Reading between the lines?

I just found three great free apps which are must have reading materials. The first is Timbuktu a kid's magazine. Timbuktu had two horrible reviews. The first stated the app had "politics". The other bad review title read, "Pretentious Hippie Propaganda." I still loaded it because nothing made by humans is perfect. If one is a real educator one accepts all perspectives. Not everything written is correct, either. Personally, I loaded the Timbuktu app because Timbuktu is a real nation in Mali (located in West Africa). The only agenda I can see this app has is being conscious. This app is asking children to think about real issues. The first real issue is the environment. I give the app 5 stars and I have only glanced through attempting to access the previous reviewers' problems.


The second reading app is BrainPOP. This app began watching a movie packed with rocket and space facts. Then, the next step was answering questions. While sitting outside the public library, we used this app. I was distracted and really wanted my student to check the app out. His first round of answering questions resulted in 20%. Personally, I was happy to find this app because it presents a challenge and delivers information. Any information using any perspective sparks a dialog. The biggest surprise is that the app renews daily. We will explore this Thomas Jefferson movie pictured tomorrow.


The third reading app is called Globe. This app provides a ton of basic information about anywhere on the globe. I have no idea how truly accurate the information is; that is always the challenge. Nonetheless, it is a fantastic adaptation presenting a physical globe. It rotates free standing 360 degrees. I stated previously in another post that my intent is to create a global entrepreneur. The bottom line is Moore House Home School encourages thinking big even more if one is small.

de Young Museum OLMEC: Big Thinking Event 4/5/2011

April 5, 2011 was a Moore House School field trip to the de Young Museum in San Francisco, CA. It was not mandatory so, oddly enough my student did not attend the outing. But we, did take the iPad and expose new friends to the idea of using one. The three Olmec images (above) were made using Sketch Club app. There are some new updates that make it a fantastic preliminary Art app must own. The grapes were made using Auryn Ink app another must purchase Art app and Stamp It! (a must have of three free apps by Daniel Cota). Here (below) are an image that was made using Sketch Club for the very first time by an artist/friend Lisa who had never used an iPad and an image of the object that she observed.

Untie Taboo

Why do we have tummy buttons is answered using this app. Also, cells, anatomy, addition, multiplication, fractions, time and life are all briefly addressed. Junior Animated Atlas of Human Anatomy & Physiology by Focus Medica app cost $9.99 for each video or $39.99 for all six. Without making a purchase this app is useless for anyone older than ten. Younger children can enjoy the short previews without any purchase. My point that I am trying too emphasize is this app costs a lot of money. I think this app would have been better priced as $20.00 for six and $5.00 each. However, as an artist this app is Science meets Art. Thus, I can see why the numbers have made the price high. As a teacher, conversations examining reproductive natures are mandatory. So, there is no way past it. Our school is concerned with healthy choices and being well informed caring beings.

Before I actually opened and viewed this app, my first thoughts flashed remembering a pop-up sex book my mom gave me as a child. I hope the information is internalized and valued. Nonetheless, time will expose whether or not if the information has been absorbed. Blastocyst is a new word for my personal vocabulary. This new word alone propels praise. However, $10.00 for one 8:29 video is just difficult to regurgitate.

If I read someone's blog I would want to know what I am getting into. The insight that I am sharing here is that the free version of this app is minimal. Our paid version of this app is limited to one eight minute video and transcripts. One may be wondering if this app works? Yes, it works in starting a discussion giving a nice limited overview of a very broad topic. Does it have great app bells and whistles for $10.00. No, it is missing bells and whistles. I think these developers should have sat on the product longer to add some real animation features. I don't regret purchasing THIS one and I am even more ecstatic that I didn't purchase all six. Also, I am going to contact the developers and provide some serious feedback. Thus far, I have found the developers to be really great open people who value input. I haven't checked to see if their are any reviews about this app. I'm slipping on my own homework. (The image was made using a screen shot of the app and DrawCast app).

