Augmented Valentine's Day

Our Valentine's Day party was pretty typical: First we played Valentine Jingo (like bingo), ate too many cookies, and then exchanged our cards. But....Today's party ended like no other! Using the Heart Cam app my students got to take a look at what a real heart looks like. This clever app uses augmented reality to create the illusion of an open chest cavity and a beating heart. Using the printed trigger page, the students were initially shocked at what they saw, but then had fun zooming in and taking a good look at what their own heart might look like.

Happy Valentine's Day! 

Awesome Math App - Count & Grow by Urbn;Pockets

I love Count & Grow! It's a great math app by Urbn;Pockets that my students use during math rotations to help build their math fact fluency. Check out the tutorial I created:

 

Count & grow tutorial pdf from Wezie Morgan

This app is different because it's not just fact recall. Students must use higher order thinking skills, number decomposition, and fact families to solve the fact. They are given the sum (whole) and it's up to them to come up with the addends (parts).  I also like that there is not just one right answer. Students will discover different ways to make the same number. They will also learn how to use more than two numbers because the more numbers they use, the faster they will win the round! This app is excellent "drill for skill" practice!


*Redemption codes provided by Urbn;Pockets, but opinions are my own.

Fun Maps for Kids and Layar App

I just received my new personalized classroom Interactive Fun Map from Fun Maps for Kids!  I can't wait to hang it in a low spot in the classroom so my students can enjoy learning about the world using Layar - an augmented reality app.

I added a personalized title at no extra cost!

Using the Layar app on our iPads, the students will learn about the world's continents, landmarks, and animals. There are over 80 interactive objects on the map. When they click on an object, audio and video appear right on the screen! This map has arrived just in time for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia. We will be talking about the athletes and the different countries they represent. This map will make an excellent companion to our class discussions. 

click on the 3-D images and learn! 

According to the Fun Maps For Kids website, new content will be introduced monthly so the map will constantly evolve and students will continue to learn new and exciting information about the world.



  *This map was purchased. All opinions are my own.

iPad Integration That Works!

Back in November my class received 10 iPads from our technology department and we were told to "have fun". Our district has gone 1:1 in the secondary schools, but we are only one of two elementary classrooms that recieved iPads. Of course I was thrilled, but then I realized that I would need to spend some time thinking about how to successfully integrate them in to our daily routine and find apps that would fit our curriculum. 

We spent the first few weeks exploring the camera apps, creating blog posts on Kidblog, and using Tellagami. But I knew that I wanted them to be part of our Daily 5 and math rotations, so I spent some time talking to other teachers to learn how they are using iPads and finding the best apps to use. 

For our Daily 5 rounds, I found apps for Word Work, Work on Writing, and Read to Self. I set up folders on each iPad so when the students are doing a rotation, they know which folder to open. 

The folders help keep the apps organized. When they have free time they know they can also use the "games" folder, but that one is off limits during our rotations.

To manage all of the apps and 10 iPads, I am using a MacBook Air with the Apple Configurator app. This allows me to search apps at the iTunes Store and then load them to the ipads all at once, using what I call "mission control", a charging device where all of the iPads can be plugged in and managed at one time.

When new apps are added, I simply slide them into the folders. There is a way to set one iPad the way you want it and then duplicate it on the rest, but I have not ventured that far yet.

Our folders and apps

Reading

Generally, the students use "real" books for Read to Self and Read to Someone, but I have created this folder to give them some variety.

 National Geographic books are great for Read to Self. I have also added the Augmented Reality App 

IMAG-N-O-TRON (.99 - not free) 

that goes with the book "The Fantastic Flying Books of Morris Lessmore"

Word Work

There are lots of great apps for spelling, phonics, and grammar. Elephant Feed and Octopus Feed are 4 player games that focus on homophones and synonyms. Spell Sam Spell is also very popular.

Work on Writing

Students use a variety of methods for writing including journaling, the writing process, and blogging. These apps are great for impromptu writing.

Students use Kidblog on our desktops and the iPads. Write About This is a fantastic app that gives a picture and a prompt. Students write and record their voice. It works well for a 15-20 minute rotation. I use the FREE version.

Math

We do one math center per day - 4 days a week for about 20-30 minutes.

We just finished a unit on geometry. There are some fun tangram apps and a geoboard apps. We also used the PBS CyberChase Shape Quest augmented reality app using the printed game board. Math Vs. Zombies and Monster Numbers are also great for fact fluency. 

