domains: counting and cardinality, operations and algebraic thinking, number and operations in base ten, number and operations - fractions, measurement and data.

Blog -- Cara Carroll

First Grade Parade with Cara Carroll

This blog is maintained by a first grade teacher in Texas named Cara Carroll.  She is a classroom teacher who is responsible for all content areas, but she is a great resource for math activities in grade 1.  The activity I would like to highlight is one meant to be done independently by students or in partners and it's working on odd and even numbers.  The students flip a coin and if it lands on heads, they cover an even number with a red cube; if it lands on tails, they cover an odd number with a blue cube.  This would make a great centers activity (as would many of her math posts on her blog) and would be a great way for students to become familiar with numbers on a 100s chart as well as with the characteristics of odd and even numbers.

Standards:

The standards addressed for the lesson mention and linked above are not in the first grade standards but this skill is helpful, if not essential, for students to access the second grade standard 2.OA.3. Determine whether a group of objects (up to 20) has an odd or even number of members, e.g., by pairing objects or counting them by 2s; write an equation to express an even number as a sum of two equal addends. Students need to know what odd and even means to be able to meet the second grade standards and this activity can help them do that.

Blog -- Amy Lemons

Step Into Second Grade with Amy Lemons

 This resource is a blog maintained by a second grade teacher named Amy Lemons.  Although she teaches all content areas and also maintains a "Teachers Pay Teachers" shop, she consistently updates her blog and provides great examples of math lessons in her second grade classroom.  The link above is to a lesson on subtraction.  The teacher has the students sort math problems into categories based on like differences.  But in order to sort, students are given laminated number lines and dry-erase markers to first show their work and how they solved the problem.  The tactile number lines are great manipulatives for students to use when solving addition and subtraction problems.  This particular lesson would be used as a centers activity in the classroom and would be a great way for students to practice the skill of subtraction independently in a meaningful way.  There are many other math lessons and resources provided by this blogger that would be great additions to a second grade classroom.

Standards:
The lesson mentioned above (and linked in this post) meets the following standards:
2.OA.2 Add and subtract within 20.  Fluently add and subtract within 20 using mental strategies.

Dreambox

Dreambox

Dreambox offers online manipulatives ("teacher tools) for kindergarten through 8th grade.  They are all meant for an interactive whiteboard and are used for number sense, equivalence, addition, subtraction, geometry, algebra and functions.  Each grade level is broken into two sections depending on what the the manipulatives address.  When you click on your topic choice, a description will open about the manipulative and how it's used; you will also have the option to use the tool in Spanish.  Once you open the tool, make sure the volume is turned up for you can hear the directions.  For the fourth grade ordering fractions activity, students are given a number line and asked to place given fractions in the correct order.  When the student makes a mistake, hints are given by showing equivalent fractions.  Once you get three correct, you are moved to a new screen to work with fractions with a different denominator.  This would be a great interactive resource to use for a whole group lesson, but these would really lend themselves well to center activities for students.  They're simple activities, but with the oral directions that are present in these activities it makes them possible for independent work.

Standards:
For grades K-8, these interactive whiteboard lessons address the following mathematical domains in the standards: operations and algebraic thinking, number and operations in base ten, number and operations – fractions, the number system, ratios and proportional relationships, expressions and equations, functions and geometry.

iTools

iTools

The page opens to ten tabs that you can choose from to find manipulatives.  The categories are listed below:

• Counters
• Base-Ten Blocks
• Number Lines
• Number Charts
• Graphs
• Fractions
• Geometry
• Measurement
• Algebra
• Probability

Once you choose a tab, the page open to an empty board where you can use the manipulatives. Then, once you're on the empty board, there is a tab at the top of the page called "activities".  You can click that and choose from different mathematical activities using the manipulatives.  For example, when you open the geometry board, you have access to units, rods, flats and 1,000 block.  Then, you have several activity options to do with those blocks (such as add, subtract and compare).  Or, if you choose the graphs tab, the activities give you the option of using several different graphs (pie graphs, bar graphs, etc.).  In the classroom, this would be an awesome tool to use when modeling with students how to use manipulatives to solve problems while students are working independently with these manipulatives.  This could also be up on a smartboard for a centers activity for students.

