The buzz all around Lindbergh is the iPad and how they can best be used in the classroom. I am very fortunate to have 5 student iPads and a teacher iPad. I spent a large part of my holiday break searching for FREE, educational apps appropriate for kindergarten. There are so many to weed through! I believe that half of the battle is simply finding what will compliment our curriculum, be intriguing to our students and is free.
Here are a few that I like so far:
Rhyming Bee: this game takes two word families and has students sort the bees to the rhyming word family. It bounces back if you chose the correct flower. Once you've filled all the petals of the flower, you move on to a new set of word families.
Number Magic 2: this app helps students practice their numbers 1-9. It helps with number recognition and 1-to-1 matching. They use beads, playing cards and the number.
Storia: which I think everyone knows about from Scholastic. I love that there are activities to connect to many of the books and there is an option to have it read aloud to the kids. The challenging part is collecting a nice library of books which each cost money. I have several free ones and I keep trying to save up my bonus points to acquire more.
Rocket Speller: currently my students are using this app. They love that they can build their own rocket by answering the questions correctly. Each "stop" the student has to build the word that the alien says out loud. Students listen to the beginning, middle and ending sounds and sort the letters. The early levels include the correct spelling to help guide the student. The letter bounces back if it is not correct.
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Google Voice
I recently set up a Google Voice account. With Angie's help it was so quick and easy! I sent an email to my students' families, requesting that they call in, state their name, and then tell me how they can show caring. Caring is our school's character word of the month. We don't have many days in December, plus there is a LOT of assessment and holiday activities. We don't often get a lot of opportunities to explore what caring means and how we can show it: especially in half day kindergarten!
I posted the phone number and an example of what I was looking for on my blog. I played the example in class and told my students that when they went home they should talk to their mom or dad and call in. I had 7 students call in out of 21. Not wonderful odds, but the content of what I received was so touching. To hear, directly from a 5 year old, how they can help their mom around the house or play with their sibling is very touching.
I played several of the examples in class and the students cheered for each other as if they were celebrities! It was a wonderful way for students to build each other up and show that they care for one another. I love that it allowed many of my students, who can not always communicate through writing, a chance to share their great ideas!! I plan on doing it again, but changing the activity to reading a list of 5 sight words, or read the attached sentence. I hope to post more great results on my blog!
I posted the phone number and an example of what I was looking for on my blog. I played the example in class and told my students that when they went home they should talk to their mom or dad and call in. I had 7 students call in out of 21. Not wonderful odds, but the content of what I received was so touching. To hear, directly from a 5 year old, how they can help their mom around the house or play with their sibling is very touching.
I played several of the examples in class and the students cheered for each other as if they were celebrities! It was a wonderful way for students to build each other up and show that they care for one another. I love that it allowed many of my students, who can not always communicate through writing, a chance to share their great ideas!! I plan on doing it again, but changing the activity to reading a list of 5 sight words, or read the attached sentence. I hope to post more great results on my blog!
Monday, November 26, 2012
Facebook in the Primary Classroom
Currently I communicate with my parents through email and my classroom blog. I have a website and will update it periodically, but mostly it is used as a resource for my "constant" information. I have been debating whether or not to start a facebook page for my classroom as well. It already seems like so much to keep up with; however, I am on facebook for my own personal connections. Making the switch from my blog to facebook might happen sooner than I thought after reading about Ms. Schoening's First Grade Class and their use of Facebook in the classroom.
There were several ideas that appealed to me as I read the article. I like the ability for students to have some responsibility in writing about the day's events. I am not the only one that has to be paying attention! I like that I can quickly remind parents about special dress down days or service learning project links, etc. I can also take picture or video of student work. I am able to do many of these things through my blog; however, I am not sure how many of my parents receive the message. With Facebook, the message will most likely be received immediately or within several hours.
I am most excited with the possibility of utilizing the events section. It seems so much easier to set up events and invite the parents through Facebook. We have an upcoming winter/holiday party. I could set up all of the important information and parents would be able to refer to it as needed. They could verify who was going or identify who could bring which items.
As a parent, I am thrilled that my son's teacher uses Facebook. I can see pictures or comments that have happened through out the day. As soon as I pick him up, I ask, "So it looks like you guys talked about the election today. Which candidate are you planning on voting for?" I can ask more direct questions and get more specific answers. At the age of 6, he is not reluctant to share, but I know I would continue to appreciate the opportunity to know what is happening in my son's life.
The question is no longer if I want to start a classroom Facebook page, but when would there be a smooth transition!
There were several ideas that appealed to me as I read the article. I like the ability for students to have some responsibility in writing about the day's events. I am not the only one that has to be paying attention! I like that I can quickly remind parents about special dress down days or service learning project links, etc. I can also take picture or video of student work. I am able to do many of these things through my blog; however, I am not sure how many of my parents receive the message. With Facebook, the message will most likely be received immediately or within several hours.