Being A Consumer

yummisoda made using ArtRage app (Our home school is discerning. Hansen's is one of the healthiest carbonated drinks offered if one indulges sometimes). Yummiberries is a real fruit, also known as, Myrica rubra, yangmei-Chinese and yamamomo-Japanese. What requires a discerning eye is that yummiberries have been renamed because they are foreign or "Asian" named. This critique is not concerning Hansen's product. The critique is examining Global Agriculture and branding.


This morning, we had to take our iPad to the Genius Bar. Yesterday, I conducted a normal sync. I made some quick Art (yummisoda image). After I had transferred the image to my laptop, I went to sync some update and the whole normal process went hay wire. Basically, the haywire was an error message saying that it wouldn't back up. I attempted to restore the settings. However, an error message came up again. This time it went into some eternal spin mode that wouldn't end until the battery died.

When we got our new third iPad I upgrade some previous apps and added some new ones. I spent about $30.00 upgrading apps. As an artist, there were some art apps that we were using that were free. However, the new upgrades are AWESOME! I haven't even begun to look at it really because it took forever to get the new iPad reloaded. My student has been playing, exploring and completely engaged this is my biggest joy owning the iPad. In the near future, I will be making posts explaining the additional apps.

The last post I was talking about the camera iPad. It is actually quite funny because the media was talking about the new iPad. It was not in the store my last post. I discuss the dreaminess of getting a new iPad with a camera. Well today in the store, it was there. We didn't get it or warrant it. But, as I held it in my hands at 8:30 am while folks were in the rain outside waiting and wanting to get in to see the new iPad (they had none in stock), I decided that I do want it. And I would let my son use it. Do I regret not waiting three months? No, my sanity home schooling wouldn't have been intact that long without an iPad. I knew the camera was coming. I needed it. Now it is simple, we need a second iPad. So, we will do some fund raising to obtain the newest one.

Any intelligent person would ask if I feel any less about Apple because this our third iPad? I seriously raise some questioning about the first model. But, as builders of things the strategy is to constantly improve and market innovation. We don't ever make the most sublime product first. Business models are profits. They are not about integrity. Apple is giving us new models because they can resale the busted models and still make their profit. It is cheaper to hand us a new one then, it is to run repairs.

iPad Transform

It was very interesting because our refurbished iPad had an issue. Pretty bizarre, because we thought the cord had snapped near the ten plug connection somehow. We do use it a lot! So, Apple sent via mail a new cable with a return envelope. The devise would not register the charger plugged to an outlet or USB to the computer before and after the new plug. So, we went into the local Apple Store without a genius bar appointment and we walked out with a new iPad. The next day Apple released the camera model iPad not that our exchange would warrant that new upgrade.

It is a mixed bag the whole camera thing. I would love for my student to take his own pictures. But, walking around carrying the iPad taking pictures. I don't think that is a good idea for a ten year old. The fact that the devise without the camera allows him to use Skype app like a phone is enough. I knew that Apple would be releasing a camera model and I'm not remorseful that I didn't wait a couple of months. I would have to get the 64GB because we would snap a zillions of photos. Also, video conversation in public is rude. Update: entertainment game apps have been deleted. It is possible to add and remove effortlessly.
photo: Art Gallery app Street Art from Bogota 2007 and DrawCast app and Spray Paint app

Shooting the Breeze

As Moore House Home School's primary teacher, it is inevitable that Art is part of every day's class work. Pictured above is our ART apps folder contents (To make folders: rest finger on app it until all apps begin to shake or wiggle then, place one app on top of another and folder should appear. Place other apps into the folder when apps are in wiggle mode. Also, one can take a screen shot pressing the power switch and the central front button together). As an artist and art teacher I highly recommend every free app listed.

