Kindergarten iPad Apps

I have been neglecting my poor blog! Instead, I have been passing on ideas to teachers through Google Docs and Twitter. I will try to remember to post them here as well.

A kindergarten teacher I know just got an iPad for her class. She asked for some recommendations for literacy apps. Here is a short list of apps I suggested she download to get started. I will add more, as well as blog soon about apps for older students as well.  ***Disclaimer: prices may have changed since posting

1. ABC Alphanbet Phonics - Preschool Kids Games Free Lite (free)
This app is by Grasshopper Apps.com. It is great visually, very clear! Students listen to a prompt an select a letter by tapping on the screen. This company makes a lot of nice apps!
2. Letter of Day Interactive Activities (free)
This app is by Lakeshore Learning Materials. Includes a chant/poem for every letter, a "find the picture beginning with _" part, and a letter tracing activity.
3. Beginning Sounds Interactive Games (free)
This is another app by Lakeshore Learning Materials. It's a very neat activity, sort of like pulling a slot machine and then matching pictures to the letter of the beginning sound.
4. Dolch Primer and Pre-Primer Sight Words: Learn to Read (free and paid versions)
This app is by Steep Turn Software LLC. This is an iPhone app, but works on the iPad. The paid version gives you access to all the word lists pre-primer through 3rd grade.
5. I Like Books (free)
Another fabulous app by Grasshopper Apps.com! It contains 37 books in a nice, simple format. It has colorful photos, options for Read to Me, Read to Myself, or Autoplay. I like that the spoken word is highlighted as its read aloud.
6. Alphabet Tracing (free)
This app is by Oncilla Technologies. Students trace letters with their fingers, following a moving train, truck or worm to learn the correct formation.
7. Phonics Awareness, 1st Grade (free)
This app is by Bugbrained.com. I like the Segment section, using a bug's segments as a visual to break apart a word.
8. Sight Word List - Lear to Read Flash Cards & Games (free)
This app is by Alligator Apps.com. It is a simple flashcard app for sight words. It has many options for customizing lists and can be used preschool-3rd grade.

I hope you find something in this list that you can use!