I love mistakes!

After all, mistakes are often the stepping stone to finding a new solution to a problem. So, I want to fess up to making a mistake on my blog! I try to be transparent to my students when I make a mistake (and I even make mistakes on purpose sometimes- although it's not necessary to pretend- I make enough naturally!) so they see how I react to a challenge.

On the right you may have noticed links to some of my favorite sites... yesterday I was doing a recording of my screen to use in a presentation for the mobile2011 conference and realized that I'd entered .com instead of .org on one of my favorite sites. So, I want to give a little attention to this site- even though it's not "digital" per se, I use it regularly.

http://www.artprojectsforkids.org/ so I fixed the link- it should work now!

If you do art with elementary (and up too) kids you HAVE got to see this site. I have done her giraffe mural and countless other activities from here.

One way I incorporate using technology in my art lessons is to use google images to find art similar to the project we are doing. For example, when we made a Kandinsky mural, I showed students a lot of artwork by Kandinsky and some other modern artists.

Then I printed some info from a website and put it up along side our mural to let other classrooms benefit from our art and the history of modern art. I also printed mini-photos of some of his other work and put those up too.

Last week we were painting and one students' piece reminded me of Van Gogh's Sunflowers... so I connected and showed some of his depictions of sunflowers.

Help me learn how to use Google Forms!

Mobile 2011- finally!

I have been looking forward to this conference for a few months.  I may experience letdown after it's over- what will I look forward to now?  Oh, yeah- a cruise to ALASKA!)

ok, back to Mobile2011!  It has certainly lived up to expectations.  First of all, I really like the venue.  Phoenix is beautiful (and dry!  I LOVE Washington State but I am soooo sick of the rain rain rain this year particularly.) The Hyat Regency Downtown is lovely- and I have had great service so far from staff.  AND the catered dinner was very yummy!

After some bumpy internet access issues (you had to have known that since this is a techie conference that something wouldn't work!) we got up and going in the sessions. Tony Vincent is hilarious, and there has been some great sessions so far.  I learned about some new apps and have lots of new ideas for using technology in class.   I am not even going to try to summarize them because the team putting the event on has created a blog for attendees to post about the experience... with the incentive of a free ipad2 drawing at the end of the week, with good posts rewarded with extra entries.  SO, people are blogging their hearts out on there, and I have added notes from the sessions I have been to thus far!  If you go to the mobile2011 site you can access the blog, or here's the link:

http://mobile2011blog.posterous.com/  There are some really great ideas on here!

I will be sure to add some of the info over the next few weeks as I explore the ideas and apps more. 

More Montessori teaching style apps

I couldn't resist when I saw these apps by Montessorium were on sale for $.99, I believe they are regularly $4.99...  They have similar features to other Montessori Method based apps: neutral backgrounds so the focus in on learning, intuitive design, and the lack of negative sound for a wrong answer.  I greatly dislike (trying to eliminate hate from my vocabulary!) apps that ask a question and then moves on to the next when the child was wrong instead of teaching the write answer as well as those that have harsh sounds for mistake. My opinion is that these would be great for pre-k-1 and possibly 2 depending on the ability of the students.  Some children who struggle with phonograms in 2nd would benefit from Into to Letters (and alphawriter too, as they have the abcs, then phonograms for kids to pick as they make words)  The Intro to math is best for pre-k and K as it only introduces 1-10.  I would highly recommend it to K though as just the sequencing activity meets math standards.  The other activities will really help kids with understanding number sense for 1-10.   

Intro to Letters

intro to math

Intro to Letters is actually a great and deceptively simple app. There are many ABC apps out there and I can't honestly say which one I like best- they are so unique.  This one teaches letter sounds, correct writing form, and even has a feature where the child can listen to a letter sound, letter name or phonograms and then record themselves saying the sound.  They can play it back and compare their pronunciation to the "right" one- which is spoken right after their pronunciation.  What a great tool for students who struggle in speech.

Intro to math is super simple to navigate, I love the sound effects (I think it's a xylophone?) as the rods are reordered (from short to long), it has five activities on the main screen- but some of the activities lead into others.  I like the way one of them shows the numbers- counting each one aloud as it appears on the screen.  Then the child shakes the device and the numbers scatter.   Next the child is prompted to reorder the numbers.  Another activity shows the numbers, then asks the child to "tap on _"

Now Alphawriter is pretty cool too (I really love the phonograms!)  when you touch the placed letters the sound is pronounced.  I am going to try using this during my making words lessons (normally I use Montessori Crosswords) as it might be fun for the kids to write out a word related to a picture for a challenge after the lesson.  Hmm.  tough choice.  Maybe I'll let the kids pick the app during the lesson. 