Art History
free PleaseTouch the Exhibit Melbourn Museum
free MoMA AB EX NY
free iPhone app Louvre-
free ArtHD

Art Making
free Learn to Draw
free Glow Paint byDC
free Peg Light
free Doodle Buddy
free Spray Paint byDC
free DrawCast byDC
free Pottery HD Lite
$2.99 Manga Art
$6.99 Art Rage
$2.99 Zen Brush
free FlipBook Lite
free Sculptor
free Color Effects byDC
free Stamp It! byDC

Daniel Cota by DC is a wonderful developer of 5 of the free apps. His apps have made me love our iPad. The most ultimate free Art app that I have found is Phyzios' Sculptor app. OMG, this is the coolest art app ever being able to rotate a carved object 360 degrees. When visiting their website: http://www.phyzios.com/eng/phyziossculptor_portal.html one will find miniature sculptures that match contest winning carvings. Honestly, I find it hard to process that this Japanese company hasn't figure out how to produce sculptures that the public can purchase. The Sculptor app can be intense if one is not use to the sounds of making art. I highly recommend the user wear headphones hearing their work. Sculpture is about making the stagnate speak; sound is a fundamental and crucial element constructing and creating.

My student took a wood carving class summer of 2010 at the Crucible with Cuban wood carving Master Felix Torres. It was his favorite class. This morning it was so exciting to see him shaping binoculars from memory. He didn't save his efforts because he was experimenting but, it was so amazing to discuss his thoughts of the shapes without him seeing any reference image. More importantly to see how he thought it should be shaped. It was beautiful.

The Art Rage app is a paid app and personally, I have enjoyed it immensely. It is a bit complicated for kids. However, if one's student has a bit of color theory and some decent navigational skills this app is a close as one can get to simulating actual physical painting/drawing. It has a very awesome template overlay feature to trace imagery in the iPhoto library. Mr. Cota's art apps allow one to draw on any image stored in iPhoto where Art Rage forces the user to create their own picture that can then be saved and exported to iPhoto. Both are good. The biggest fun is layering the programs.
This watermelon image is called Digital Genetics. I used Stamp It! app, the Sculptor app and the Spray Paint app. Most of the Art making apps, allow the image to be saved in iPhoto. The Sculptor app saves the image inside the app. There is a feature to email the completed sculpture to the developer's website that I CC or BCC to my email, I download. Then, I imported the sculpture to iPhotos on the computer and sync it to the iPad using iTunes. This melon image was sheer play. I didn't set out to make a piece of great art; it just happened. This image carries class discussion over to our Science where we discuss genetics and agriculture.

PleaseTouch, PegLight, Pottery HD Lite and Doodle Buddy are apps for any elementary school age. However, like with physical Art materials if a child is exposed to the highest quality of materials, a child can produce a high quality piece of Art or at the very least have fun trying. Also, Pottery HD Lite is a simple introduction to the concepts of the pottery using a wheel. I'm surprised at how often my son casual plays making variations of the same vase. Learn to Draw will help children who have a good reading comprehension level. Otherwise, I suggest going through the app with your student. Skipping directly to the lessons the processes are fantastic practices tracing. The super cool factor is the practice trace lessons can be saved into iPhoto and reworked or added upon. I don't recommend purchasing Manga Art unless your student really likes comic books/manga. If the student does like comics, I recommend this purchase for reading practice, as well. And also, buying a physical book like MEGA manga: The complete reference to drawing Manga by Keith Sparrow. This book helped my budding artist draw face better than I ever have. ArtHD only has 15 Artists Frida Kahlo is one of the fifteen artists presented and the app contains none of her images. The perk of this app is it has a feature to go online and provide images of her work. I use this app. I show my son the images. I want him to be able to recognize classical great works. ArtHD can be a great introduction to Art History along with the other museum apps I have listed. The Louve is an iPhone app. The biggest perk of the iPad is that it can use apps made for iPod and iPhone, too. This is where the Mona Lisa is housed, obviously. If a child only knows da Vinci, he or she may be remarkable, especially if that child is inspired to follow in his footsteps. Primarily, the Zen Brush app is for me. However, my student wants to learn the Chinese language. There is a physical must purchase small book titled The Spirit of the Chinese Character: Gifts from the Heart by Barbara Aria and Russell Eng Gon. There is another book by the same authors if title I mention cannot be found either title will suffice. The book explains the directions, strokes and culture of Chinese characters drawings. For Chinese characters to be readable, each stroke forms an interaction with the next strokes. This process requires teacher and student learning together. I love our classes when they operate having both of us learning! FlipBook Lite I haven't figured out how to work it, as of yet. The key with any ART is PLAY. One has to be given permission to PLAY because this is where the best and most compelling works evolve. Artists are not special people. Artist are regular people who allow themselves to play using materials. Great artists master playing. Thus, remember when school is over it is the teacher's responsibility is to play these apps alone, as well.