Create

One of my goals with iPads is for the the students to create content for their digital portfolios. I am still working on the work flow, but there are some really good apps where the students can create and share their learning. Each student has a Kidblog for their content. 

Examples can be found HERE. 

There are many content creation apps that are kid friendly. Generally, when they create something, we save it to the camera roll and then upload it to their blog (with my help). 30 Hands, Educreations, Show Me, Tellagami, Sock Puppets, and Haiku Deck allow students to add photos, videos, text, and voice. 

Games and Hour of Code

These apps are used for free time. We do hour of code in our computer lab as a whole group, but I added the apps for the students who really enjoy it. Mr Crab and Egg Race are the most popular games.  

I have only asked to purchase one app - IMAG-N-0-TRON because you have to buy one license per ipad. So the entire purchase was $10.00. There are some apps, such as Write About This,  that would be nice to have the full version of, but for now the free version works fine.

Rules and Safety

I spend a lot of time reviewing the apps with my kids and showing them how they work. Many of the free apps come with the option to make in-app purchases. They are restricted from doing this, but clicking on the links takes them away from the app. They are learning where to find the little "x" that closes the advertisement. 

Also, the headphones can be an issue. We keep them wrapped up in a tub by the iPads. If they are using an app that has sound, they can use the headphones. Of course, the cords get tangled and sometimes the kids have trouble getting the jack securely in the iPad. We have a few "experts" in the classroom who are really helpful when tech issues arise. 

Hygiene

We keep a bottle of hand gel by the iPads to use before picking one up. Every few days, I wipe the screens down with a very soft, damp cloth. Using cleaners is not recommended on the screens or screen protectors. 

What am I doing?

So now that I have my kids fully engaged, you are probably wondering what I am doing. Having the iPads has created some additional work for me, but using them as part of our Daily 5 and math centers has really freed me up so I can meet REGULARLY with my students! The iPads are not a replacement for good teaching - they are a supplement.

Having Fun and showing our learning

The instructions were to have fun, but more importantly my students are learning how to use the ipad as a learning tool for creating and communicating. It's not a replacement for a book or something to keep them busy. It's a powerful device that turns my classroom into a 21st century learning environment!

I Hope This Helps

There are many, many resources out there for iPads in the classroom which I found very helpful. But, to make them work in my classroom took time and and consideration. What works for me, may not work for you, but I hope I have at least given you some ideas on how to successfully manage and integrate your iPads in the classroom.

Bouncy Bands Review

A few years ago I did a post called "Busy Feet" about active students and a device that my vice-principal came up with to keep the feet busy and the brain attentive.  While this device was helpful, it was noisy and it didn't keep the student engaged for very long. 

Last summer I was contacted by Scott Ertl at Bouncy Bands about reviewing his product.  It's different from the "busy feet" device because it allows the student to not only bounce their feet, but they can also push and pull the stretchy band. The resistance allows for the student to really work their legs and feet and control the energy. 

The original Bouncy Band
I have been using the first set since the beginning of the year. It's made with pvc pipe and the inner tube of a bike tire. The tube is tied tightly to the chair legs and the pvc pipe prevents the tube from slipping. After two days, my active student had loosened the knots and they had to be retied. I pulled them really tight and haven't had a problem since.

New and improved version:
Scott also sent me the new and improved version of Bouncy Bands which uses a heavy rubber rope that has loops on both ends to prevent coming untied. I am very pleased with the results of this product!

The loops on the rubber rope just slide right on the desk legs. If it's too long, just tie a knot in the rope to tighten it up! 

Great for test day!
An elementary principal has ordered Bouncy Bands for all of her 3rd-5th grade students to help them stay focused and attentive during testing! It started with one class where every student had a set, but they were so popular the principal decided to try them for everybody!

FAQ's Are Bouncy Bands only for students with ADHD?

No. While students with ADHD are extremely appreciative of being able  to move without getting in trouble, many other students who are not  diagnosed with ADHD benefit tremendously from Bouncy Bands as well.  Others who enjoy Bouncy Bands include students with: Test anxiety Learning disabilities Social anxiety Asperger's Syndrome  A need for movement instead of staying sedentary for hours Kinesthetic learning as a primary learning style

For more information please visit BouncyBands.com

Frugal Teacher Picks for The Edublog Awards 2013

In addition to The Frugal Teacher, I also have a class blog: Mrs. Morgan's Superstars. I actually spend more time on our class blog during the school year because I like to share what our class is doing and it is a "hub" for my students and their parents. They can access many sites and other information both at school and at home.  I use Edublogs as the platform for this blog. Edublogs uses a Wordpress format and it is designed specifically for teachers. 

