Clam-I-Am!
Clam-I-Am! would work well as an introduction to a science unit about oceans or marine ecology. You can read the story to the class and write key words on a master glossary list, or kids can take turns reading in small groups. Since a lot of the vocabulary is advanced, you can adjust your glossary list according to kids' learning levels. Ask more advanced students to give examples of different arthropods, mollusks, echinoderms, and crustaceans. Extend the explanation of salty ocean water given in the story by teaching kids about the entire water cycle.
Continue readingEditor's Note: Clam-I-Am! is no longer listed on the developer's website. It appears to have been removed from all of the app stores where it was once available.
Clam-I-Am! is a fact-filled ebook that teaches kids about marine ecology. The ebook has two reading options: Read to Me and Read it Myself. In the Read to Me option, words are highlighted as they're spoken, which helps kids learn and practice reading skills. In both reading options, kids can tap bolded words to learn their definitions and tap pictures to hear and see the pictures with labels. Kids can record their own voices while reading the story, which gives them an opportunity to practice speech and language development.
Clam-I-Am! provides kids with lots of information about marine ecology and related science topics. Kids learn about groups of animals like mollusks, crustaceans, and echinoderms by tapping bolded words within the story. Pictures and basic animations teach kids about tides, the color of the ocean, why the ocean is salty, and what causes waves. Kids can tap pictures throughout the story to hear and see the pictures with labels. Many of the words and definitions are a bit advanced for early readers, however, and some might become overwhelmed by the amount of information.
Unfortunately, the ebook doesn't include opportunities for kids to practice or review what they've learned. Adding some interactive activities and a glossary of terms would enhance the overall learning experience.
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