Our Reading Apps

The British Museum's Ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead free app


Finding good reading material for my student has been a challenge. Initially, the free books I loaded only showed half of the stories. Our titles of half books are Green Eggs and Ham, ABC both by Dr. Suess. Also, Cry Wolf is another book that requires purchasing the ending. Our Reading section is pretty eclectic containing these titles: Greek Gods, Green Planet for Kids, Brain Quest Grade 5, US Presidents, Quarters, two Dictionaries, Jokes Free, Umbrella_0, Mirabilis, The Economist, Recipe Box, Book of Dead, ICDL.

The Greek Gods app/book is essential in discussing the history of the planets, as well as understanding a Western paradigm. The Green Planet for Kids has great facts about energy and conservation. It is not very extensive but, it is a great overview. Brain Quest is a mandatory app for whatever grade is appropriate. My student really enjoys the questions; more than I would have ever expected. US Presidents and Quarters are great overviews to components of US History. We have two free dictionaries. The first one has a rhyme component and word wiz questions (see the Appolicious Link). The other one has a language translator (look for the free dictionary app the icon has a pair of glasses). The 18,000 Cool Jokes is just something to keep the whole process light. There are times when my student resists the process. This app does have some adult content that can be switched off using the iPad's Utilities. Umbrella_0 is the most inspirational comic that I have found. There is another free Umbrella app for iPhone, which we will add if my reader shows interest. Mirabilis is a comic book, as well. The first issue is free and the rest are in-app purchases. The Economist is something to get my student thinking and discussing Global economies. Recipe Box are raw/vegan recipes from SAF and The LifeCo. I'm really trying to get my student cooking. He likes making simple things like ramen. The British Museum has an exhibition of the Ancient Book of the Dead November 2010-March 2011. This app is very cool if one likes Egyptian artifacts and history. The app has one answer seven questions to access the Hunefer's Papyrus. ICDL is my saving grace as far as viewing free book apps. This app has books from different cultures/languages and is for readers age three to thirteen. ICDL is the only real free books app that I have found for elementary/middle school readers.

ICDL free book app home screen

Triangulating Educational Apps

A list of our top super cool educational apps that we use daily:
SBSpelling
MathBoard $4.99
Pocket Zoo $1.99
US Presidents
U.S. Quarters
BrainQuest 5thGrade $2.99
Greek Gods
Star Walk
Google Earth
Atlas of the World
Miss Spell's Class
iLearn Chinese Characters Lite
Smithsonian Channel
NASA
ABC Cursive

Newest Free App Required Viewing

Just found this free PBS app today. At first glance, one might think there are only small clips to view. However, closer exploration reveals there is a ton of full length videos including seven full episodes of NOVA. Any home school's goal is fostering thinking. I previewed Nova/ National Geographic Special Quest for Solomon' Mines. I'm super excited to incorporate this classic format (PBS) into our home school specifically because my student literally says he is king. Considering my son has seen me drop cast items many times, I am eager to discuss copper smelting. Dr. Charles Finch's book titled The Star of Deep Beginnings: The Genesis of African Sciences and Technology will provide supplement defining our cultural perspectives viewing NOVA's Quest episode.

