Kindergarteners Heart Playaways

I've been trying to think of new ways to incorporate technology into my classroom and playaways were an excellent idea!  The John B. Dey elementary school has 78 playaways for students to check out (very impressive!) for students in fourth and fifth grade.  Recently, playaways have included beloved picture books for younger audiences and I was able to borrow 4 from the Chesapeake Library to use in my classroom.  All the playaways featured quality literature and I matched the playways with books from my classroom or the school library.  We were missing a few books and I just told the kiddos to visualize the story when that story came on because that is what older kids do (they loved that idea).  The best part were that many of the stories were familiar because we had watched them on Bookflix or read the books in class.  The students who tried the playaways love it!  It was simple to set up and use- kindergarteners can certainly do this activity independently.  Remember when you were a kid and listened to books on tape?  This is listening to books for 21st Century.  My first grader also loves to listen to playaways in the car (Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Where the Red Fern Grows, and Treasure Island are a few that have kept him busy listening for hours).

Happy Mother's Day!

Exploring Attributes and Using Critical Thinking and Creative Thinking

Today we used the IPads to play an attribute game that challenge our critical and creative thinking.

We are Thankful!

This great lesson was created in the computer program kidspiration:)

Our Fall Pumpkin Day!

Shape Project Using Kidspiration

Today we studied shapes in the computer lab and completed this technology activity using the program kidspiration.

IPADS

Friday we used the IPADS and the kiddos did great! Thanks for sending in headphones for your child to use.

Technology Project

Computer Lab

We are continuing to practice using the mouse. These colorful pictures were created on Friday in the computer lab using the computer program Pixie.

Become a Techno-Savvy Parent

Are you overwhelmed by technology and all a “twitter” over social media? If so, the Parent Connection Technology Academy is for you! This ten-month series of evening classes is designed to provide parents with the tools and resources needed to assist children with their technology needs.

All sessions will be taught by Virginia Beach School’s Technology Experts – the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) students from the Advanced Technology Center. Each class will offer hands-on sessions, an informational booklet and student teachers assisting participants. Sessions will be held at the Advanced Technology Center Theater located at 1800 College Crescent, in Virginia Beach, from 7:00-9:00 p.m. and pre-registration is required. To register, contact the Office of Community Relations at 757.263.1936.

Parent Connection Technology Academy sessions include…

Word Processing—Thursday, August 18, 2011
Internet—Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Buying Computers & Accessories—Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Wireless Networking—Wednesday, November 12, 2011
PC Maintenance & Troubleshooting—Thursday, December 8, 2011
PowerPoint—Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Social Networking—February 15, 2012
Spreadsheets—Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Internet Security—Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Freeware & Tips and Tricks—Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Plants Technology Lesson

Happy Mother's Day!

Earth Day Technology Project

Fun New Harry's Kindergarten Videos

Check out the new videos on Harry's Kindergarten for identifying long vowels, coin recognition, and coin values. We love it!







Checkout the rest of his videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/HarryKindergarten.

Measurement

Today we did a measurement activity in the computer lab.

IPad Article

I just stumbled upon a great article about how IPads are changing the path of education especially for kindergarten students. Click here if you want to read more...

IPad Apps

We love using the IPads in our class and I wanted to let all the parents know which Apps we were using so you can use them at home if you would like. I have used all of these apps in class and also at home with my own kindergartener (and also my 2 year old). Above the apps are- math magic, math bingo, and word magic. The anaologies for kids and sentence builder are apps we use for higher level thinking.

The President Rap

The kiddos loved listening to the "presidents rap". Check out all the cool kindergarten videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/HarryKindergarten.

We Love IPads

Officer Ryan Webb recently read a story to our class and afterwards the kiddos were so excited to show off the IPad. We are lucky to have Officer Webb visit our classroom for a second year as a kindergarten friend and mentor.

How could JBD buy 21 IPads to use in school? Click here for more information

Number Stories

Today in computer lab we practiced number stories using "Mighty Math Zoo Zillions".