I am most excited with the possibility of utilizing the events section. It seems so much easier to set up events and invite the parents through Facebook. We have an upcoming winter/holiday party. I could set up all of the important information and parents would be able to refer to it as needed. They could verify who was going or identify who could bring which items.
As a parent, I am thrilled that my son's teacher uses Facebook. I can see pictures or comments that have happened through out the day. As soon as I pick him up, I ask, "So it looks like you guys talked about the election today. Which candidate are you planning on voting for?" I can ask more direct questions and get more specific answers. At the age of 6, he is not reluctant to share, but I know I would continue to appreciate the opportunity to know what is happening in my son's life.
The question is no longer if I want to start a classroom Facebook page, but when would there be a smooth transition!
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Learning from Diigo Groups
One of the Diigo groups that I joined is "Kindergarten Cove". I love that there are a variety of subjects, but I don't have to filter through the middle and high school links! Many of the bookmarks seem to catch my eye.
The bookmark, "Count Us In Games" looked like the perfect link after our team conversation with our principal. We had been discussing the Common Core standards for Math. Several of the ideas need to begin changing now. Our current group of kindergarten students will be in second grade and prepping for the standard test in third grade. They will be tested on the new set of standards that were put into place with the belief that they had been taught the previous standards. We will have failed them as educators if we don't present the correct information to them NOW.
The biggest focus of kindergarten seems to be on understanding formations of 10. Can they count to 10? Can they count BY 10's? Are they able to understand 10 frames and how the number 10 can be represented visually? Can they figure out which pairs of numbers total to 10? Although all of these questions are currently answered in our curriculum, the ability to manipulate and play with and feel secure in all of these ways could use some extra practice (especially in HALF day kindergarten)!
I was looking for a fun, interactive game that we could introduce as a whole group and begin to get more and more comfortable with splitting numbers, understanding the pairs that can create each one. This is when I found the bookmark http://www.abc.net.au/countusin/default.htm and instantly tried it in the classroom. The students were thrilled. I plan to play with it again as a whole group and perhaps even add in a little competition. Watch out Common Core standards! We are ready for you!
The bookmark, "Count Us In Games" looked like the perfect link after our team conversation with our principal. We had been discussing the Common Core standards for Math. Several of the ideas need to begin changing now. Our current group of kindergarten students will be in second grade and prepping for the standard test in third grade. They will be tested on the new set of standards that were put into place with the belief that they had been taught the previous standards. We will have failed them as educators if we don't present the correct information to them NOW.
The biggest focus of kindergarten seems to be on understanding formations of 10. Can they count to 10? Can they count BY 10's? Are they able to understand 10 frames and how the number 10 can be represented visually? Can they figure out which pairs of numbers total to 10? Although all of these questions are currently answered in our curriculum, the ability to manipulate and play with and feel secure in all of these ways could use some extra practice (especially in HALF day kindergarten)!
I was looking for a fun, interactive game that we could introduce as a whole group and begin to get more and more comfortable with splitting numbers, understanding the pairs that can create each one. This is when I found the bookmark http://www.abc.net.au/countusin/default.htm and instantly tried it in the classroom. The students were thrilled. I plan to play with it again as a whole group and perhaps even add in a little competition. Watch out Common Core standards! We are ready for you!
Joining a Diigo Group
I have joined 4 groups in Diigo and have created a group for my kindergarten colleagues and I to share information. The group that I am going to reflect on is Interactive
Whiteboards in the Classroom. I was searching for kindergarten flipcharts when I stumbled upon this group. I found some of the links helpful. I loved that I was able to see how many times it had been viewed and some of the comments were revealed. There is plenty of information at a glance so that I can quickly decide which bookmark will be most helpful.
One of the bookmarks that I enjoyed was a link to Spelling City that was set up for Veteran's Day. This helped open my eyes to other ways I could utilize SpellingCity.com for my students! I have been simply using it for our 60 kindergarten sight words. I have several students that could use some more challenging words. I was inspired to create more lists and allow students access to spelling city at computer/ipad center.
Another bookmark that had several positive comments was the Super Teacher Tools bookmark. While searching this site, it lead me to another site called My Instant Classroom and has a seating chart maker, a random name selector and a classroom group maker. Although this is not something I don't have created, I was eager to explore and see how helpful this sight would be with my teacher ipad. It would be a quick and easy way for me to have access to that information.
Finally, I checked out the bookmark, Fav Ipad Apps K-8. I wasn't sure what to expect, but when I went to http://askatechteacher.wordpress.com/2012/04/11/107-favorite-ipad-apps-for-k-8/ I found lots of apps organized by subject. I did not get a chance to explore all of them; however, the title and descriptions were detailed enough to see if they would be useful, but not lengthy and cluttered.
I am excited to see what other bookmarks my Diigo groups bring next!