Standards:

These interactive manipulatives could be used in grades K-6, and they could address the following mathematical domains: counting, operations and algebraic thinking, numbers and operations in base-ten, numbers and operations - fractions, measurement and data, measurement and probability.  

Illuminations

Illuminations

This compilation of manipulatives is useful for teachers in grades Pre-K-12.  When you open the site, there is a box on the right-hand where you can choose grade level and mathematical concept.  Once you search inside those parameters, games and activities will be listed.  Click on your desired one and a new page will open.  For example, the activity "Grouping and Grazing" for numbers and operations in grades Pre-K through 2 is a way for students to group things into sets, while simultaneously seeing the numerical value displayed with tally marks.  Once the students has separated the cows into groups, they can check their work and submit an answer of the total number of cows.  It's a great way for students to count and understand grouping items for skip counting.  The extended support given by using tally marks too is just one more way to represent numbers to students.  In the classroom, I would use these resources during whole group time to practice skills and/or model the use of manipulatives while students work with their own simultaneously at their desks.

Standards:
My focus in on elementary school, but these interactive resources are meant to address standards from Pre-K all the way through 12th grade.  In elementary school, these interactive resources address the following mathematical domains: counting and cardinality, operations and algebraic thinking, number and operations in base ten, numbers and operations - fractions, measurement and data and geometry.

Math-a-rama!

Math-a-rama!

This site is set up with a circus theme.  Each ticket represents a grade (K-6).  When you click on the ticket, it takes you to a screen with several options, one of which is eManipulatives.  Once inside, you can click your manipulative of choice and a new window will open.  All manipulatives open to a blank page where you can then choose and move around manipulatives on a blank "paper" or on a chosen work-mat.  these manipulatives can be used in the classroom to give students a visual representation of a mathematical concept.  They can also be used for independent practice in a math center where students are asked to solve a problem using the manipulatives first to model for their peers and then writing their answer/explanation on a recording sheet.

Standards:
The manipulatives are designated for use in grades K-6, so they would be good to address the following standard domains: counting and cardinality, operations and algebraic thinking, number and operations in base ten and number and operations - fractions.

Math Tool Chest

Math Tool Chest

This online manipulative has several different tools to offer:

• Tables
• Coin Toss
• Spinner
• Number Line
• Counter
• Graphs
• Fractions
• Attributes 
• Place Value
• Money
• Pattern Blocks

Each of these tools are contained in a treasure chest.  Once you click on the treasure chest, you may have to choose between level 1 and level two.  Then, you are taken to a blank page where you can choose your "placemat" and desired manipulatives.  For example, you can use the number lines to do addition or subtraction with the help of a kangaroo that hops from number to number.  In the pattern blocks treasure chest, you can measure shapes and rotate them.  In the bottom right corner of each page (after you open the treasure chest) is a little robot that is available to help.  All you have to do is ask (or click on him)!  As a classroom resource, these tools would be great for whole group modeling and teaching.  They would also be a great resource for visual learners to have support in the classroom.

Standards:

These virtual manipulatives can be used to address a multitude of across grade levels in the following domains: operations and algebraic thinking, number and operation in base ten, number and operations - fractions, measurement and data, geometry.

McGraw Hill -- Virtual Manipulatives

McGraw Hill Virtual Manipulatives

This manipulatives website has several different features.  It allows you to choose a grade level from  Pre-K through 8th grade.  Then, you can choose a "background", which are game boards, story boards or workmats.  Lastly, you can choose your manipulative; you can choose anything from a balance with weights to money to tangrams and pattern blocks.  This resource could be used in a variety of ways in the classroom.  It could used during whole group instruction on the smartboard to introduce a mathematical concept to students while simultaneously modeling how to use certain manipulatives.  It could also be used as independent practice for students by posing a question, having students solve it at their seat on a white board and then come up to the board and solve it for the whole class with manipulatives.  Furthermore, in the "gameboards" section on the "backgrounds" tab, students can play a game as one of their math centers for added practice or they can be used as a whole class, perhaps as a review game before a test.

Standards:

These virtual manipulatives can be used to address a multitude of across grade levels in the following domains: counting and cardinality, operations and algebraic thinking, number and operation in base ten, number and operations - fractions, the number system, ratios and proportional relationships, expressions and equations, functions, measurement and data, geometry, statistics and probability.