iPad Essentials

Beginning last school year, Cristina and I began collaborating on an iPad series to help integrate technology into everyday classroom learning.  The over arching idea is that using technology provides unlimited opportunities to unleash student learning while developing the 4 Cs.

But I teach first grade, right?  So what does all this look like in a typical K-5 classroom?  You can read my first post about iPad Essentials Series 1 HERE to see students in action.  Be sure to come back because series 2 is going to round out a whole new area of learning for your class!

Series 2 has an overarching theme of communication.  The three components of this series will help develop the critical skill of effective communication.  Peer to Peer, Student to Adult, Student to Community

So let me share about series 2!

First, we wanted to tackle the idea of having students interview to gather information and report.  This was such an amazing way to bring a little bit of journalism into the classroom.  In this packet, students will become reporters.  In the video tutorial students will learn questioning technique,  such as the question words, how to ask open ended questions, and what an interview looks like.  They will also be able to use a graphic organizer to synthesize the information from their interview into a template for sharing.  We had a first grader interview his grandfather.  The outcome was something that will be treasured forever.  Students can interview classmates or even students in another grade level at school.  They can also take it up a notch and interview school leaders or administration.  There are question cards for all types of interviews included.

Second in the series, book reviews!  This is something that is going to breathe life into reading response!  Talk about student engagement and synthesis of information!  Students will use graphic organizers, cue cards, and a checklist to share a reading response on camera.  The video tutorial will not only take your students through this process step by step, but will also show real students and their reading reviews on camera.  This can be used as an ongoing center during your literacy block.   We have built in accountability with a project checklist.  There are awards that also correlate to desirable skills.

 
 Third in the series, {and possibly my fav!} Math Stories.  This one is going to be SO MUCH FUN as a math center!  Students build a math story on 4 story cards. (addition, subtraction, or take it up a notch with open ended and skip counting cue cards)  Once they have created a math story with the story cards and math manipulatives, they will create a math story using iPad.  The students took OFF with this one!  I can’t wait to get it going full time.  

 Picture highlights from the filming of the video tutorials

 

We bring the tech to you!  You do not need to know how to do these things before trying it out.  Each lesson packet includes a thorough lesson plan, step by step video tutorial for class {and teacher} and all the think sheets, graphic organizers, props, and teaching posters you will need to be successful.

Better yet, these have all been tested and tried by first graders and me, and iPad newbie 🙂