Alphawriter

iMovie

I'm in love- with my new iPad2.  Let me count the ways...
Smoother edges (the first was a little too sharp as is my Mac laptop)
FaceTime (free video talking!)
Photobooth (too much fun!)
Camera/Video (for the visually impaired- huge screen is LOVELY and it is not as awkward as you'd think!)
iMovie...

my first iPad iMovie

Ah, iMovie on the iPad2.  I love it on the Mac, and yes, I've used it with my kindergartners with the mobile mac lab.  iMovie on the iPad2 though- priceless!  Well, actually it was 4.99 in the app store.  So far, I am very impressed.  You can use the pics and videos taken on the iPad2 and compile a movie directly on the iPad2 and watch it on the device, or upload to YouTube.

What I will like about it for classroom use is the simple design and limited options.  While the limited editing options are a little frustrating for a person who loves to edit clips to the smallest details, for classroom use, they will be perfect.  About half of my kinders can navigate through iMovie on the Mac without assistance, however, the other half usually need assistance.  I think the whole class will be able to use iMovie for iPad2 with very little support.  I use the word intuitive too much probably in my writings about the ipad, but Apple's done it again... an intuitive video editing app that will be awesome for use in the classroom.

Here's a little clip of a reading record as read by my son Daniel.  I took a picture of the page and then added audio of him reading, then I took video from within iMovie of him reading.

I have an iPad2!

My husband has listened to my whining long enough I guess because he tracked down an iPad2 with 3G for me and we got it today. I am writing from it right now... Love it!

I am bummed I didn't get to use it with my kinder kids yet, and now that spring break is here- yippee by the way- I won't get to use it with them before the mobile2011 conference. I will certainly let my own munchkins use it though and get the kids perspective on the new iPad. Already I am quite charmed by the camera capabilities, and with Photobooth- I KNOW the kids will love it. I was amazed at the beautiful photos I took with kaleidoscope, xray, and heat sensor- with my minimal skill and in a moving car I got some gorgeous pics (some funny ones too!)

The form of the iPad is much smoother... I found the original iPad to have uncomfortable edges,this one doesn't. I am sure I will have more to share after playing with it this weekend.

A big thanks to my sweetie for helping me stay current with my gadgets and getting me my own iPad, which is white by the way and I have a pink smart cover on order too!

Teaching Gadget: Splashtop Remote

So, here's an app that turns your iPad into a great teaching gadget- your own computer! I have only used it for two days and already I love it!

The good news is, for those of you attending Mobile2011 next week, Splashtop's developer is giving away the app (2 at EACH session!) so you may win your way to the app for free.  If you don't get one for free, it is an app well worth the $4.99 price tag. 


We all know that one of the biggest drawbacks to the iPad/iPod/iPhone is the lack of flash support.  Well, with Splashtop Remote you can use Flash based sites from your iPad/iPod/iPhone!  Eureka!

Look at these screen shots taken from my iPad while I used www.starfall.com and www.tumblebooks.com, and down below, a student is using www.spellingcity.com- three of my favorite websites that did not work before on my iPad.   Awesome as my daughter would say!

 Now, I am still figuring out Splashtop's advanced features- I'll be sure to update as I figure out more ways to use it...  I am sure there are untapped depths to the app... and yet, if all I can do is access my favorite ECE sites AND my documents from my iPad...

Well, for $4.99 ($1.99 for iPod), it's well worth it!  If you are going to come to my session @mobile2011, I will be using my iPad with Splashtop Remote during the presentation instead of being tied to my Mac and 2 attendees will get free copies! 

To use Splashtop you download the app on the iPad/iPod/iPhone, and download the free application onto your computer.  In just a few steps (I did it Tuesday am in just minutes) you connect to your PC and you can access anything from your computer via your iPad/iPod/iPhone.    The smaller screen with touch is a little difficult for me to adjust to, but it has gotten easier every time.  Above, a student is playing Hangmouse on SpellingCity.com  Then he passes the iPad to his next classmate so they can take a turn.

Beth, you asked about the iPad and interactive whiteboards... here is a great way for students to interact from the carpet/tables with what you're doing on the board!

Publishing Student Work

Last year I coordinated our school's use of the Student Treasure's book publishing program. We had students illustrate and write on special paper and sent the class project in to be bound and reprints made.  The end result was great; the process was a little painful.  It was  a little difficult to manage the pages- one child would illustrate the back of another's writing- mess up, rip, or smear it (and all three happened of course) and both students had to redo...  AND kindergarten handwriting can range from illegible to gorgeous, and they had to write, copy, then trace over with a marker... It was worth it, but a little challenging and most had to be done 1:1.  And I could not fathom doing it with this year's crew and no aide during writing.