Every year, Edublogs presents awards to educators and students in many different categories.  The purpose of the Edublog awards is to promote and demonstrate the educational values of social media.  In addition, the award process gives us the opportunity to find new educator resources that we may not have otherwise found. 

Mrs. Morgan's Superstars has been nominated for an Edublog Award! We were nominated for The Best Class Blog by Nancy Jo Lambert, a librarian in Frisco, TX. I feel very honored to be nominated by one of fellow educators.  

To vote for our class blog, please go HERE.

I would also like to recommend some other nominations. I have been very involved with The Global Classroom Project for over 3 years and several of our members and affiliates have been nominated for awards in other categories. I also have an amazing PLN on Twitter and have included some of them as well. It is very hard to choose just one per category, so I have included two or three along with links to their sites.In most cases, I have had personal contact with all of these nominees. My opinion is based on my knowledge of their work and contribution to education. Please take time to visit the sites so that your decision is based on your own evaluation, not mine. 

Best Class Blog (besides mine :-) - Vote HERE
Mrs. Yollis' Classroom Blog
A Room With a View 

Mrs. Hamman's Class Blog

Best Group Blog - Vote HERE

The Nerdy Book Club
Two Guys and Some iPads

Best Library/Librarian Blog - Vote HERE

Ruth Borchardt Elementary Library
Curtis Elementary Library 

Best Teacher Blog - Vote HERE
MattBGomez
Krissy Venosdale - Venspired 

Best Individual Tweeter - Vote HERE
@techninjatodd - Todd Nesloney
@rafranzdavis - Rafranz Davis
@donalynnbooks - Donalynn Miller

Best Twitter Hashtag - Vote HERE
#globalclassroom
#comments4kids

Best Podcasts or Google Hangouts - Vote HERE
Techlandia
Two Guys and Some iPads
TeacherCast

Best Educational Wiki - Vote HERE
The Global Classroom Project
Save Our Rhinos!
Genius Hour

Best Open PD / Webinar/ Unconference - Vote HERE

Global Education Conference
Classroom Live 2.0

RSCON

Best Educational Use of Social Network - Vote HERE

Hello Little World Skypers

Lifetime Achievement - Vote HERE
Anne Mirtschin @murcha
Peggy George @pgeorge

THANKS!

Connect2Texas - A Great Resource!

For the past two weeks we have had a Texas Critters Discovery Trunk in our room that was sent to us from The Texas Wildlife Association. The trunk contained pelts and skulls of a white tailed deer and a raccoon, skulls and feet of a red-tailed hawk and a wild turkey, books, rubbing plates, and a newsletter for each student. We had a lot of fun exploring the trunk and learning about native animals of Texas.

skulls and feet

bird calls and replicas of an Armadillo and Texas Horned Toad

The students had fun with the rubbing plates and used the books in the trunk to identify the animals by their footprints.

I found out about the trunk through Connect2Texas - a great resource for educators:

Connect2Texas is a network of Texas-based educational content providers including museums, cultural, historical, and scientific organizations, and authors.  These providers utilize interactive videoconferencing to connect to schools and deliver live educational programs and professional development to school children and educators around Texas and across the country.  Bring the scientists, experts, and authors directly to your students without leaving the classroom! connect2texas.net

The Texas Wildlife Association is just one of the many program providers. We did a live video-conference with them and learned about nocturnal animals. We also participated in "So You Think You Saw What Happened" by The Amon Carter Museum. The Perot Museum visited our school and did a live presentation called "Fire and Ice". 

Originally, I contacted the Perot Museum about doing a video-conference presentation, but then I learned about their scholarship program and was able to bring them to our school for a reduced cost. Other Connect2Texas providers that have scholarships available to pay for distance learning programs include The Amon Carter Museum, Texas Cowgirl Museum, and the Fort Worth Zoo. 

Some of the programs have fees, but there are many that are free. The discovery trunk was provided at no charge. 

Many schools in Texas cannot afford to send students on fieldtrips. Connect2Texas provides a wide variety of programs that meet state standards (TEKS) and can help you bring the world to your students!

Photo credit: Miller