Small group activities

In Language Arts I use Doodle Buddy to allow students to sketch their visualizations. Students are more eager to do this on the iPad than in their notebooks with paper and pencil. Also, in small group setting it is easy for the students to each add to the visualization/sketch. It was easy enough for my 4 year old to test out and interesting enough to keep my 5th graders engaged.

In Math, I found a great activity for small group called Towers Infinite. It uses the same basic rules as Sudoku but takes it to a 3-dimensional level. The clues along the outside of the grid (4x4 up to 6x6) tell you how many buildings you can view. The buildings go from 1-story up to 6-stories depending on the level. The student must strategize knowing a taller building will block out a shorter building. Like sudoku, each level building must appear only once in each column or row. This game was very addicting to me over winter break, and it has been a hit with my students.

Reading A-Z

http://www.readinga-z.com/book/itune-books.php

The Reading A-Z website is now offering select titles levels A-M for free download. This would be great for anyone who teaches primary grades. I can't wait for the site to expand their selection of books and levels! It says more is coming soon!

iPad alternative -

This is a video on an Android Tablet. I am sure that by the end of this week more tablets will be announced at the CES show in Vegas.

Frog Dissection App

I downloaded the Frog Dissection app to my IPad. I feel like a surgeon! The students will be able to "dissect" their own virtual frogs. Come to my room next week to see it live and in action!

A Great Way to Find Free and Discounted Apps

Check out App Shopper, this app is free and updates frequently. It is a compilation of all free and discounted apps available on the app store. You can search for apps according to price, type, and category. Definitely worth looking into!

A Great Graphing App!

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/graphing-calculator-hd/id374274107?mt=8

As the fourth grade enriched math teacher I am constantly seeking ways to extend the learning of the higher students in my class. I have a variety of learners this year, some that know how to complete mathematical equations high above their level. My class was working with coordinate planes and graphing simple points. I had a group work with the iPad to practice graphing equations. The Graph Calc HD application serves the purpose similar to that of a graphing calculator. The students were able to easily input an equation and see the line, and also attempted determining an equation from looking at the graph. While this was a challenge for my students, it is definitely an application I would recommend for advanced learners and students at the middle school level.

Integrating Technology into the Classroom

If you would like to participate and have a live discussion, here is the information:
6:45 p.m. EST (Elluminate) George Couros: Unintended Benefits: Building Relationships Using Social Media in Schools
George Couros is a principal in Stony Plain, Alberta, Canada, is a motivational workshop presenter in areas of successful technology integration in the classroom, including the use of social media and digital citizenship, as well as the power of Professional Learning Networks, to help connect teachers around the world.

7:30-8:00 p.m. EST: Post-Webstitute Chat in Elluminate
It is free, and very easy to sign up for. Should be a fascinating time!

Go to: http://englishcompanion.ning.com/group/ecnningwebstitutejanuary92011?