So, while ordering the packets for our building, I noticed on the order form that they have an ONLINE publishing program (Beta) and immediately signed up.   So far I am very impressed with the site.  The teacher enters student names then the software assigns pages to the child as well as a logon and password (easy too- first name initial and last name- I'd be sholt) and common word passwords such as colors and other easy words.  The students can only change their page.  I, however, can see the whole book from my page.  The students will type onto the page- it saves automatically and prompts before closing- and can manipulate the text color, font and size.  Teachers can load images (I will scan student artwork and/or photos) and students can insert them or clip art.  Multiple student images can be placed.  Our second grade teacher has decided to try it too- she felt the first try, with children typing their writing up, went well.

Publishing allows them to see themselves as an author/illustrator and gives them an authentic reason to write- how amazing!

There is a referral program- if you plan to try, please send me your email- if I refer you and you end up publishing I will get a $50 card to spend on my classroom.  If you refer other schools, you'll get one too!

Here's the site:  http://www.studentreasures.com/

Teaching Tools: Montessori Apps

Two of my favorite apps to use as teaching tools in my classroom are based upon the Montessori Approach to education.  For those unfamiliar with Montessori, I've copied some information from http://www.montessori.edu below my review of the apps.


One that I have found very useful is the Hundred Board: Montessori Approach to Math ($2.99).  My students chose to play this one even during free choice time when they can choose from any app on the iPad.  


It takes the place in my classroom of number board and 100 tiles.  If you can imagine the difficulty of organizing 100 number tiles for each student (and what to do with the set when they lose one piece!).  More importantly though, is the vocalization of each number as it's selected, and the child is unable to place a number incorrectly.  In the last update they added the choice to sequence the numbers with "control" meaning the numbers are displayed to help students pick the next number.  The numbers can be placed by ones, evens or odds.


The same creator (Rantek Inc.) made the Roman Numerals! ($1.99) app in the same format as the Hundred Board.  The student can pick to go from 1-100 by ones, or evens or odds using Roman Numerals.  I would suggest this app for grades 3&up.


A new app, to me, that I will use on a regular basis is ABC Sequence ($1.99), which is similar to the previous apps, in that the student will put the alphabet in order, using capital or lowercase letters.  The letter name is announced "G is for giraffe" when the child selects it.


The Montessori Teaching method is evident in these apps - "Teach by teaching, not by correcting  Instead the child's effort and work is respected as it is. The teacher, through extensive observation and record-keeping, plans individual projects to enable each child to learn what he needs in order to improve."  -www.montessori.edu  All of these apps do not have sounds or graphics that indicate the child made a mistake, nor do they move on to the next question without allowing the child to find the right answer.  Instead the incorrect choice is minimized and the child tries again.


The beauty of most of the apps produced in the Montessori Approach is their simplicity. 
The 100 board, ABC sequence, as well as the Geography app are powerful applications and ideal for classroom use.  The following apps are beautiful and simple too, and may be found useful in preschool or special education classrooms.  A Montessori Approach to Vocabulary focuses on common vocabulary objects; a shadow of an object is shown for the child to guess the object, then the photo can be shown and the word can be pronounced aloud.   A Pre-Language Exercise- Opposites shows two opposite words (big & small) and a picture of objects that are opposite in size. Brown Stair and Pink Tower asks the student to follow a plan to recreate a tower/stair combination by selecting the next smallest or largest piece in the pattern.  Both my 2 year old and 7 year old were happy to play through the levels.

"Montessori (pronounced MON-tuh-SORE-ee) education was founded in 1907 by Dr. Maria Montessori, the first woman in Italy to become a physician. She based her educational methods on scientific observation of children's learning processes. Guided by her discovery that children teach themselves, Dr. Montessori designed a "prepared environment" in which children could freely choose from a number of developmentally appropriate activities. Now, nearly a century after Maria Montessori's first casa dei bambini ("children's house") in Rome, Montessori education is found all over the world, spanning ages from birth to adolescence."  www.montessori.edu



I have purchased 100 Board and sampled the lite versions of Geography and ABC sequence.  A developer for Rantek Inc, shared codes with me so that I could review the above mentioned apps.  Thank you!

Another favorite Montessori based app created by another developer (L'escapadou) is Montessori Crosswords ($2.99)- the crosswords are great for spelling words from simple CVC to long vowels and compound words, but I especially like the movable alphabet for use in my making words lessons.  


Most of these apps have a lite version for you to try before you buy!  So go ahead, try them!

Customizable App: Kidimedia

Have you visited the http://www.iear.org/ (I Education Apps Review) site yet?  I have enjoyed being a member of the site, on which educators review apps and developers look for feedback on current and upcoming apps.  Through the site I contacted one of the creators of the Kidimedia app (their site is www.kidimedia.com) and was given a code to try it out.  My review of the app is long overdue, so here it is!

