Fraction Apps

Today we used two different apps in class to test our knowledge of fractions.  We used the Thinking Blocks by Math Playground to help us with problem solving with fractions.  Students have to use models to help build the concrete understanding of what they are trying to find in the question.  This gives great problem solving practice as we close in on the EOGs. Students can use the space around the problem as a whiteboard to do their math work.  This app is very interactive and highly engaging!

The other app we used is Fractions by Brainingcamp.  Students work through activities finding common denominators, adding and subtracting fractions, multiplying fractions, etc. This app is differentiated with lessons, manipulatives, questions, and challenges for all levels for students. These problems also appear as though they are on a whiteboard where students can do their work right on the screen.

This app even helps students see what the common denominator is of these fractions. Students are loving this app!

App Smashing Vocabulary

Using the vocabulary we have learned from the article we have been reading in class, we did some App Smashing.  First, we found our own meaning of the word, paraphrased the meaning and then used the camera and photo slideshow to show what we learned.  Students were to find a picture of the word (screen shot), take a picture of their word and definition written and created a slideshow of their work.  Students then either emailed or photoshared their slideshows with me.  Students were able to use their devices to search for pictures, definitions and take pictures of the words or their handwritten meanings.  Students really enjoyed using their device to share their understanding

Main idea and details

I chose to use Caroline's idea to use linoit.com as a student response after reading nonfiction. My students read a scholastic reader about the wind then met with their groups to discuss the facts in the article.  After that we pulled out our devices and scanned a QR code to take us to linoit.com.  There, the students typed on the stickies the facts they read in their articles.  We then discussed the stickies and categorized them based on their topic.  We then looked at it as a whole to figure our the main idea.

After discussing with Caroline I found some helpful hints to get me started, especially for the young'uns.

I started by introducing them to lino. They worked in groups to scan a QR to get to lino.  They then pulled a sticky and typed their names.  For students with devices from home, their friends spelled their name and they typed.  This helped them get used to collaborating with the device even though everyone couldn't touch it.

The next day we got back in our groups, scanned a QR and went to a different lino.  Students worked together to say a sentence with the word where.  They then typed that sentence on a sticky. For students with dictation enabled they were able to say their sentence and didn't need to type.  We also found the suggested text to be helpful to build sentences.  Students quickly figured out how to select the suggested text and if they didn't see the word they wanted, they started to type that word and it would show up.

I was really worried about having kindergartners type... BUT... it was not scary!  The auto-correct was a BIG help!

I'm providing links to the linos we made so you can see all the hard work!!

names

using where in a sentence

wind

Linoit in First Grade!

Today we used Linoit in Readers Workshop. We were comparing two scholastic news articles on weather. My first graders started by adding a sticky for any fact they learned from the text. As a class, we categorized the stickies by color to decide if it was unique to the text or a similarity about both text. I plan to have kids decide the main topic of each text based off of their sticky notes on Monday.

The best part: Some of my students had a hard time with typing into their sticky so a PROBLEM SOLVER figured how to continue. One of my students discovered that instead of typing their response they could use the voice recorder on their device to add a note quickly.

Another neat part was when a few students began editing their stickies by changing the color to match. They are in First grade and they self-corrected their own work without me asking them to do this!!!

Check it out: http://en.linoit.com/

Popplet ~ All About Writing

My first graders love the Popplet app! Can you tell by their faces?!?  After using the child friendly search engine, One Key, to research an animal they gather and organize their facts on Popplet.  They worked together based on which animal they chose to write their All About piece about.  My students that have brought their own devices have even created Popplets at home for fun.  :)  Popplet allows the student to add bubbles around a main bubble similar to a bubble map.  They can add text, photos, or drawings in each bubble.  

Fun and Safe Research!

My first graders had a great time using the website Onekey to research new information for their All About Books in Writing. Onekey is a safe, kid friendly search engine. The students had a great time working together to find new facts to add to their writing!

Look how awesome they are!  If my six year olds can do it...so can you!

Webquest

In class today we learned about air pressure by using a webquest.  Students scanned the website using a QR code and then researched the webpage to answer the questions and learn about air pressure.

Poll Everywhere

We started fractions on Friday and I used the website Poll Everywhere to ask the students questions. Students went to my page and then typed in answers to my questions. As they did that their responses came up in word clouds. The more they said a word the bigger it got on the screen. We discussed why the words were bigger and how they were important!

Kahoot in First Grade!

Thanks to Mr. Smith's awesome presentation at my BT meeting, I tried out Kahoot as an engaging review for 3D shapes. I created my own quiz but there is also an option to search differing topics.

After students found the browser on their device, all students were able to find "Kahoot (Quiz Launch Page)" on our student links page.  Students then typed in the "game pin" (on SMARTboard) and "nickname" to begin the quiz. It was a great way to check-in with my 1st graders while they were discussing which answer to choose with their group.

Try one out!

It's All About The Bones!

In Third Grade we spend a unit in Science learning about the human body. One area we focus on is the skeletal system. We have been doing a variety of exercises to learn the purpose of our skeletal system, we've done a few activities researching in the computer lab and today we created this art project to show the basic bones that third graders should know.

After we completed the art project where they had to use their device to find where the bones go they were to complete a scavenger hunt on Mrs. Pysch's Activity tab on the 3rd grade website.

They recorded their findings as they worked through each step.

Helping Students Stay Organized

Mrs. Hunsberger helps students add major class events to their events/reminders applications.

Using QR Codes in PE

Mrs. Miller printed out  QR codes to help her class access an assessment to gauge student understanding of basic football knowledge. The students grabbed an iPad cart, and quickly scanned the code to take them to the website.