iPads are Awesome!

iPads are Awesome! 

      Our school has monthly staff meetings.  At the end of each meeting our Principal gives away a variety of items.  At our school we eat with our students, go to recess with them, and teach our computer lessons.  So, some of the prizes at the end of the meeting are coverage for lunch and recess so that we have free time and a principal covers it for us.  The BEST prize is coverage for our technology and guess what??? I won this month!!  Woo Hoo!  I was thrilled! 

      Our technology facilitator covers this time and teaches our kiddos.  Today just happens to be my day without a special.  This means that my Teacher Assistant (in the picture below) does an activity with my students to allow time for me to plan.  So, our technology facilitator (in the chair below) came during my special time and worked with my assistant.  She even offered me her office for a quiet place away, but I just couldn't leave and I couldn't help but watch and listen. 

      Our school's PTA recently purchased an iPad cart.  I haven't used them yet in my classroom and thought this was a perfect time for an introductory lesson.  Let me take a step back and tell you that our literacy facilitator is new at this particular job this year.  Previously, she was a kindergarten teacher at our school.  She was an amazing kindergarten teacher and after watching her today, WOW, she is amazing at this too!   She started by calling my students to the rug and walking them through the process that taught them how to plan and create their own book on the iPad.  The students were SO engaged.  In fact, I was able to move Elfie (our elf on the shelf) to a new spot without them having a clue! 

 

      They used the app StoryKit and it was incredibly easy to use.  The students began very simple informational texts about themselves.  They just wrote one simple sentence for each page.  They did a great job!  The students emailed them to me and I have sent them on to their parents. 

     Take a look at some of the students in action:

 

     I can't wait to use the iPads again!   This was the best prize I have ever won at a staff meeting!  I know my kiddos enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed seeing their faces light up as they worked. 

     If you are hoping to also win a prize, check out The Hive, where you can find a great giveaway for the cutest earmuffs ever!  See if today will be your lucky day, like it was mine! 

Michelle