5 Educational Apps for Homeschool

If you use an iPad in your homeschool you know how overwhelming the iTunes store can be when searching for apps that might fit your needs, even when you’re using the category search.  Unfortunately many people often download (and sometimes paid for) apps that they also immediately delete. Everyone has their favorite apps but here are 5 apps worth reviewing and adding to your family’s homeschool favorites:

1. Dictionary.com (free)  Everyone has a dictionary in their home.  It’s fine to have your children get used to using both the book and app version when looking up challenging words.  You can’t beat this app for convenience and it boasts nearly 2 million words, definitions, synonyms and antonyms.
2. SpellDown Spelling Bee ($1.99) Each week use this to type in personal spelling lists, hit “build my list” and instantly your kids have a fun, easy way to review their spelling words.  Use the standard audio or record your own.  You can even type in a sentence so they know which word they are reviewing (helpful with homophones).  It’s a fun way to handle a necessary task that can get boring.
3. Art Authority for iPad ($9.99) This is a relatively expensive app but many agree it is money well spent.  For example – in our home we study art, music and history chronologically and that is how this app is organized.  We are currently studying the Renaissance period, so we simply open up the app, click on Renaissance (1400s-1500s) and I have artists and their works from this period all in one place.  The pictures are stunning and include Wikipedia links to both their current location and artist information.
4. World Book – This Day in History for iPad (free) Each day just click on this app to find out what happened on “This Day in History”.  It includes links to lead to further study.
5. Math Bingo ($.99) This app is a fun way to handle weekly review.  Just select a math function, a level, and off you go.  It keeps track of your time and number of incorrect answers.  If your kids are like mine they might even enjoy collecting cool alien creatures when they get a bingo!

This list is by no means exhaustive – there are thousands of apps to choose from!  However these are 5 apps that we all equally enjoy.

What educational apps are you happy you downloaded?

by Megan Zechman, FPEA Member in District 8.  Megan and her husband Craig have been a homeschooling their children since they began school.  They all enjoy using their iPad to learn and LOVE finding new, cool apps to try.