Kidimedia app currently costs $1.99

What excited me about this app was that it is customizable.  You can go to their website, upload your images, and create an activity that you designed!   While it works without an internet connection, while connected the games are almost limitless.  They have made several updates since I first tried it and they have made some major improvements!

Kidimedia offers multiple, well developed features all in one handy app, with up to three difficulty levels:

Lily's puzzle- "Look it's me!"

Jigsaw Puzzles-  My daughter loves this one, especially the pictures of our family I have added using the website. 
Connect the dots- I like this one a lot- you touch the next number and the number is read aloud.  Once the dots are connected the matching image comes up, after the child is prompted to guess what it will be and given time to think.
Stamping- Choose a backdrop, then decorate with adjustable stamps.
Sliding Window- touch a square to reveal a part of the picture underneath.  Try to guess the picture.
Shades (match outline of an object to it's picture)
Memory- classic game- and one I look forward to customizing- I'd like to do sight words and such.
Ordering- put images in order- such as the life cycle of a caterpillar.

Counting down before revealing the picture.

Sorting game (matching pairs such as A-E & a-e or 1-5 & the correct number of objects, or colored keys to colored locks).

For the price, the many activities are wonderful, and the fact that you can customize the games to fit your child or your curriculum makes it perfect for education!

Teaching Tools: iPad as a Reading Group

Group A on left using iPads, Group B on right reading books.

For the past 4 years I have had a leveled reading group time in my classroom with groups of 5-8 children working in small groups with myself or an aide or volunteer.This year with my large class size I was depending on a high school helper to lead one group until one day she withdrew from our school... which left me with 12 students in my reading group. 12 is way too many for a small group so I have felt doubly blessed by having the iPads available.

So now, I have half the group use literacy apps on the iPad while I meet and read with the other half. Then we switch. The result: 6 students getting 1:1 feedback support and practice (from the I Pad!) on reading skills while I provide the other 6 with feedback, suport and practice reading leveled books.

Sorry, my embeded video was bad... Here is a link instead...

Some of the apps I use (replacing worksheets/puzzles, etc. that the kids would have to do independently and not have feedback on while they are working) are Make a Word, Montessori Crosswords, Starfall ABC, Louie's Letter Challenge, Teach Me K and 1st grade, ABC Reading, and Pocket Phonics.

In past years I've had similar issues (not enough helpers to have small groups) so I have had to spend a lot of time making meaningful materials to use in centers, interrupting the group I'm in to monitor students who should be working on their own, and worrying that the activities I had students doing weren't "good enough." I cannot believe how easy it is to use the iPads as a center, how excited the kids are to use them, and that I so very rarely get interrupted by an iPad user.

No iPad list- writing on paper instead of using the iPad

So what if kids are "playing around?" Put them in the "no Ipads for __ days list." During times you would normally have the student use an iPad have them do the assignment "the old fashioned way." Trust me, they will not be repeat offenders.

great sites for mobile technology users

I have found so many great websites that provide support for those using technology in education.  one i have learned a lot from is Tony Vincent's www.learninginhand.com

Tony will be presenting at the Mobile2011 conference too.  i suggest going to www.mobile2011 to the list of speakers... the organizers have provided links to presenter's pages; you might find something helpful.

i am writing this from my phone... I will add more sites to this list the next time I am near my computer.

AS PROMISED- more helpful sites: 
http://wiki.canby.k12.or.us/groups/ipodusergroup/
http://its.leesummit.k12.mo.us/mobile_learning.htm


if anyone is reading this  is from WA, I just heard of a training coming up in May that includes a new iPad in the price (700) of the training, and walks you through setting it up and finding apps for the iPad.  Let me know if you want the info.

Mobile 2011

Only two more days to register for Mobile Learning Experience 2011. Spread the word! http://mobile2011.org

I encourage you to check out the site, agenda, and come to Phoenix.  I'll be there.  I'll be presenting.  Although I am not sure if that is an incentive or a drawback for some.  

WASA Conference

Today I presented "A Digital Age Classroom & Tools You Can Use"at the WA Small Schools Conference.  For those attending, I want to give you some of the resources I mentioned.

