Grade: Kindergarten

Teacher: Amy Finnen

Subject: Kindergarten Explorations on the iPad

So far this year, I have utilized the iPad in several ways. I use the iPad to take photos and post them directly to my Blog. I have downloaded several apps which students access to promote literacy and math skills. Students work with a partner on the iPad during a few scheduled times each day. There is a schedule rotation, so that students know when their turn is. I also can use the iPad along with the class projector to play interactive story books.

Posting to our class Blog directly enhances student learning by facilitating communication between school and home. Even though I think my learning activities are fun and exciting, I know that many students go home and say “nothing”, or “played at recess” when asked what they did at school during the day. When parents and children can sit down and view photos of what we did at school, it provides a springboard for conversation. When children talk about what they learned at school this further cements the learning that occurred. It also builds higher-level thinking skills as students think and talk about their learning.

Students also get direct access to the iPad during the day. Some of the apps that students work on are:

• Spelling Magic 1 (has a moveable alphabet that provides opportunities to build/construct words)
• ABC Pocket Phonics (students trace letters to learn correct letter formation and spell simple words)
• Montessori ABC for Kids (students learn and trace alphabet letters)
• Houghton Mifflin Readers (students can read books at their independent reading level)
• Storia (an eBook app where students can read books on the iPad)
• Bingo (students solve math equations and try to win at Bingo)
• Hungry Fish (students solve addition and subtraction problems)

Some storybooks we have read together are:

• Trees Grin
• Van Gogh and the Sunflowers
• Teddy's Day
• Green Eggs and Ham
• The Cat and the Hat