It's pretty clear that I'm crazy about Verizon's service and the great tools I'm using as a #VZWBuzz Lifestyle Blogger.
I haven't spoken much about this to anyone, but my husband and I are going to start homeschooling our kids this fall. That means in roughly a week, we'll commence being solely responsible for the education of our children.
There are several reasons for our choice to homeschool, and I may expand on them in a future post. At this point, I'm thankful that we're starting this now, while our kids are young and open to pretty much anything we put in front of them.
In that same vein, James and I are taking the idea of curriculum, our overall plan of topics and educational areas, one baby step at a time. We have a loose plan for the next month or two, but we expect to find our footing once our new routines are in place.
I'm feeling especially excited that Verizon's Educational Tools are FREE for users with the More Everything plan. I'm one of those people who will definitely be taking advantage of that! Note: If you have a different Verizon plan the Educational Tools will cost $2 a month.
We're on the more conservative side of our children and technology, so I don't forsee doing too much with the extensive directory of educational apps categorized by grade level, skill set, subject and/or Common Core standards.
At the same time, the app selection within Verizon's Educational Tool is very impressive and easy to navigate. Best of all, the apps have been curated by Verizon's own in-house experts. Those experts include teachers, instructors and education specialists. When a reader gets to their filtered list of recommended apps he or she can view teacher reviews and ratings, as well as an overview by an expert explaining why those particular apps were chosen.
Another nice feature of the app is a free minibook of Common Core Standards for Parents for Dummies. Let me be honest, I don't quite know what Common Core is, but it's my plan to become familiar with it in the next week. This free book is my first step in that process!
Finally, users of the Verizon Educational Tools app will receive bonus educational content and special offers from select leaders in the edcucation industry, including the following:
- Scholastic
- BrainPOP
- Copia
- Tutor.com
- TinyTap (Verizon’s 2013 Powerful Answers Award Winner)
I'm not experienced in the area of apps that are both appropriate and educational for children, so I can't speak to the effectiveness of any of the offers above, but I'm a huge proponent of FREE. Take advantage of the free offers available to you, but make sure you research the programs and content before spending money on anything beyond what's available at no cost to you.
The Verizon Educational Tools App is available for Android tablets, Android smartphones, iPads, iPhones and other Apple devices running the iOS operating system. Download Verizon's Educational Tools app from Itunes or find the Android app in the Google Play store.
blogomomma says
Good luck with homeschooling – that’ s a big decision but I’m sure you’ll find your way quickly AND you’ll be great at it! The Verizon Educational Tools, Apps and Videos are such great resources! Great post!
Marybeth Hamilton says
Thanks so much! I just started diving into all the online resources and it’s great to have this app as a starting point.
Liz Mays says
Verizon is always thinking! This sounds like a great tool to help you as you kick off the homeschooling.
Mary says
How cool! There really are some really neat apps out there nowadays. I swear there is an app for everything!
Jennifer says
I love apps that are fun but actually TEACH! That’s so important to me. Kids can have fun and be on electronics but if they aren’t learning then I don’t like it. With my youngest daughter starting school this app could definitely help her get a head of the class.
Marybeth Hamilton says
I 100% agree with you. It’s so hard to vet everything our kids are exposed to, so it’s nice to have good recommendations all summed up in one app.
Rosey says
I think you’re right that routine will bring some great progress. And like you, I like the idea of taking advantage of the free apps to see if they’re a good fit for learning (why not, right?!).
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
Good luck with the homeschooling! I know that is a huge decision that I am sure you didn’t take lightly!
Tiffany (Fabulous Mom Blog) says
Those seem like very useful apps to have for the young ones. My daughter likes to learn when it’s through apps. Hold her attention more.
Jaime says
I had no idea Verizon offered this app. We love educational apps for our toddler!
Melissa @ This Girl's Life Blog says
Great resources for kids. Those are the types of aps I don’t mind my daughter playing.
Jessica (Savory Experiments) says
This is excellent! You can take learning with you any place if it is on a smart phone!
Marybeth Hamilton says
Oh, that’s a great point! I haven’t gotten that far in our plans yet.