Canby School District has some data collected about their 1:1 ipod program: http://wiki.canby.k12.or.us/sandbox/groups/ipodusergroup/weblog/6a110/attachments/daa48/ipodachievementdata-20092010.pdf?sessionID=ce76f4bd163b934541fb3d7467215dd5e7e7fd34

I showed you my colleague's site on how to use iPads in HighSchool: Ipads In The Classroom

This is another site that has great info about tech; and some specific info for schools using iPads on a large scale:  http://learninginhand.com/ipad/

www.atomiclearning.com has technology tutorials and lessons

To get to my tizmo's page go to: www.tizmos.com/kgrade (has links to spelling city, googledocs, and more.)

storybird.com

I use the mimio interactive whiteboard in my class: http://www.mimioconnect.com/

Some of the iPad apps I mentioned were:  Montessori 100 Board,  Montessori Crosswords, Starfall ABC's (and their awesome website www.starfall.com), Louie Letter Challenge, Make a Word, Rocket Math, Park Math, Mathboard, Montessori Approach to Geography, Teach Me K and 1st, Tales2Go, Talking Tom, Tap to Talk, Dragon Dictation

A couple of sites I didn't get to: http://livebinders.com/play/play_or_edit?id=63074 has resources for tech savvy teachers, and http://ieducationappsreview.ning.com/ is a site for educators to review apps, and lastly, some software I use to assess students; http://www.esgisoftware.com/ESGI/  -I love the reports I can generate from this program.

Some of the info I shared:


 "Three principles from brain research: emotional safety, appropriate challenges, and self constructed meaning suggest that a one-size-fits-all approach to classroom instruction teaching
is ineffective for most students and harmful to some." 
Teach Me Teach My Brain – A Call For Differentiated Classrooms - Carol Ann Tomlinson

Do not waste teaching time with technology; enhance teaching with technology.

improve traditional learning activities by:
1.)  saving time.
2.)  allow for differentiation to meet each child's learning needs.
3.)  motivating reluctant learners.
4.)  make learning fun.

Technology is NOT going to go away, and we are in the midst of a major sociocultural quantum shift. These technologies are revolutionizing the world our children will live in. So our task is to balance appropriate skill-development with technologies with the core principles and experiences necessary to raise healthy children.”
Modern technologies are very powerful because they rely on one of the most powerful genetic biases we do have — the preference for visually presented information. The human brain has a tremendous bias for visually presented information. Television, movies, videos, and most computer programs are very visually oriented and therefore attract and maintain the attention of young children. The problem with this is that many of the modern technologies are very passive.
The technologies that benefit young children the greatest are those that are interactive and allow children to develop their curiosity and problem-solving and independent-thinking skills.
ECT Interview: Bruce Perry Discusses the Effects of Technology on the Brain


Thank you for attending the session and asking such wonderful questions and sharing your own experiences.

Newer apps that I like :)

Before I share the new apps list, I want to say a HUGE thank you to all developers who offer free apps that are quality and educational.  Teachers often spend so much of their own money on the classroom- and I am no exception.  Money is tight everywhere, but enough so in my household that I have had to really reign in my classroom spending.  My own children have needs, and I have bills to pay, so justifying spending money on apps for the classroom is really tough.  And yet, they are so amazing for the children to use.  So THANK YOU for giving to young children by making such amazing apps and giving them away.  And thank you too to the developers who ask only $.99 versus $4.99 or more and those who make lite versions for us penny pinchers to try before we buy. 

And K.B., the ones with a AVA next to them are for you!  Well, for Ava, and all other adorable preschoolers out there! Theses are ones Lily loves and I like to see her play.

I have re-posted my previous list of favorite apps further below, but first, here are some newer ones for you to try:

Newer Free/Lite Versions

iTalk (use to record students reading and playback)
PhotoTouch ABC (asks child to identify letter, customizable)
PhotoTouch Sight Words (asks child to identify words, customizable)
ABC Magic Reading by preschool university (segment, blend words) I am not sure if this was free or not.  I might have bought it. But it is a very good app.
Dr Kids Lite (mixed feelings, this version has A-D.  I like the format and features a lot.  I would buy the full version, except I really don't like the accent for my class (English I think?- well I like the accent, but not for teaching American children phonics) and it's 5.99 (pretty steep considering I'd have to buy for all my iPads).
Whiteboard
Learn to read Z is for Zebra (ABC names, sounds)  AVA
my alphabet coloring book (simple, but well done)  AVA
Alphabet Zoo (cute cute cute)  AVA
Blobble Write- is really good for a free handwriting/letter formation app.  AVA
ACE learning combo pack (letters, animals, sounds) AVA
Long Division (great for 3rd and up) by Power Math Apps
Stack the Countries
Geared 2 (a slightly educational game that requires careful placement of gears.)
4 in a row  (aka as Connect 4)
caboose (patterning)

Flick Kick Field Goal Kick Off (fun game)
Ping Pong (fun, not educational)
Sand Slides (another just for fun game)
Mad Skills MX (was free on FAAD when I got, another fun game)
iassociate2 (this is for me- for fun and to try to exercise my brain)
Geared 2 (a slightly educational game that requires careful placement of gears.)
4 in a row  (aka as Connect 4)

Apps I previously recommended:

* app is free or has a lite version

Multiple subjects

Teach me kindergarten, (also teach me toddler and first grade)  only $.99 cents each

*ABC letters (mathaliens- also has shapes numbers)

*iplay and sing AVA

*dtdnumwhiz

ABC magnetic land  AVA

*Feed Me! 

