Nearpod is AWESOME!

I discovered Nearpod on Pinterest as I searched for ways to use tech in my 1st grade classroom.  When you create a free account on Nearpod, you can search and download presentations (but there isn't a huge selection yet AND you have to pay for those) or create your own.  I created my own and attempted to embed as many different types of activities as possible to teach fact families and the connection between addition and subtraction.  So, you create the slides (which is super easy, if I can do it, YOU can do it!) and save the file in your Nearpod library-you can also share files with others. When you are ready to use a presentation, you receive a Join Code. Kids can access Nearpod by app, web address or a QR code, enter the code and an identifier, like student number or initials, then view the activities you created in a self paced mode or keep all students on the same activity at the same time. I embedded a short Discovery Ed snippet, basic teaching slides, multiple choice questions, questions with open ended answers and "draw it" responses. I especially like that I can open a student's drawn response on the smart board and have them come up to explain their thinking using Math Talk. I love that every response is saved, even a screen shot of the student's "draw it" response and the website/app keeps all of your reports for you.  What a great way to gather evidence of learning!! I look forward to using it again

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Google Earth on Earth Day!

My kindergarten students and I collaborated with Mrs. D'Elia and used Google Earth to study and visit the Earth, continents, our country, our state, our city, and even students' own homes!  We celebrated Earth Day and how we each fit into our big and wonderful world!

Beat the Afternoon Slump with Kahoot IT!

We played Kahoot It this afternoon to enhance our learning about Butterfly life Cycles. It definitely helps us beat the afternoon slump that can occur from time to time:)

Using Google Earth in SS

Today my kindergarten students used the Google Earth app to explore our world!  Mrs. D'Elia showed us how to find several key locations and introduced us to basic map skills and vocabulary (which ties in perfectly with the K social studies map unit).  We were even able to find our school and other surrounding places. My kids loved the 3D model of the Earth and being able to "zoom" in from our continent, to our country, to our state, to our city and finally to our neighborhood and school. Google Earth is definitely for students to explore! 

Creating "All About" Stories with StoryKit

Mrs. D'Elia and I collaborated to plan and implement a writing lesson that incorporated the StoryKit app.  The students wrote "All About" informational books.  The students included a title page, a table of contents page and 3-4 pages of informational text with illustrations.  Then they made their stories come alive by recording their voices reading the text to add this multimedia piece.   They emailed their final productions to me to share with their parents!  We had so much fun completing this project!

Volume Word Problems

VOLUME....Students wrote their own volume word problems.  They then used manipulatives  to show their answers and recorded how to solve the problems on their devices.  It was a great way to use good 'ole manipulatives and technology!!!  #mixingtheoldwiththenew 

Using the Number Pieces App to Learn About Volume

As part of our unit on volume, we made nets of greenhouses using the Number Pieces app! They LOVED it! :)