Shape Scavenger Hunt!

It might be a bit nerve-racking, but students can carry the iPads outside without dropping them. We went on a shape scavenger hunt and looked for 2-D and 3-D shapes around the school. Students worked with a partner to take photographs of shapes and then record it on their checklist. They took turns alternating between photographer and recorder.

Dental Health App Brings Smiles!

Colgate has a My Bright Smile app that helps students learn to become familiar with a dentist's office, how to brush correctly, why we floss, and which foods are good to eat for your teeth. The app is free and goes along great with February Dental Health month. My class enjoyed the five games and the brushing song.  It goes along with: Colgate's Free Teacher Resources.

Shape Hunt Fun!

We learned how to use the camera on the iPad and practiced taking pictures by going on a Shape Hunt. Students worked with a partner to find 2D and 3D shapes in the classroom. Once they found a shape, they took the picture of it. Then the photographer switched to the other partner. They found so many amazing shapes in the classroom! The teams shared their photos on the projector when finished.

Math Problem Solving

We started solving sea creature problems (addition & subtraction story problems) today. Normally, I would have students take out a whiteboard to solve the problems, but I decided to try the Math Learning Center's Number Frame app on the iPad.  You can draw, type or write numbers & symbols, or use ten frames/counters.

They worked in pairs.  One partner solved the problem on the iPad. The second partner watched them solve the problem and then was responsible for explaining their partner's work.  We projected the iPad on the screen using the document camera.  We had some great discussions and students realized very quickly if they forgot something or had something incorrect.  We could even have the first partner correct their mistakes with the eraser feature while the class watched.

12 Outlet Belkin Surge Protector Works!

Love the new charging station! It plugs in all 10 of the iPad USB adaptors. It has rotating outlets on the outside. Easy-breezy to plug everything in. Yeah!

Slate Math

We tried a new math app today. Slate Math is a K-1 math app. Students create an avatar and then complete different math skills in each level.  I had students work in pairs. Each student created their user (avatar). Once we had everyone set up we had half of the class work on another activity while their partner completed a Slate Math level.  Once they completed a level they traded places with their partner.  They continued to switch back and forth.  The math activities were engaging and provided good practice of math skills.  Students can select which level they want to work on, but they seem to get progressively more challenging so going in order is probably best.

*Management Tip*
Downloading a new app takes time to install on all of the iPads. I recommend installing the new app the previous day or earlier.  It took some of the iPads over an hour to install the app.  I had a couple that seemed to freeze up and were stuck in the download process.

Charging Challenges!

*Management Tip*
A 12 outlet surge protector will not hold 10 iPad chargers.  The USB Power Adapter is too large to plug in to the outlets side by side.  We tried different configurations, but were only able to charge 6 at a time.  Maybe we can get something like  Apple's Bretford PureCharge Station or another surge protector.

QR Codes

We used a new app today. I created QR Codes for the Littlerock Elementary webpage. Students scanned the QR code using the QR Reader for iPad app.  It worked like magic! They then followed directions to navigate to my teacher webpage and found the link to our class Wonders log on. They practiced logging in to Wonders on the iPads.

**iPad Management Tip**

All 20 iPads are in sync with one another--when you add an app it goes on all of them. However, I found out yesterday that when you delete an app off the iPad it does not delete it off all of them. I had to delete it off each one. Also, I downloaded the Wonders App so we could do the Connected Ed on the iPads. However, it does not look like you can use the simplified login so it doesn't work for our kindergarten students.

Finally, if you add any apps you need to make sure you turn on the iPads before the students turn them on. It took about 10 minutes for all the new apps to load. I think it must be similar to the running updates on the computer. You want to make sure you have downloaded the app by turning on each one before your iPad lesson.

They're a hit!

Our first attempt at the mini iPads went great.  I had two volunteers in the room to help, but the kids didn’t need much assistance.  They learned how to turn them on/off, how to swipe the screen, and how to use the home button.  They first tried out Math Learning Center’s Geoboard app with much success and enthusiasm.  We then switched to the Pattern Block app.  They enjoyed both activities and it worked fine to have them in partners.  Some of the students got to use the iPad on their own, too, since they were pulling students for Math DIBELS testing.  We're off to a good start!

iPads Here We Come!

Welcome to my blog about our kindergarten iPad pilot.  Littlerock Elementary's kindergarten classrooms are piloting iPad minis for the Tumwater School District.  Mrs. Robinson and I each have 10 iPad minis to use with our class.  I'll be sharing my stories in this blog so you can learn along with me.  Hopefully, sharing my experiences will help other teachers have a smooth transition into their iPad adoption.

Enjoy!
Mrs. Taylor

p.s. This blogging thing is new to me too.