*Doodlebuddy  AVA
*Puppet Pals
Drawing Pad  AVA

For literacy/writing

*pocketphonics 

*iwritewords (there is also a spanish version)

make a word

*Montessori Words

*Time Reading

StoryBuddy

StoryPatch
*storykit 
*tales2go (free for a limited time, definitely a great app!)

starfall ABC's     AVA

*magnetic ABCs 

*Alphabetworld

ABC magic

*ABC tris

*ABCmaze

*word magic

*abc phonics

*alphabet tracing

*play and learn

*ispelling

*madlibs
*shortwords

*RF Alphabet

*sightwords free

*wordfamilies

Books
*A-Z books (like the leveled readers website) has one free book levels aa-j
*alphabelch
*interactbooks
*Teddy'sDay

*Toy Story

*ireadingstoriescollection

*astorybeforebed

*ibooks

*feelings

*the grouches

*HumptyDumpty

*Dictionary (curious george)

*Read Me Stories

*jingle

*big secret

*Storychimes (multiple stories)

*Bookster

Animalia

*Meegegenius

Pop Out Peter Rabbit

Dr.Seuss ABC

Xmas Tale
*going places
*TTiptoes (tale of timmy tiptoes by b. potter)
*what's that you're eating?
*iReading HD17
There are also several Dr. Seuss and Miss Spider's lite versions available.

Math

Park Math 

*123tracer
counting (great for counting to 20 practice)  AVA

*Freddy Fraction
*acemultiply
*timestables

*Numbers (montessori)

*Mathtrain

*Make shapes

*Mia

*animals count

*sticker shop (money)

*Lets do math

*Math ninja (the kids LOVE this)

*times tables

*lets tans

*undersea math

*math circus
*kidsmath
*mathboard addition
*timestables
*clockmaster
*pizzamath
*fraction reducer
*acemultiply

Puzzles (my daughter loves these)

*Shapebuilder  AVA

*tozzle  AVA

*Anispy

Misc

*ForestFriends  AVA

*Animal match

*audio note

*idiscipline

*dragon dictation

*live notes

*ASL
*going places
*Free App a Day- 

Science/Social Studies

*NASA

*USA Free

*GoSkyWatch  AVA

*GoogleEarth
*speed geo lite
*Dinosaurs
*Wacky Safari free
*stack the states
*BrainPop

Games

*solitaire

*pocket frogs

*mx mayhem

*Talkingtom  AVA

*talking roby

*labyrnith

*cut the rope  AVA

*blowfish  AVA

*waterslide

*rollercoaster

*trace (super dorky illustrations but I love this!)  AVA

*square-off

*game room

*checkers
*snowboard
*chicktionary
4inarow
*canknockdown
*jellycar
*toyshop

iPad 2

I love the iPad.  I've wanted to buy one for my family since they came out.  When our school started using them I begged and pleaded and whined until I got 5 to use in class.  Then I got 5 more (well one is on loan from another teacher- I'm hoping she'll forget!)   I use one as my "Master" iPad- I try new apps, use it to record kids' reading, the students use it, I use it a lot myself, and yes my daughter loves it too.   But it's not mine.  I want my own iPad because I don't like using school property as my own.  When I let Lily use it I feel guilty.  I try to tell myself she's a future student... but that only helps a little.  I feel guilty putting on apps I enjoy. 

So, I am sitting here, at midnight, wondering how I can get my hands on an iPad 2 next Friday.  I just watched the video of Steve Jobs presenting the iPad2 and am a little worried about how much I want one. I guess I am just a big kid.  I am trying to convince myself that paying the wonderful woman who cares for my daughter while I teach isn't that important, or surely we can skip one car payment or...

I had planned to buy one as soon as the second gen came out, no question about it.  I viewed it as a reward for becoming a National Board Certified Teacher on the first try.  I didn't spend my Christmas or Birthday money gifts.  I thought that by Spring we'd be financially steady.  I "need" one for the two upcoming conferences I am presenting at- really, I'll be the only one who doesn't have one...  However unforeseen expenses have used up all discretionary funds. 