Cracking the Whip

There are always those who will hold doubts. Nonetheless, I wanted to show that the iPad is more than a toy. It is education made super fun. Pictured above is an app titled SBSpelling. This app enabled me to create my own spelling list of twenty words and title the group (First Practice Words). The twenty words were pulled from the Words HD Free game that I posted previously. SBSpelling shows the word and as soon as one begins typing, the word disappears. This app has another option that jumbles and mixes the letters. My student likes using this application and is eager to PRACTICE spelling words. The most enjoyable part for me, is watching him say the letters to himself as he types. The biggest aspect that impacts our home school is there is no paper to print or throw away/recycle. This free app is used frequently!

The Honeymoon

Our first game playing Words HD Lite. I was amazed to see the words that my son was able to assemble. It was the best Language Arts class we have ever shared. He used up all his letters despite my higher score and there was synchronicity because his last word was use. I have played this game twice with random opponents online. (I'm not sure how long a player can abandon a game before it is forfeited. Currently, my second opponent has had me waiting at least a day.)

We have had our iPad for two weeks and it has met all our unknown expectations. It has fulfilled our unknown mainly because it is fun. I have read a couple of blogs that have mentioned iPad-home schooling, as well as reviews of the iPad. It is my belief that most people do not understand what or how to use the devise.

The iPad has been "pimped" by the powers that inform our collective we that it is just a portable Internet devise. I believe anyone who assesses the iPad exclusively as an Internet devise is not willing to be well informed. (I am not sponsored by Apple nor any App Developers. The following sentence is just opinion). The iPad is a tool accessing the galaxy using a finger's touch. (Note: I haven't even fully opened the Star Walk app).

I have loaded 136 Apps. There are nine apps that I have removed from the devise because they were not what we needed. Thus, viewing the remaining 127 apps: 123 were free and 4 were bought. The four purchased apps are Math Board Addition, Starwalk (this app is a must have; I highly recommend it and I haven't even used it, yet), How to Make an iPad app and Zombie Crisis. (I acknowledge my own guilty indulgence buying Zombie Crisis).

The first thing to understand attempting to review any apps is that the categories may not match the application as one might expect. I suggest reviewing the apps product page to read exactly what are the applications functions. This is how and why we have nine applications that have been removed.

We have 6 Books, 49 Education, 10, Entertainment, 36 Games, 2 Healthcare, 1 Lifestyle, 2 Medical, 14 Musical, 1 Photography, 6 Productivity, 4 Reference, 1 Social Network, 1 Travel and 3 Utilities. Rather than detailing each and every app I'm going to highlight categories and our surprising apps finds that fit into that category.

Books: Boy! A Wolf's Tale, Greek Gods, Green Eggs and Ham, Marvel Comics, Twilight: The Graphic Novel and The Umbrella Academy. Unfortunately, the Marvel Comics app was the first to be removed. It was a huge disappointment introducing the reality that many (not all) free apps tease the user into an purchased upgrade. The Umbrella Academy app is a beautiful and an inspirational comic book.

Entertainment: GlowPaint, Let's Create Pottery, London Zoo, PegLite Free, Pocket Pond and Pocket Zoo. My son's biggest complaint with home school is that we don't visit the local zoo. I loaded more than two zoo apps to fill his void. I read an online article about PegLite. I downloaded it because PegLite is referenced as one of top 10 apps for children. Pocket Pond is a virtual Zen pond. My son loves playing with Pocket Pond because it sounds like physically touching water.

Games: two versions of Angry Birds, Doodle Hangman, Checkers, Dominoes, Hangman Classic, Hangman Zombie, Hit Tennis 2, Labyrinth 2 HD Lite, Tap Stones, Words With Friends, and Word Search. I am highlighting these games specifically because I believe they are valuable learning tools that build usable skills.

Healthcare: Naturespace: Relax Meditation and Yoga FREE: 200 Poses and Yoga Classes. We haven't used these apps as of yet.

Photography: DrawCast This is my favorite app because I am an artist. This app is a drawing application not exclusively photography. Although, one can draw on images that have been extracted from one's iPhoto Library. (We have three of Daniel Cota's free apps. The other two apps are Spray Paint and Glow Paint. Thank you, Mr. Cota).

