Math App!

One of the math apps I love to use in Kindergarten with the iPads is KG Math. You can find it here.   What I love about it is that it is actually geared towards kindergarten. It hits tons of standards and they keep coming up with new updates with more games.  The game does cost $1.99 but I think it is worth purchasing.  (I am not getting any kickbacks for recommending this app... I just truly love it : ) 

Here is a screen shot of some games the students can choose.  It is a very simple format and extremely kid friendly.  I love that they even included symmetry!  How many symmetry activities do you find??? Not many!  The only complaint (which I hope with one of the updates they will change) is that if a student gets it wrong there is not an explanation or teaching moment that helps the child.  This is the one drawback I see.  I'm hoping that feature will be there soon!  Maybe if enough of us check it out and send that suggestion then it will happen...... 
What math apps do you love?

Student Data Folders...New App!

So, how many of you keep the traditional student data folders???? (My hand is raised...) In kindergarten it looks like this..... Little Johnny does poorly on the rhyming test, I take the rhyming test upstairs to make a copy, I 3-hole punch the copy, write the date, put it in Little Johnny's binder.....Then of course when I give an important test that I mom and dad to see at conferences I 3-hole punch and keep it..... keep a few writing samples.... make a copy of a behavior slip sent home (I call them 'oops reports')......The list is endless, then the binder is filled, blablablablabal Such a bother, but I obviously see the benefits and need for these binders or BELIEVE ME I WOULDN'T DO THEM..... 

So today while blog hopping/stalking I found this post by KindergartenWorks

 

Click on the picture above to read her description of a time-saving organizational power-house app for the iPad/iPhone called 3 Ring.  It can be found here at http://threering.com/.

Check out this short video about 3 Ring!

 The organizational aspect is AMAZING.... The general idea is that it's a 'virtual data binder'.  Simply take a picture of the document, choose who and what it belongs to, and it's uploaded. So, at conferences I can pull up Little Johnny's writing to show mom and dad what he produced.  "Oh, what was that, mom and dad? You're not sure what is expected from a kindergarten kid at this time of the year.... Well, let me just pull up all of the class' writing about ol' Abe Lincoln and we can just take a little peek at the rest of the class' work."

Ok, seriously, pick your mouth up off the floor and go check it out....

Oh, you're concerned because your school is low on funds and won't purchase any apps? 

IT'S FREE TO TEACHERS!!!!

So, I'll be downloading this on my personal iPad (which I got for Mother's Day.... do I have the best husband or what?????) and playing with it this summer.  And I'm sure my principal will be getting an email very soon about this app and what we can do with it...... Just think of the possibilities!!!!!  What are your ideas????

Can I play Angry Birds???

Well, I am getting more comfortable with integrating the ipads into my 'typical day' (as typical as kindergarten can get, at least).  My goal now is to get more efficient in:

•  passing out/students getting the ipads
• students knowing what specific app they are to use
• students actually starting on that particular app

I have one student who asks each day if they can 'play angry birds', another few who always want to play with "Talking Tom" who repeats everything (or the other 5 apps just like it with a different character, although I must say the dog and cat newscast is very cool!), a boy who wants to take pictures, and many kids who want to create a story on Toontastic. 

So, anyone have any great ideas for organization?  Some suggestions I have heard for the 5 ipads I have:

• Have the ipads assigned to a particular table for the day.  
• Put ipads in a tub that can sit on the table to lessen movement
• Have a checklist of apps you want the students to complete/participate in that day.

Any others????  I'm looking at trying out the three above.  Anyone else try this and have any feedback or hints?  I'll let you know how it goes...... Maybe I won't hear "Can I play Angry Birds?" anymore....... Funny thing is I don't even have Angry Birds on the ipads!

Free Apps!

Check out these links to Facebook pages where

 I have found many free apps!

              

IHeartThisApp

HUNT4FREEBIES

Free the Apps!

AppsSchool

Have any good ones???  Let me know!

Story Kit

Story Kit is the app that I have been using to create stories with my kindergarteners. 
              I love it because:
                   -It is simple....not a lot of buttons,which is good for K!
                   -You can type text and record your voice, great for reaching all students in my class!
                   -You can insert pictures from your iPad or take a picture right then.  My students love this feature. 
                  -There is a drawing feature that allows students to add their own illustration.
                  -The app comes with some stories already saved (3 Little Pigs for example).  Students can then go and change the text and/or story.  I haven't used this feature yet but later in the year we will do this whole group. 
                  -  IT IS FREE!

Click here to see an example of a story some students in my class created.  Click on the 'speaker' to hear their voices.  (I do not like the look of the book on the web through the link.  The story is much more authentic when viewed on the iPad.)