So, ok, I guess there's no iPad2 in my immediate future (although I did suggest to my husband that we cancel our cruise and get iPad2s instead.  He did not appreciate the sentiment.)  I am trying to tell myself to be grateful to have health, my family, a job, a home and so much more.  Perspective people!  BUT, I still really want the new iPad2.  Enough whining for now I guess. 

So how would I utilize the 2nd generation iPad in my Kindergarten classroom?
1. Camera (to take pics of kids, kids to take pics, kids to record their creations- lego, blocks, etc). 
2. Video (kids can read to themselves and playback, kids could facetime other students in other schools,  video presentations, record directions for playback)
I use my camera a lot in class and would love to use the new iPad instead.
3. LOVE the new garage band app (for the kids) and iMovie (for me). 
4.-6.  Thinner, lighter, faster!!!
I am sure I will find more reasons to need the new iPad.  I hope you can get one too.  Someday.

Getting Started with iPads

Check out this helpful site, created by a colleague of mine, about using iPads in the classroom- high school and kindergarten.   Jon Tienhaara is the assistant principal and 9th grade math teacher at our school and has been the one carrying out our iPad implementation project.  His site has a video, and step by step info on getting your own iPad project off the ground.

Ipads In The Classroom

Thanks for sharing Jon!

Teaching Tools: Math Facts

In my classroom I focus on friends of 5 and 10 (all the ways to add up to 5 and 10).  I use Park Math and a couple others (I reviewed them already here http://digitalkindergarten.blogspot.com/2011/01/teaching-tools-math-app-park-math-and.html) to teach K math skills.

In my role as a mommy though, I have a second and third grader who need to practice their math facts for fluency.  I have found several apps that meet my definition of a Teaching Tool and those are:

1) Rocket Math, Free (and worth buying full version for $.99- which I just did after convincing myself of how great it is!)

41 launches and only 2 medals?  My toddler has been helping me!

Rocket Math (made by Stack the States and Stack the Countries developer Dan Russell-Pinson) takes place in, you guessed it- space.  The player builds a rocket (many design options to interest kids and make them think about physics as well) and attempts to launch it into outer space.  You purchase parts when you solve math equations (chose from easy, hard+,-,x,/) to earn money.  If you successfully craft a rocket that can make it into space (not easy for the non scientific minded like me) you earn a medal depending on how well you know math subjects like money, odd/even numbers, patterning, etc. 

Fun Math!

Features: Up to five player profiles, ability to work out a problem on a scribble pad, great graphics and a really fun balance of math, creativity, science!

Rocket Math meets my criteria for
Teaching tools should improve traditional learning activities by (4.75/5 star rating):
****   1.)  saving time. (replace flash card time, on multiple subjects, with this practice- however kids could spend a lot of time fiddling with their rockets rather than the math- my suggestion would be to make them earn a certain amount of money before they can create or modify a rocket)
*****   2.)  allow for differentiation to meet each child's learning needs.  (Can choose from 5 (free version) 8 (full) missions when rocket is successfully launched- such as money, time, shapes... and add,subtract, multiply, divide to earn money) and 6 levels of difficulty.
***** 3.)  motivating reluctant learners.  (My 7 1/2 year old chooses to play it on his own even with non-educational games on his iPad).
*****4.)  make learning fun. (I think it's fun too!)

Others to check out- my husband says I need to clean my house and get off the blog, plus my child is out in the snow and I haven't heard from him in a while and we all know how dangerous silence is! so I am not going to go into detail... yet.





2. Long Division Drills by Power Math Apps (3.75/5 stars)- not extremely motivating, but good practice 


3. Times Tables (4.0/5) good drills along with modeling of how multiplication works.  Again, try the free version but I think it's worth buying.


4. Math Circus- (4.0/5)   not a practice app, but rather it has short clips that teach about multiplication and various strategies that can be used.  I make my son watch it (HE LOVES TV) when he struggles to multiply his 7's and 8's.  


5. Math Ninja (4.5/5 stars)- FUN!  throw ninja style weapons at robots who are attacking- earn more weapons by completing math drills- add,subtract, multiply, divide.  My favorite feature- if you get the answer wrong, it tells you the correct solution and you type it in.  I HATE (bad me, I'm trying to not use HATE! but we are all adults here right?) apps that simply move on to the next problem.  Free version available, but of course I ended up buying this one.

Interview Questions

I haven't posted for a while- sorry, sorry!  I can hardly believe the first 2 months of 2011 are almost over already.  I don't have anything amazing to share tonight, but I thought I'd post my responses to some questions I was asked about using iPads/tech in K.  

1.  How has the iPad changed the way students learn in your class?

The iPad allows for greater differentiation of instruction with immediate reinforcementwhen I can't be alongside a student.  They can move at their own pace more readily, and kids are less aware of what they can and can't do in relation to other students.