Jessica (Savory Experiments) says
This app is pretty cool. You can take learning with you any place you go!
Jennifer Bullock {MommyBKnowsBest} says
This is a great app post! We love to supplement our school year with learning apps. We may use some of these for our homestudy days.
Jenn says
Yay for educational apps! I need to refresh our collection. The kids are getting bored.
Melinda says
i love finding new apps for kids. I’ll pin these for later andfor my friends
Krystal says
My son loves using apps on his tablet. I love the educational ones!
Felicia says
What great options. I love it when education is fun.
Pam says
I love apps that are fun for kids but still educational. Especially when they are free!
Marybeth Hamilton says
To clarify, the Educational Tools app is free for Verizon More Everything customers, but not all the recommended apps are free. Still, some are free, and I’d definitely try any of those first.
Amy Desrosiers says
I am really impressed with the educational apps for kids like my own. The fact that they are also free is amazing!!
Amanda says
These are awesome! I need to check out few new apps for the kids and for me! Thanks for sharing!
Carly Anderson says
I love technolgoy because of all the great educational apps and devices for kids. I had no idea that Verizon had an Educational Tool.
Shell says
Looks like they have great tools to help! Good luck homeschooling!
Shannon Gosney says
Our kids love playing games on our phones. These sound like some fun and educational games!
Ben - Gentlebim says
I love seeing educational apps. It’s a great way to trick kids into loving learning, and in my house, that’s what it takes!
Marybeth Hamilton says
Ha! I love that you speak the truth, Ben 🙂
Stacie @ The Divine Miss Mommy says
Educational apps are a great way to get children excited about learning. They love to use devices, and this is a great way to combine that with learning.
Marybeth Hamilton says
This is so true. It’s like kids are magnetically attracted to anything with a touchscreen.
Janell Poulette says
I love letting my kids play educational apps. I home school so I let them play while they are waiting on my.
Chrysa says
Good luck on your big step of starting school! If anyone can do it I think you guys can. I like that all of these apps from Verizon are curated by experts. Much better than having to wade through a lot of “iffy” choices.
cam | bibs and baubles says
How awesome to have all of those resources available for free! Best of luck to you on your homeschooling journey. Our neighbor homeschools and it’s been her greatest challenge AND reward!
Christie says
There’s tons of amazing free apps. Enjoy school with your kids
Ben @ Cheap is the New Classy says
I love educational apps. It’s a great way to get kids involved with learning and be happy about it.
Ben @ Cheap is the New Classy says
I love educational apps. It’s a great way to get kids involved in learning and have them enjoy it.
Mellisa says
Whenever you can get your child to learn something when playing a game, it’s a win-win! These sound like really great apps.
Tracey says
These are really great apps to help educate kids. Love that they are free!
mary says
what a great selection. I love that they are free. But I love even more that they are educational
Amanda says
Wow! What a HUGE selection of games! Perfect for the kiddos!
Everyday Living with Chrys says
We love our Verizon service as well. Its nice that their are free and educations offers.
Jeanine @ sixtimemommy.com says
So awesome, what a selection too! My kids would for sure love this!
Lisa says
I really need to look into more apps. Both educational and resourceful tools to help me stay organized.
Angie | Big Bears Wife says
I love these apps for little ones for smart phones and tablets! I wish these were around when I was little!
Shasta says
These look great. I am always looking for new apps for the kids, and this looks perfect for them. I love Verizon!
Jessica (Savory Experiments) says
You can take learning with you on the go and it is disguised as a game! Genius idea!
Marina @ Mommy Snippets says
Looks like a great educational app! Very useful for teaching children.
Danielle @ We Have It All says
Good luck with homeschooling, I can’t wait to hear all about it! And thanks for sharing the apps, I’m always looking for more.
Chrysa Duran says
I didn’t realize that Verizon has all of these Educational Tools. I will for sure check them out for our family. Good luck this school year.
Ann Bacciaglia says
Good luck with homeschooling. What a fantastic decision to make for your children’s future. Thanks for sharing this app. Math can be tough to teach.
kristin says
These sound like great apps. Very useful!
Ashley - Embracing Beauty says
Those look awesome! My daughter would love these.