iPads in Primary

As you may or may not know, in Kindergarten through Second Grade, our classrooms have 1 iPad for every 4 students in their classrooms.   Each teacher is implementing these iPads in a way that best fits the needs of their classrooms, so it will not be the same in each classroom.  However, one of the questions that our primary teachers have been asked is what apps are on the iPads and where can we download them?   As of today, we now have these apps in a location for parents to see what apps are on the iPads and a link for you to download them.  Please take a moment to check out the new iPad Apps site and if you'd like, link it to your site!  If you have any questions, please let me know!

https://sites.google.com/a/d64.org/ro-ipad-apps/home

Check out the new RO iPad App Site

Leveled Readers & the iPads

Did you know, that you can access the Leveled Readers that are associated with Storytown on our iPads?   All you need to do is from an ipad, either scan this QR code below or go to this link.  If you are are not logged into your Google account, it will prompt you to do that first.  Then you can click on your grade level, choose your lesson, download the book, then open it in iBooks.  Quite a few teachers are using these for Running Records or in their classrooms during their reading blocks.

Do you need a step by step tutorial?  Check one out by clicking here.     If you'd like a handy print out with the QR code - click here and you can print it from Google Docs.    Let me know if you need any help!

Looking for Ways to use Comic Life?

I know back in January, I wrote about Comic Life.   However, recently I co-taught a fun project in 5th grade using Comic Life and I couldn't be more impressed with the results - and the students' creativity!  Walk past Erin McCoy's room to see what I'm talking about - they are awesome!!!

If you are interested in trying out Comic Life, let me know!  I'm always happy to help!!!

App of the Week: Creative Book Builder

Are you looking for a fresh way for your students to publish their work?  Wouldn't it be cool for them to write their own book?   If you think this is something that your students would be interested in, check out this app!

What is it?

Creative Book Builder is a fantastic app that allows students to create books in epub format, which can then be exported to iBooks and shared with others. There are a variety of instructional uses for this app, from using it as a publishing tool for project-based learning to a summative assessment at the end of a unit.  Students can embed images, audio files, video files, and write text.  The advantage of an epub document over a PDF document is that all of the media will be preserved and available for readers to interact with when the final product is published.  

Who is it for?
I can see this being used at all different grade levels, from a class book to students or groups of students creating their own books.   This can be use across subject areas as well - with an exciting way to share information.

One of other ITCs has also created a Google Folder with helpful how-tos on how to use Creative Book Builder in your classroom.  Click here to view her helpful tutorials.  Thanks to Amanda Pelsor for sharing!   I also found a very helpful slideshow in getting started with Creative Book Builder.  Check it out below.   Of course, if you want help, just ask!  I'm eager to try out this app with a class!

Check out How to Use Creative Book Builder by Penelope Doyle on Snapguide.

Socrative

After staff development day today, I know many people use Socrative as a part of their presentation.  I just wanted to share with you how it can be used with your students.   

What is it?

Socrative is a smart student response system that empowers teachers by engaging their classrooms with a series of educational exercises and games.  Teachers login through their device and select an activity which controls the flow of questions and games. Students simply login with their device and interact real time with the content.

What can I do with it?

Real Time Formative Assessment

Take a snapshot of student thinking through real time formative assessment. It's super easy to gather responses and get whole class participation. Just choose your question type, ask a question, and wait for responses.

• Multiple Choice Questions (Choices A-E)
• True or False
• Short Answer

Exit Tickets

Check in on your students' understanding as they head out the door. Gather responses on their comfort with the material as well as answers to questions you create in real time or prepare before class.

Quizzes (pre prepared)

You can create quizzes ahead of time and then assign them to your students to be completed as a class together or at their own pace.  You will be then e-mailed a report or download a report to your google docs after the quiz showing yours students performance.

Space Race

You can take your premade quizzes and turn them into a game!  Students will be grouped into teams randomly and they will race to complete the quiz together.  

What do I need to use Socrative?