Productivity: Doodle Buddy and Download Lite. I have not used Doodle Buddy because DrawCast has captured my devotion. Download Lite made it possible for me to load a pdf that I created. I have two other apps that are for sharing documents but, I couldn't get them to work as of yet. (As an artist home schooling my son it is comforting that my portfolio can be stored and shared via the iPad).

Reference: Chinese Number Trainer, Free Dictionary, Free Translator, Pig Latin Translator. My son said he wants to learn Chinese. I have load several apps that display counting in different languages. Those other apps are categorized as Education.

Travel: Wolves: Facts and Fables. This app is the most surprising category. My son loves anything involving wolves. I believe the developer categorized the app as travel because the app is ultimately like visiting a wolf sanctuary.

Utilities: Free WiFi Finder, Planets, Speller. I haven't used the Free WiFi Finder because our needs are focused on the apps. As a parent and a teacher I am slightly disappointed that I can't limit or restrict the Internet fully. I do have the restrictions ON in the Utilities>Settings. But, most apps have a back door so, to speak connecting the apps online. Personally, I am trying to minimize my son's youtube.com usage and empty Google searching. We have been out and mobile with no internet connection and still have effectively used the Math Board app successfully.

Technically, I have had a couple of apps freeze up (FacePad and DrawCast). Basically, I have removed them from the devise and re-sync-ed them effortlessly. As a Teacher, Artist and Parent, I am delighted and eager to TAP applause exploring our iPad.

(note: This post lists iPad Apps making suggestions, describing some experiences and listing things that one might discern. We are by no means intending to slander any individual apps... we are just expressing what we have actually done using apps initially and why. This post is not a review nor should it be suggested that it reviews any App).

Our iPad

Yesterday, Saturday January 8, 2011 the 16GB WiFi iPad arrived. We had secured $630.00 in kind to purchase the devise, which has momentarily depleted our school funds. Immediately, 115 free apps were downloaded: 6 Books, 47 Educational, 9 Entertainment, 34 Games, 2 Health Care, 2 Medical, 13 Music, 3 Productivity, 4 Reference, 1 Social, and 3 Utilities.

As a teacher and a parent my first impressions are alarming. Myself, I am shocked that I have downloaded thirty-seven games. Initially glancing the catalog, I saw about ten games that I liked. However after noticing how internet devise savvy my ten year old student is and playing a couple of more adult games, I caved in on my previous judgments banning gaming.

There are two games that stand out in my mind as points of concern for any real parent. The first is Zombie Crisis. This game changed my mind about downloading and allowing games. I played it and enjoyed it so much, I realized my son may be missing out on development without playing and being allowed to play.

The second game is Grand Theft Auto Chinatown. Holy sacred bovine feces, the first scene seems shocking if one isn't a thug or gotta a baby's daddy in da pen. Yikes. I was scared. Seriously! Nonetheless, after sitting through an excessive amount of artists credits I realized again I was being an idiot. I tried to play it and if my son can drive that game I applaud him. Like anything the effort is practice. Practice. Practice. Practice.

Real parent/teacher talk: my hopes are to not leave my son/student blindly unattended using the devise. I do believe a wise parent must observe closely what and how children are using the internet. I am the only person that can add apps. My son has an email and I have agreed that he can have a facebook.com account. Yes, we have facepad.

My arrangement with him is that he cannot use youtube.com or Google unless he asks permission. The biggest downside of the iPad is having to purchase free apps upgrades. Nonetheless, we are going to budget app funds in our expenses and report/document our findings here. Day one, I am excited because I am not very musical even though I learned to read music as a child. I don't play an instrument. There are thirteen different musical programs/instruments that will give him exposure to sound and making his own noise.

Being of African American decent, there are two free iPad apps that are cultural must haves: Mancala FS5 and SlitDrum. Considering the ease and comfort that iPad accesses using ones fingers, I highly recommend Zombie Crisis as a stress release for anyone. Our home schools intent is to use the iPad devise developing a global entrepreneur. We have joined the ranks of high class holding up the know snobs like Stephan Colbert and Cookie Monster; we're grateful.