Ed. note: App of the Week picks are now being curated by the editors of Common Sense Education [1], which helps educators find the best ed-tech tools, learn best practices for teaching with tech, and equip students with the skills they need to use technology safely and responsibly. Click here [2]to read the full app review.
Zearn [2]
What’s It Like?
Zearn is an online math curriculum for grades 1 through 5, with supplemental skills practice activities for kindergartners. Students open up to a dashboard with tasks to be completed, which include a variety of fluency warm-ups that promote general number sense and lesson-specific skills, as well as guided practice with interactive video lessons that feature enthusiastic human teachers and school-age children (“The Zearn Squad”). Students will also find an independent practice and formative assessment activity rolled into one (called the Tower of Power) and a summative exit ticket.
Price: Free, paid for extra
Grades: K-5
Rating: 4/5
Pros: Thorough scaffolding and reinforcement of learned skills, it’s a great resource for live instruction and tons of useful data.
Cons: Could use more open-ended multiple-solution problems; practice is light on conceptual reasoning.
Bottom line: If you’re looking for the perfect balance of online lessons and in-person support, at home or in school, look no further.