• The teacher needs a computer or Smart Device with Socrative Teacher app loaded on it.  
• Our iPads currently do not have the teacher app. 
• The students need a computer or an iPad with the Socrative app 

App of the Week: Virtual Manipulatives

What is it?

This app is a a set of fraction bars to be used with students.  This app is meant to be used with direct teacher instruction, and give students the opportunity to interact with fractions, decimals, and percents right at their fingertips.   They are able to drag fraction bars on to their workspace, press and hold on a fraction bar to see an equivalent, as well as draw or show work using their finger and the pencil tool. This is a great tool for visual learners to see how fractions compare as well as spot equivalent fractions.  It's also great for students to see how fractions, decimals, and percents relate to each other.   

Who is it for?

I would recommend this app starting in second grade all the way through fifth grade.  It provides a great instructional space for teachers to instruct whole group or with small groups as well as allows a great opportunity for differentiating with the decimal and percent options.   As a visual learner I would of loved to of used this app for adding and subtracting fractions too!  This would be also a great app for student to use with the AirServer for those teachers 

CCSS Connection

Click here to see in detail how this app can help support the Common Core State Standards in math in grades 3-5.   Specifically:

• Develop understanding of fractions as numbers.
• Extend understanding of fraction equivalents and ordering.
• Build fractions from unit fractions.
• Understand decimal notations for fractions and, compare decimal fractions.
• Use equivalent fractions as a strategy to add and subtract fractions.

If you'd like a demo of this app or help implementing in your classroom, please let me know!  I'm happy to help!

App of the Week: Sonic Pics

App of the Week: Sonic Pics

What is it?

SonicPics makes digital storytelling fun and easy! Turn your photographs or pictures of student drawings or work into narrated slideshow movies to share! 

• Add images from your photo library or snap new ones with your camera. 
• Arrange your photos however you would like. 
• Record a voiceover narrating your images as you swipe through them. 

Once you are finished, you have a movie with your images synchronized to your narration. You can share your recording with students and parents. 

What can it do?

• Create and narrate custom photo slideshows.
• Records your voice while you flip through your images. 
• Automatically synchronizes your images to the audio recording.
• Present your stories on the SMART Board or projector
• Make movies of your images and narrations from the iPad.
• Record up to 60 minutes per session! 
• Easy image selection and editing. 
• Give images unique names and descriptions that can optionally be shown during recording.
• Build slide shows with photos from photo albums, camera roll or built in camera (great for taking pictures of student work). 

Who is it Good For?
This app is good for all ages.   Students in primary can take pictures and reflect on their work or build slideshows multiple images (pictures taken or drawn).   This app can be used more complex in intermediate with inserting images from the internet, students own photos, or drawings.  If you are interested in trying this with your students, let me know!  I'm happy to help!

CCSS Connection
Click here to see the connection to CCSS for ELA.

App of the Week: Comic Life

What is it?
Comic Life is an awesome app on the iPad that allows users to create comics from a variety of templates, or allows you to build your own.  You can integrate photos, drawings, pictures, and text to create the perfect comic.

Key benefits of using comics in education

- A great visual Representation of Knowledge
- Presents what is essential
- Easier to remember a visual graphic containing key information
- Engaging through thinking, creating and writing.
- Perfect avenue for writing dialogue
- Incites students with low interest in writing
- Helps organization through storytelling and storyboarding
- Using visual images convey meaning to a story or topic
- Develops creative and higher level thought processes
- Develops composition techniques through visual-verbal connections
- Enriches reading, writing, and thinking
- Serves as and assessment and evaluation tool
- Sequencing promotes understanding

Who is it good for?

This really can be used at all levels and across various subject areas.   Students can collaborate on comics or work alone.  Once the comics are finished, students can print them to display. 

If you are interested in giving this a try, let me know and I'd be happy to show you or model making comics in your classroom!

App of the Week: Missing Numbers

App of the Week: Missing Numbers

What is it?

