Although I love the convenience of apps and how they allow students to practice concepts during reading and math workshop, I also want my students to take it to the next level to create products that showcase their leaning with iPads as well.
Thankfully I have an amazing teacher friend in my district, Cristina, that shares this same passion. Cristina is an Apple Distinguished Educator. We were chosen to room together during a professional training for our district about a year ago, and we became edu-friends immediately! She and I have collaborated to give our classes opportunities to
create and synthesize new learning using iPads!
We set out to create
standards based learning opportunities for our students K-5. We made sure to differentiate for all learning levels. What is great about technology is that it lends itself to differentiation because it is controlled by the individual user. With clear guidelines, we can facilitate our 21st century learners to apply knowledge in a way that is engaging and meaningful for them!
Here’s a little video tutorial about what we have created.
Begin with iPad Basics!
Show the iPad basics tutorial to ensure that you are beginning your new level of learning with iPads with clear expectations. Once students had show mastery on the 6 basic rules for iPad, they earn iPad Citizenship. Holders of this license may use the iPad to make learning fun and meaningful! My students LOVED the built in quiz in this tutorial. We played an iPad rule scenario game to solidify their learning and posted the iPad class rules too!
More than just a Selfie- Using Adjectives in Descriptive Writing
This was a huge hit! After watching the video tutorial, we knew all about adjectives and using great camera app to capture emotion. We used our new knowledge to capture emotion, build a writing web, write descriptive sentences, and share our work! My students LOVE the tutorial lessons and let me tell you it is wonderful letting someone else teach for awhile exposing them to new learning experiences.
Movie Making
Students answered 4 essential questions about a topic of study to create
a polished movie showcasing their learning. Not only did we cover
science and social studies standards, but we also covered ELA standards
too! This was absolutely incredible. I can tell you that without the support of the tech videos, I would not have been able to expose my students to what turned out to be a highlight of our learning. They are so ready to take ownership of their learning. iPad allows them to do this!
These girls made a movie telling 4 reasons why we should take care of the Earth. They were watching their video in this picture.
To help keep students on track, students worked through a director’s think sheet and project requirements checklist.
These students are showing what the expectations are for working at your desk. They made a movie about classroom procedures. I plan to show it to my incoming students in the Fall. Full circle baby! Talk about authentic audiences.
These boys made a movie covering important facts about the weather. I loved hearing their science vocabulary as they acted like mini meteorologists on the local news.
These students shared an animal report about dolphins. (Ocean Animals)
Not sure how to teach these things? Perfect! We have created video tutorials that are like bringing in a tech teacher for your class or small group! You do not need to have experience to be successful.
Students watch the video tutorials in their small group, with a partner. or if you have enough iPads you can do these whole group! Students work through the think sheets and teaching posters to create a product! My students watched the tutorials over and over as they worked through their projects. Talk about high quality engagement!
Be sure to tell me what you think about using iPads in the classroom! I have enough for a small group. How many do you have?
Then visit my friend Cristina. She’s amazing y’all. We became fast friends and I know you will love getting tips from her like I do!
iPad Essentials
Animal Research Creating an eBook
iPad Essentials: Analyzing Weather!
Shock and Awe
You already know that I love everything you do but THIS! REAGAN!!!! It's AMAZING!!!!! I can't wait to get this up and running next year in my classroom!!
Kristen
Squee! So exciting! I have been looking for a way to integrate my iPads into my product based learning! Thanks!
AMAZING Reagan! I love this but have one question…where do the iPad cases you have come from?
Thanks!
Tammy
[email protected]
Storybook Cafe
http://www.amazon.com/HDE-Light-Weight-Shock-Handle/dp/B00EPIWY2U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1402161434&sr=8-1&keywords=ipad+cases+for+kids
I was just about to ask the same question, these cases look perfect for student use. Thanks for the info!
Is the screen covered, too?
In our district we can only use free apps –do you have a list of quality free apps! Thanks! Chris
Camera is a free App embedded in iPad 🙂
The apps used in this series are free or already embedded on iPad
This is awesome!! We had 6 ipads this year but will have a full class set next year! Can't wait to use this!!!
Rachel
A Tall Drink of Water
Love this! Will definitely be using this next year 🙂
You're so smart!
Jennifer
First Grade Blue SKies
I loved the way you broke this down for your students. Pinning it!
