Technology
Although they are only in Grade 1, students are already accustomed to using a variety of technology on a daily basis. This is how I incorporate technology into our classroom.
Smartboard
I use the Smartboard for modeling proper printing, brainstorming, creating graphic organizers during discussions, etc. I invite the students to write their own ideas using the Smartboard pens, etc. The Smartboard is also used for educational video clips and Tumblebooks.
The "Special Person of the Day" gets to use the Smartboard for about 15 minutes in the afternoon (during Math Worktime). During this time s/he can write a sentence using the creative pen options or s/he can do an interactive math Smartboard activity (i.e. dragging various elements to create a pattern).
Mac Computer Lab
The students go to the Computer Lab once a week.
January 2014 - There are four students in the class who have started creating stories using "Story Bird". They are at a place in their learning that makes this tool perfect for them.
March 2014 - All the students are now using Story Bird. It helped with management (and popularity of the idea among the students!) to start a few students on it first.
A week after everyone was on Story Bird I sent this email to the parents of my students:
Hello families,
In LA we have been working on writing. The students have begun to create their own “story book” using an online tool called “Story Bird”. This tool lets the students choose a picture-theme and they create their storyline around that. Although I thought the students would like it, I didn’t
realize that it would be such a hit! At their request, I have agreed to let them have the log-in info and use it at home (under parental supervision of course!) The website is www.storybird.com.
You will find their username/password in their agenda.
They are excited to show what they have written so far!
Brianne Adrian
Montessori Grade One
The parents of the students LOVED this! Five parents have come to me or emailed to tell me that their children ask to go on Story Bird after school to write!
This is where learning is headed - there is no "school work" or "home work", just work!
Smartboard
I use the Smartboard for modeling proper printing, brainstorming, creating graphic organizers during discussions, etc. I invite the students to write their own ideas using the Smartboard pens, etc. The Smartboard is also used for educational video clips and Tumblebooks.
The "Special Person of the Day" gets to use the Smartboard for about 15 minutes in the afternoon (during Math Worktime). During this time s/he can write a sentence using the creative pen options or s/he can do an interactive math Smartboard activity (i.e. dragging various elements to create a pattern).
Mac Computer Lab
The students go to the Computer Lab once a week.
January 2014 - There are four students in the class who have started creating stories using "Story Bird". They are at a place in their learning that makes this tool perfect for them.
March 2014 - All the students are now using Story Bird. It helped with management (and popularity of the idea among the students!) to start a few students on it first.
A week after everyone was on Story Bird I sent this email to the parents of my students:
Hello families,
In LA we have been working on writing. The students have begun to create their own “story book” using an online tool called “Story Bird”. This tool lets the students choose a picture-theme and they create their storyline around that. Although I thought the students would like it, I didn’t
realize that it would be such a hit! At their request, I have agreed to let them have the log-in info and use it at home (under parental supervision of course!) The website is www.storybird.com.
You will find their username/password in their agenda.
They are excited to show what they have written so far!
Brianne Adrian
Montessori Grade One
The parents of the students LOVED this! Five parents have come to me or emailed to tell me that their children ask to go on Story Bird after school to write!
This is where learning is headed - there is no "school work" or "home work", just work!