Missing Numbers focuses on problems involving addition and subtraction. Initially students solve problems through counting all the objects visible or through partitioning or segregation and counting all the objects given. Missing Numbers encourages students to use more sophisticated strategies such as counting backward and counting on.   Missing Numbers scaffolds students through the use of seen and unseen (hidden) objects, allowing students to 'check' their answer by 'peeking' at the hidden objects and the ability to move objects to allow ease of counting.

Who is it good for?
This is a great introduction to problem solving for younger students.   The four different games allow a great opportunity for differentiation.  

• How Many - How many altogether?
• Show Me - Move the objects to show partitioning in subtraction.
• Addition - There are 11 altogether.  How many are hiding in my hand?
• Subtraction - There are 4 altogether.  How many are in the box. 

There is also a Teacher Tool available for you to create your own problems or equations.

CCSS Connection:  Operations and Algebraic Thinking
For specific standards, click on the links below.

• Kindergarten
• 1st grade
• 2nd grade

If you'd like to use this with your class, please let me know!  I'd be happy to help!

App of the Week: American Revolution Interactive Timeline

American Revolution Interactive Timeline

What is it?
This award-winning, graphically rich timeline, developed by The American Revolution Center, a non-profit educational institution working to build The Museum of the American Revolution, offers information and access to rare treasures from the Center’s collection that will be displayed in the new museum.  Designed specifically for iPad, the app offers beautiful imagery, video, and information through an interactive, zoomable timeline showcasing artwork, weapons, clothing, objects, and manuscripts from the Center’s collection. Image captions and video podcasts provide an overview of key milestones of the American Revolution.


Who is it good for?
5th grade for your American Revolution Unit.  This would work great with your Airserver too!

Want to see it in action or need help figuring it out?  Let me know and I'd be happy to help!

App of the Week: Educreations

Educreations

What is it?

Educreations turns your iPad into a recordable whiteboard. Creating a great video tutorial is as simple as touching, tapping and talking. Explain a math formula... Create an animated lesson... Add commentary to your photos... Diagram a sports play... With voice recording, realistic digital ink, photos and text, and simple sharing through email, now you can broadcast your ideas from anywhere.

Who is it good for?

This app can be used at all grade levels AND subject areas... in various different ways.

 TEACH WHAT YOU KNOW

• Help students with homework by working through an example problem.
• Put your lessons on the web so students can watch them before and after class.
• Tutor someone from afar.
• Showcase your video tutorials on educreations.com and share your knowledge with the world.
• Add your commentary to famous works of art.
• Diagram football plays, John Madden style.

FEATURES

• Record and replay your voice, handwriting and drawings

• Add text to any page

• Add photos from the iPad camera, Photo Albums, Dropbox or the Web

• Animate images by dragging them around while recording

• Pause and resume recording anytime

• Create multiple whiteboard pages

• Undo and redo your actions

• Choose from 10 different ink colors 

CCSS ties

This app would be great a great way for students of all ages to work on their Mathematical Practices in relation  to the various standards for their grade level. 

Click here for the Student Friendly Version of the Mathematical Practices. 

           

Record MP3

On Wednesday, I attended a conference geared towards primary students and using technology.  In the coming weeks, I'm looking forward to sharing many of these awesome resources with you.

Record mp3

This site allows you to record your voice or your student's voice.  It then turns the recording into a web address which you could turn into a QR Code that can be scanned on iPads, Smart Phones, etc. or you can keep it as a web address to share with parents.

My mind is racing about how to use this in the classroom!   I've spoken with a few teachers about these ideas...

• Recording a reflection on a piece created in art, then posting a QR code that can be scanned to hear the artist's reflection - OR even about an art style/concept learned in class and how they applied it in their piece.
• Recording a student's singing to be shared
• Recording a student's fluency passage 
• Recording a student reading a piece of their writing
• Recording directions to give to students... or homework!

The possibilities are endless!  Do you think you could have a use for this?   Leave a comment and let me know your thoughts!  If you'd like help integrating this into your classroom, please let me know!  I look forward to sharing a sample in the future.