I LOVE this!! On my wishlist it goes!!
This looks amazing! I love the kid friendly iPad cases!! It's on my wish list!! Thanks for sharing your talent!
Rebecca
Teaching First
What a fantastic way to show them they are more than just giant ipods!! Great work!
Squirrels
Go Nutty with Me!
[email protected]
I can tell you are a fantastic teacher because of the way you broke this down for us. I can't wait to go beyond practice with my ipads next year. Thank you for sharing!
This is great, can't wait to use this next year, thanks!
Was the movie that you made done on the ipad? It was really well made.
Hello, I'm glad you liked it! The student sample was made with iMovie for iPad. The trailer was made on iMovie for Mac. 🙂
BRILLIANT!
I always love your stuff, but THIS is so innovative and just pure genius! Thanks!
Girl, I am moving to second grade this year and I am stoked about this. I used ipads alot with my fourth graders instructionally and this right here is just what I need to get my 2nd grade sweeties going! Thanks!!!
Thank you for sharing this information this is very nice blog thank you for giving this info
Groobers
This is so helpful!! My team was picked to move into new technology pilot rooms this fall, I'll have six (HOORAY) iPad minis to use everyday. I appreciate all these tips and videos!
Jenny Looney
Livin’ The Third Grade Dream
This is fabulous. I really want my kindergartners to get more usage out of the iPads besides just the apps. We will have 5 iPads in the fall. Do you think Kindergartners can do something similar?
Tiffany, this is Cristina. I teach K-5 and it is possible. I would take the steps to introduce the basics and learn about iPad as a learning tool. The activities are differentiated and will work for you kinder kiddos. I would practice and model in addition to the video modeling. I really think they'd be very comfortable and rise to the occasion 😉
Love your ideas! I like the balance of writing and using technology. My students enjoy making instructional and homework videos as well. Thanks for posting.
Outstanding post. I'm sure I will reference it throughout the upcoming school year as I find more ways to use the iPad in my class. Your packets look wonderful as well.
Thank you.
School Is a Happy Place
This is an awesome post! Will this work for my 4th grade STEM kiddos? I'm thinking yet but didn't know if it was too young. You are just amazing! What a gem you are to the teaching world and your kiddos! P.S. did I see something somewhere where you posted about the guided math training you did….or was I hallucinating? lol….or wishful thinking…:)
4th Grade Frolics
Great idea! I am looking for ideas to use the Ipads in my center/rotations with my Preschool children with Autism. They are mostly non-verbal. I am working on getting them to transition from Ipad to other activities with the least outburst.
Love the iPad bulletin board. All things I feel I say EVERY time we use them. Would be nice to have a cute visual to refer to instead. 🙂 Love your blog! I'm going to add it to my 'Links I Love' page on my early ed. site.
TeachTrainLove.com
Thanks for the great ideas! My school has a set of 30 IPads we can check out anytime. I've been taking an IPad class this summer called IPads as a Teaching Tool so we can do more with them than play games and your ideas will be perfect!
I have five iPads in my room (actually minis). One of my school goals this summer is to plan more ways to use them including some better training in how to teach the kids to to care for them. Loved your post! A picture of your classroom (a reading area) that I pinned last year is one of my most frequently repinned items! Come link up with me this week and share your classroom decorating plans or content plans! Thanks! Julie
Umm can I just say this is AMAZING! You have spring boarded my brain to have so many ideas! I can't wait to use our school's iPads in my classroom this year. Thanks for ideas
First Grade Fun with Mrs. Dunn
I love this blog! I applied to be a next gen classroom next year and got it! This means I will have tablets of some kind for all my students next year. I was hoping to start a blog myself to document my journey and hopefully help others. I was hoping I could mention/link your blog as a great resource. I also enjoy the movie maker writing template I already bought it off TPT I was wondering if there is a blank version to change the topics on the template so that I could use it with other lessons.
Which version of the Ipads do you have? Are they the "airs" or a different version? Thanks!
Will this be coming back to your store?
I love this idea and would love to purchase these, but I see that they are no longer in your store. Will they be coming back?
I got so excited reading this post only to find it is no longer available in TpT. Will it be coming back? I’d love to use it!
HI!
I’m very interested in your ipad essentials bundle!
Where can I purchase?
Thanks!
Karen