2.  Using the iPad in Kindergarten, do you see the students' age being a concern?

Actually, the age and development level of kindergartners make iPad's  ideal for them.     Young children instinctively reach out to touch items that catch their interest, and the simplicity and intuitive design of the iPad makes it easier for young students to use than any other technology I've used in the classroom.

3.  Does the iPad make any aspects of your teaching easier/more difficult?

The only "difficult" part of using the iPads is not having enough- they are a coveted item and finding ways to share them fairly is an extra challenge.  I could use them for even more parts of our day if I had a class set and wouldn't have to track who has had a turn, etc.

However, the ways the iPad make things easier is definitely worth all the times I'm asked- is it my turn yet?    There are several apps that have replaced using hundreds of manipulatives- which take valuable time to pass out and manage.  For example- instead of passing out 8 letters to each child for a making words lesson, I simply have them go to an app and pull up the needed letters.  This takes about 30 seconds versus several minutes (and no clean up).  Occasionally I need to occupy part of my students for brief periods (such as when I am working with a small group and another student needs assistance) I can direct my group to work with a specific app and know that they are working on a needed skill rather than waiting for me to return.  The portability of the iPads is wonderful too- throughout the day they might be on the floor with a student, at a table, go down to the library, the hallway, or even the gym.  The kids can carry them too. 

4.  How do you see the role of technology influencing your class in the future?  I think technology will influence all classrooms more and more in the future, and I welcome it in mine.  I consider using technology to do things that have been done "the old fashioned way" akin to using a microwave instead of a stove or driving a car rather than using a horse.  The old way works just fine, but there are definate benefits to using computers over handwriting for some projects, or an app instead of an worksheet.  Of course, new technology shouldn't be automatically considered superior to old ways- after all, if I want butter melted quickly I use the microwave.  If I want to bake a cake though, I need to take the time to use the oven for the best results.  My role as a teacher is to determine the best way to meet the needs of my students, using all resources available.

too much technology?

RANTING AHEAD, avoid if you're looking for useful info.  I said before this is a bit of a diary, so here is a post I wrote back in December but never posted.  Today I'm a little cranky so I'm not as positive as I usually try to be!

I read an article yesterday about parents fighting the increased use of technology in the schools.  I have a co-worker who believes that kids are entertained too much and chooses to eschew the use of technology in her classroom for the most part.

I obviously feel differently both as a parent and teacher.  I have no idea how to use an abacus and feel that a calculator is a better way to compute numbers (AND YES! we need to teach and know how to do mental math, but c'mon... for more than shopping and garage sales, more often than not I'll use a calculator). There is a benefit to doing things the way they have worked for years- such baking cakes in an oven, not a microwave.  Yet, I often choose to microwave items that I need quickly or aren't any worse off by using it.  I think there should be balance in everything and that as a teacher it's my job to meet the needs of my students- and for these digital natives, it's teaching digitally when paper and pencil isn't meeting their needs as effectively as I could hope.

Using an iPad to practice skills we'd otherwise teach using worksheets or flash cards is FUN and entertaining!  Why is fun bad?  Maybe it's the ECE teacher in me; but let's let kids have fun in school.  Why bore them to sleep?  My son bought a Brooke's Reader, second year book recently from our local Friends of the Library that is over a 100 years old.  He likes reading it, but the difference between that reading text and the current second grade ones are huge.  Would we go back to using black and white texts with a small font and few illustrations?  Why should technology be ignored because it's new or fun?

I agree with the parents in the article that kids get too much "screen time"  but I don't think that using computers in class for educational purposes should be considered screen time.

Teaching with technology rule number 2, restated.  Do not waste teaching time with technology; enhance teaching with technology.

I consider choice time in my classroom to be playtime; an opportunity for kids to develop social skills, make their own decisions, and a reward for all their hard work during the day.  I let them "play" with any of the apps on the ipads or any of the computer games and websites.

I have gone back and forth internally about whether to have 'fun' apps- ones that don't teach or practice skills on the ipad and computer for use during choice time.  The fun side of me won- I let the kids choose from toys and learning activities in class during this time- why should the ipad/pc be any different?  I do however have the rule that kids can't watch other kids play on the ipads/computers.  They can have a partner to play a two person game, otherwise children use the computers/ipads individually.  I think watching a friend play is similar to watching tv.

I don't think students should be playing with technology during teaching time.  If older students are using ipads or computers during instructional time they should be using them to take notes or practice the skills being taught, not messaging friends or playing games.  (Although I admit to doing both during boring conferences and meetings.)  I think teachers need programs (and they exist, but I am not familiar with them) that let them oversee student's ipads/ during class-time to eliminate off task behaviors related to the technology.