One of the bookmarks that I enjoyed was a link to Spelling City that was set up for Veteran's Day. This helped open my eyes to other ways I could utilize SpellingCity.com for my students! I have been simply using it for our 60 kindergarten sight words. I have several students that could use some more challenging words. I was inspired to create more lists and allow students access to spelling city at computer/ipad center.
Another bookmark that had several positive comments was the Super Teacher Tools bookmark. While searching this site, it lead me to another site called My Instant Classroom and has a seating chart maker, a random name selector and a classroom group maker. Although this is not something I don't have created, I was eager to explore and see how helpful this sight would be with my teacher ipad. It would be a quick and easy way for me to have access to that information.
Finally, I checked out the bookmark, Fav Ipad Apps K-8. I wasn't sure what to expect, but when I went to http://askatechteacher.wordpress.com/2012/04/11/107-favorite-ipad-apps-for-k-8/ I found lots of apps organized by subject. I did not get a chance to explore all of them; however, the title and descriptions were detailed enough to see if they would be useful, but not lengthy and cluttered.
I am excited to see what other bookmarks my Diigo groups bring next!
10 tips for PLN's for Educators
This article was written by Dr. Mark Wagner.
Connect, build your relationships and be patient are all key phrases that stick out in my mind after reading this article. With all relationships in life, you have to nuture them and then watch them grow and strengthen. Professional Learning Networks (PLN's) are no exception. I was humored by the idea that I am looking for another "relationship" I have to nuture. My hands are full with the ones I have now and I can't keep up! What Dr. Wagner helped me to realize, is that I may put the time and energy into building the trust now; however, when I am need of some assistance, opinions or resources, the response will often be quick and plentiful.
Where to begin? I am very fortunate to work for a district that offers professional development. I don't have to do the research to discover what might be the best tool to help. As I attend each professional development, I am given another resource, website, web browser, social networking site, etc. that can help me grow and help my students thrive. Often I feel like I could use the same session twice ;) I need just another "run through" so that I can really feel comfortable with the program. (I can't believe I am THAT person!) I am given an opportunity to set up my connections.
The next step is to help build the relationships. As I stated earlier, I don't feel I have a great deal of time to devote to nuturing these relationships; however, how often do I spend several hours searching for new ideas or activities to match the curriculum? If I had put this time into developing my online relationships, I could save time when collecting new activities. The Core Curriculum is a VERY large part of my future in teaching. I need to reflect on the resources that I have gathered and which ones to continue with. Are they the best way to help my students achieve success? While working through this process for the next two years, it would be helpful to turn to my PLN across the US and find out what they are doing to help deliver the best lessons to their students.
Finally, "Be Patient". As a kindergarten teacher, I am ALWAYS searching for more patience. My 21 little friends have taught me the importance and the rewards of showing such extreme patience. In our fast-paced, instant-gratification society, patience has to be practiced. Learning comes with patience. Just as I would like to receive a second session from our Elite team, students want an opportunity to discover, fail and learn from those mistakes. I have to have patience and allow myself those same opportunities.
Connect, build your relationships and be patient are all key phrases that stick out in my mind after reading this article. With all relationships in life, you have to nuture them and then watch them grow and strengthen. Professional Learning Networks (PLN's) are no exception. I was humored by the idea that I am looking for another "relationship" I have to nuture. My hands are full with the ones I have now and I can't keep up! What Dr. Wagner helped me to realize, is that I may put the time and energy into building the trust now; however, when I am need of some assistance, opinions or resources, the response will often be quick and plentiful.
Where to begin? I am very fortunate to work for a district that offers professional development. I don't have to do the research to discover what might be the best tool to help. As I attend each professional development, I am given another resource, website, web browser, social networking site, etc. that can help me grow and help my students thrive. Often I feel like I could use the same session twice ;) I need just another "run through" so that I can really feel comfortable with the program. (I can't believe I am THAT person!) I am given an opportunity to set up my connections.
The next step is to help build the relationships. As I stated earlier, I don't feel I have a great deal of time to devote to nuturing these relationships; however, how often do I spend several hours searching for new ideas or activities to match the curriculum? If I had put this time into developing my online relationships, I could save time when collecting new activities. The Core Curriculum is a VERY large part of my future in teaching. I need to reflect on the resources that I have gathered and which ones to continue with. Are they the best way to help my students achieve success? While working through this process for the next two years, it would be helpful to turn to my PLN across the US and find out what they are doing to help deliver the best lessons to their students.
Finally, "Be Patient". As a kindergarten teacher, I am ALWAYS searching for more patience. My 21 little friends have taught me the importance and the rewards of showing such extreme patience. In our fast-paced, instant-gratification society, patience has to be practiced. Learning comes with patience. Just as I would like to receive a second session from our Elite team, students want an opportunity to discover, fail and learn from those mistakes. I have to have patience and allow myself those same opportunities.
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