If you’d like to ease your kids back into school mode, try these apps...

You might want to take a few minutes to do some back-to-school shopping on your smartphone... 

Here are a few really good apps that might just help your kids make that end of summer transition a little more fun:

• Chalk Walk (iPad ) Free: This one helps to teach kindergarteners how to hold pencils with a proper pincer grip. It’s got some other features that include basic word construction and challenges that develop motor skills.

• iStoryBooks (iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android) Free: It’s like an e-reader for small children, with the added option of having a narrator read the books for you. Selections include classic tales like The Three Little Pigs and Little Red Riding Hood. 

• Number Line (iPhone) Free: For students between second and eighth grade, the fun and mildly addictive math game will challenge most parents as well – and will put traditional flash cards to shame. 

• Wikipedia Mobile (iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android) Free: A great resource for middle and high school students, Wikipedia is community-vetted, which isn’t always the case with Google search results. The app also includes professionally-produced stories and historical tidbits of the day.

• iStudiez Pro (iPhone, iPad) 99 cents: This one helps your high schooler or college student stay on top of term paper deadlines and exam prep. Entries are color-coded based on subject, and information entered into iStudiez also syncs with your calendar. The app provides Push Alerts when assignments are due, and includes a GPA calculator. There is also a free version available.