My daughter was using our iPod to listen to some songs by Dr. Jean this weekend and while listening to Techno Count to 100 for the fourth time I thought of how in the past I used Dr. Jeans' music a lot in my kindergarten. Since discovering all the amazing song/videos on YouTube that help my students see and hear and say the ABCs or sight words or count I rarely use my kinder music collection anymore.
It occurred to me though, that the songs, especially the number songs my daughter listened to over and over could work great on the iPad. They did! Not only do my students play them and sing along during playtime, but when paired with a good app, they enhance learning.
So, I played Techno Count to 100 and had kids open up the Counting Board app (currently free on the iPad). They put all the numbers facedown and touched the boxes as the numbers were announced. I was able to monitor and LOVED the way the students counted along, touching the number as they heard the number. I will be curious to see if the kids who STILL don't know how to count to 100, or identify numbers will do after several days of practicing like this?
Then I played The Country Countdown 1-20 song by Dr. Jean and did the same thing-Here's a video of one child in action. It was terrific!
We know that the more pathways to learning, the stronger the learning experience is- in this lesson, my students were hearing, saying/singing, seeing and touching numbers.
Later in the day, I played Bingo Bango Bongo (I love the song!) and we used the Counting Board app again to practice skip counting. The color patterns in the app are especially helpful for skip counting!
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Cute idea....Did I understand this correctly .....you played the songs in itunes and then play the app?
ReplyDeleteSue
theverybusykindergarten
Exactly! I have the music playing thru iTunes in my Mac. The songs are also on student iPads but they usually just play random songs on theirs.
DeleteWow what a nice concept. This is so cool while I use this apps to keep students entertain, "a jazzy day" since it has music and storytelling to keep them engaged. Now I have to take a look at this too. It looks awesome. Sometimes is just so hard to come up with new way of teaching in the classroom. Thanks for sharing. Technology is clearly a new way for kids to learn now. But "a jazzy day" apps is not bad either. I think if you are an educator you should take a look at it too. This is their website http://www.themelodybook.com/a-jazzy-day/
ReplyDeleteThanks again.
I love your ideas and your blog! I'm your newest follower. I sometimes post tech-y stuff on my blog as well. Stop by!
ReplyDeleteMaria
Kinder-Craze
Hi, I have a question. My son has autism. he is five and is homeschooled by me. For the past three years. his OT has been working on fine motor skils and he could barely hold a pencil due to low tone and wrist flexion. Since october, he loved the ipad and does beautifully, something clicked, he can now color 75% inside the lines. can use scissors to cut straight lines only, and is able to trace very well on the apps such as the iwritewords and the letterschool app,he is also doign well with the stylus.But with a pen/pencil on paper/chalkboard etc he is unable. I am looking for a way for him to generalise the skill on the ipad on paper... any ideas for tracing? such as using tracing paper on top of the ipad for example and have this think that he is still doing it on the ipad. He is even unable to draw a straight line connecting two dots on paper... any help will be appreciated. BTW. I learnt about both the apps I mentioned from your blog for which I will always be thankful for.
ReplyDeletePadma
Padma,
DeleteI'm so glad your son has had so much success this year! My suggestions would be:
1) try to give him a variety of writing tools. Try chunky and skinny markers/pencils/crayons. Crayola makes some 'slick' pens- meant for windows and posters I think- that he might like. Markers take the least amount of effort so they might be a good transition. Finding a writing utensil that feels like his stylus might help. Or even taping a pencil to his stylus?
2) Spaceboard apps makes some good 'worksheet' type apps. They have a preschool version you can try for free and has a lot of tracing/connecting dots. Maybe you could start him with those on the iPad and transition to similar worksheets?
3)Kumon makes some good workbooks for pre-k/k that have tracing, drawing, and cutting practice. I also make my own cutting sheets using stickers- make your own cutting sheets, and ad a little curve now and then.
4) I LOVE your idea of tracing on top of the iPad... you could also have him draw on windows or in the tub- similarly slick surfaces. My son's therapist used to encourage him to draw "tall trees" and long roads.
5) Try using thick paper or taping it down so he doesn't have to deal with having to hold the paper in place too.
6) For really stubborn anti-writers (and I've taught quite a few) taking the writing tools out of the classroom is the best way to get them comfortable- chalk on the sidewalk, paper taped to the fence, butcher paper on the table and have him draw long lines for roads so he can drive his cars on it.
7) Do you have a whiteboard? Sometimes they are easier for munchkin than paper to get started.
8) If you're able to print, take screenshots of the apps he's successful tracing with... print those out and have him use a writing tool with those. The familiarity might help.
GOOD LUCK and let me know how he's doing!
Sue
Melissa I accidently deleted your comment, so I had to retrieve it... I HAVE to stop trying to manage the blog from my phone... delete and publish are too close together! Thanks for the praise- it has been great for me- it makes the speedy kids slow down a bit and the kids who are always picking at their shoes- the ones who need the practice the most- pay attention. Today I used the app without the music and that went real well too!
ReplyDeleteMelissa has left a new comment on your post "Counting with Dr. Jean and the iPad":
Great idea! I have some kids who are still not with me when counting..... I hope this helps! I just love your blog and all your great ideas!
wow!
ReplyDeletegood morning Sue and thanks a ton for these ideas...
Off I go to gather my materials... i will surely keep you updated.
Padma
Hi Again Sue,
ReplyDeleteHope you are enjoying your day with your kiddos in class. I checked the spaceboard apps and wow there is so much potential there and it is all workbooks in one and we could do so much with it. They have many videos on youtube explaining the app but the real question is .. what happens when a child ends up just scribbling or not tracing correctly or writing a wrong answer? is there a sound or a verbal prompt because children like mine are going to get distracted and start scribbling if there is no auditory stimulus and no sensory input to guide them to correct wrong answers.
When you happen to use this one, can you post a reveiw please?
Thanks
Padma
ok Sue,
ReplyDeleteI am going to answer my question. I hope it will be useful to other readers as well. First I went to the spaceboard webpage and created a online user name and password and then go to the app store and get the free spaceboard digital workbook app. once you get the app, it will ask you to sign in and then you will have access to the many files for free. I have tried it. They are good and is a good system but clearly for compliant kids.For kids like mine, they would scrible more and I will have to teach hand over hand since there is no voice prompt for a mistake. it is very quiet app and is exactly like a worksheet but on the ipad.
Padma
iPads are excellent teaching devices for kids. Its definitely changing the way kids are learning, and I think in a good way. One app that I would suggest is A Jazzy Day. I've used it with my kids and they found it very fun. Its a great way to get kids learning about jazz music at an early age. There is a storybook portion that would also help the kids practice their reading.
ReplyDeletewww.themelodybook.com/a-jazzy-day
Thanks for the ideas! I too love technology and finding new ways to use it. I am your newest follower!
ReplyDeleteApril
Wolfelicious
Your work forces out your followers for blog commenting.
ReplyDeleteipad 32gb
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