Food Chains

Padlet

Before we begin a new concept, we create a new board and then post all of the things we already know about the concept. We also post what questions we have or what we would like to learn regarding the topic.

Before Beginning Food Chains

After we have learned about the concept, we revisit Padlet and look at our board from before. We look to see if we were able to answer our questions. We then create a new board to post about all of the different things we learned.

After Learning About Food Chains

Magnetism

QRReader - Magnetic/Non-Magnetic

After learning about magnetism, the kids were given an assessment using the iTouch/iPads. Pictures of different objects were numbered and posted around the room with a QR code attached. The students searched around the room with a recording sheet where they recorded their answers prior to scanning the QR codes. They were to record whether or not the object in the picture was magnetic or not. They also had to give an explanation to justify their answer.

Character Traits

Pic Collage - Character Traits

The kiddos always enjoy studying particular characters in their reading and learning about different traits to describe those characters.

This year we wanted to make the lesson a little more interactive and allow the kids to use their creativity on the iPads.

For this assignment, we used Pic Collage. Beforehand, I created a template for the students to follow. This also made them aware of everything that needed to be included in their project.

Template

I loved the way these turned out! Each group was able to show their understanding of character traits while also being able to use technology in the classroom.

Summary/Retell

Book Creator - Summary/Retell

In guided reading groups, once a group has completed a book, we try to extend it with technology. Each group member is assigned a chapter or two. They write a summary about each chapter and then create an illustration to depict what their chapter was about. 

Then, in Book Creator, they take a a picture of their illustration and record their summary on that same page. When they are all done recording, they have created their very own digital summary of their guided reading book.

Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus

Problem Solving

QRReader - Problem Solving

Rather than only using pencil and paper, we have been incorporating our iTouches into our daily problem solving.

The kids solve the read and solve the problems with whichever manipulatives they need, and then they check their work with the iTouch. The kids have really enjoyed getting to use the iTouches on a daily basis.

If a student's answer is incorrect, they then go back and work through it again to find their mistake. 

Forest Animal Research

VoiceThread - Forest Animal Research

Last year in Science, we did a big unit over the three types of forests and the animals that live in each. At the culmination of our unit, we used VoiceThread to create a video about the animals and forests we researched.

Click the link below to view our VoiceThread!

Forest Animal Voice Thread

PowerPoint

PowerPoint - Arctic Animal Research

Traditionally, once we complete our animal research, the kids took the information they compiled and put it into a PowerPoint presentation. While I loved getting to see what the kids were able to create, I am so much happier with the results we get when we allow them to use the iDevices and corresponding apps. This kids have been embracing technology you you'd never believe.