I've found it!!!

Well last semester, I began using a PDF reader to have my students write on documents I sent them. We began with Benchmarks as PDF's to go back over questions students' missed. They could work out the problems and save their writing on the iPad. I used it with other documents as well. The kids could highlight, underline, and show work! Although the idea was fabulous, I wasn't in love with the app I had! I began searching for PDF readers that were free! As you can imagine, the free apps were not user friendly. I knew there had to be a way to send a test or paper out to kids and have them complete the work.  Well last week, I was introduced to an app that is kid friendly and make my classroom paperless - yeah! I sent a math test out! The kids showed all their work and answered the questions! They sent their test back as a PDF! (Through email) I opened their completed task in the same app, graded in another color, and sent it back to kids and parents!! Aww. Not a paper passed over my desk to get lost in the mess!  The app is called: "Notes Anytime"

 App Logo!

Also I was looking for an app that would create graphs and allow kids to save their progress and do it easily. Graphing is part of our standards.  Graphing personal gains or goals is a huge part of Marzano's evaluation system. The only app I knew that did that was "Numbers" but it is $9.99.  I did not want to spend that much on 30 apps.  After being reminded of a kid friendly website that creates different types of graphs, I checked it out again.  I knew it would make the graphs look good but I could not save it and update the graph as time passes or data changes. After I played with it for a minute today and realized that I could make the graph without any data and download as a PDF.  Once I downloaded the PDF, I opened it in "Notes Anytime" and saved my progress.  The kids will be able to make their different graphs and then draw on a line graph or bar graph as they gather data!!  "Notes Anytime" is THE app I have been looking for!

Here is the website:

Kid Friendly Graphing Website

Here is what I created!

Max Journal!!!

I found an app that I am going to use for all of my "notebooks" next year.  It is called MaxJournal, and it is free!

The kids can make more than one notebook.  Right now I have created 5!  Each notebook is named and then personalized with a picture from your photo roll.  Once you open the journal, you can look at the journal in two different views: single day, or month!  The kids add to their academic journals by typing or inserting pictures.

This year, my kids have inserted pictures of skill graphs we made.  They then wrote their goals next to the graphs.  The kids also did their pre/post check concept checks in each subjects' "notebook."

The kids really enjoy personalizing their notebooks.  It saves a lot of paper and room in desks! :)

Where to look for apps!

Two apps that I have been using a lot to find free apps:

AppsGoneFree

Appsfire

Appsfire has apps sorted by category.  Some of the still cost money, but they are still reduced.  AppsGoneFree has 7-10 apps free everyday! :)