Nursery 1 students used the desktop computer’s webcam to record themselves singing the goodbye routine songs. Sometimes we use this video recording at the end of the day to say goodbye. Students enjoy watching each other singing. | |
As part of our study of planets in N2, we used technology to clarify doubts we had about the direction in which planets are located in relation to the Earth. We used the app Night Sky Lite on the iPad outdoors in small groups; each student had an opportunity to move around and look for other planets. We had very interesting conversations about why planets seem to be located somewhere around and even under our playground! Back in the classroom, we had a conversation as a whole group to answer our initial question: Are planets in space "up there", or is space is all around us?
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From switching on the lights to swiping our fingers across the iPad screen, all these tools require energy to function. In support of Black out Friday, a day where we are asked to consume less energy, children in PK-K 3 agreed to use less energy by keeping lights off, computers shut down, and the iPad stored. We even opted to not use fans, and instead opening our windows, keeping blinds up for natural light, and utilizing outdoor spaces to facilitate learning. So, how does an early childhood educator go about explaining energy to small children? In an attempt to initiate a discussion, I utilized this YouTube video. The discussion that followed allowed me to explain very superficially our use of fossil fuels, where they come from, and how it is a limited resource. Children came up with the analogy that our electricity is like our classroom basket of LEGO, we don’t have much so we need to take care of what we have. They also proposed that we change our current source of energy to solar power, as this is an unlimited resource.
PK5 Students explored various coding apps like Kodable, Bee-Bot, and The Foos. “When you learn to code, you start thinking about processes in the world” – Mitchell Resnick, professor of MIT.ed
PK 7 continues working on a project about ants. Children have been using the iPad and the computer to look for different anthills and types of ants. One of our students shared a video that he taped with his mother’s iPhone. After that, other children searched for anthills and also shared their videos. Mothers came to the classroom to show the video to the children using a phone. With this activity, children could see that there are different types of anthills.
Children continue sketching ants on the iPad using the app Smartboard. Their drawings are getting much better as they are able to see different ant pictures on the classroom screens.
Children continue sketching ants on the iPad using the app Smartboard. Their drawings are getting much better as they are able to see different ant pictures on the classroom screens.
In PK-K8, children looked on Pinterest for different ideas on how to decorate the plant pots they are going to give their mothers for Mother’s Day.
Students in PK/K9 are using the Smartboard and working in small teams of three to recreate blueprints and share ideas of items they would like to add to the pirate ship we will be building in our classroom loft. The children first worked in teams of two to create blueprint drawings. Now we have mixed up these groups and the children are redesigning and sharing their ideas in different groups and creating a different blueprint on the Smartboard. We are using technology to expand on their original pencil sketches.
Kinder 10 students created an ebook as a Mother’s Day present. The theme was taking care of the Earth. Each student shared a tip to teach others how to take care of the Earth. Then they painted a beautiful picture illustrating their idea. We scanned these paintings and recorded their voices in Spanish explaining their green advice. Then we helped each child translate and write up his/her tip into English. At the end, we put it all together to create an ebook using the app Book Creator.
I asked students what an ebook is and a student answered: It’s a book inside your iPad that you can see as a normal book but sometimes it has people talking.
This activity taught students about the process of creating a book and how technology can enrich our learning experiences. Now, students use the iPad to revisit the ebook. They are now familiar with what their friends say in the book and they enjoy retelling their part.
I asked students what an ebook is and a student answered: It’s a book inside your iPad that you can see as a normal book but sometimes it has people talking.
This activity taught students about the process of creating a book and how technology can enrich our learning experiences. Now, students use the iPad to revisit the ebook. They are now familiar with what their friends say in the book and they enjoy retelling their part.
The book was presented as a video during our Mother’s Day celebration. That same day, it was shared with all the mothers using Dropbox. Parents were able to download the book and open it using iBook. Children talk about reading the book at home with their siblings and parents using a tablet or a phone. | |
Kinder students in Spanish class are utilizing technology by:
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