A few ways to incorporate and engage with technology

During the last few months of school I tried to find new ways to incorporate technology into my lessons.  For this lesson I used SeeSaw and ChatterPix kids.   (They are free apps so start downloading now.)
 I have included a link for you to check these apps out!

SeeSaw

(Sign up at this link)

ChatterPix

This year when it was time for our end of the year zoo animal research project I wanted change to it up a bit.  I typically use two resources, one from Deanna Jump, and one that I created along with lots of nonfiction books.  

                      

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Zoo-Math-and-Literacy-Fun-123414

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Zoo-Animal-Study-1818245

I wil share more details on how I actually do a research project with kindergarteners in a future blog.  

So each student picks one animal to become a master of.  We make one of the cute crafts from Deanna Jump, do a graphic organizer and a label page from my set.  My students then pick a few facts to record on ChatterPix kids.  If you aren't familiar with this app it is one of my kiddos favorites and it is SUPER easy to use!

Here is an earlier post all about ChatterPix and lots of different ways you can use it!
http://littlesmilesbigsunshine.blogspot.com/2015/06/kindergartenno-more-nap-time-how-about.html 

Once they have created a short video with ChatterPix Kids they save it to their camera roll, open up the SeeSaw class app,  and add their video to be approved.  

Once the videos are approved I createdQR codes in SeeSaw and save them.  During literacy stations I taped them around the room for a sort of "listen" around the room activity.  My students  got to learn all about the animals from their classmates.  Once they listened to a few different animal videos they completed a readers response.  They drew one of the animals that they saw and wrote at least one new fact about that animal.  

They loved this!  It was one of their favorite literacy activities!  Next year I plan on incorporating similar activities earlier int he year.  

Here are a few of the QR codes that I created.  

You can scan them with a QR code scanner to hear the cuteness! 

If you don't have a QR code reader downloaded I use I - nigma.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/i-nigma-qr-code-data-matrix-and-1d-barcode-reader/id388923203?mt=8

Scan and listen:

I am always looking for new ways to use our one to one iPads in my classroom and this lesson was a SUCCESS!  Hopefully you can find a way to incorporate this idea into you classroom.

Spring time Fun! Cheap, fun, engaging, and easy to prep!

During the last few weeks we have been super busy!  I thought I would share some of the different  activities that I have been doing to keep my kinders engaged and excited about learning!  

Making Math Fun 

Working on tens and ones!  

No problem use pretzels and mini marshmallows to help kiddos grasp the concept! 

After doing this activity with my class they had no problem understanding how to make numbers with tens and ones.  

You can use pretzels and mini marshmallows with any ten and ones decomposing numbers page. 

 Easter Egg Addition

 I bought these cute little Easter Eggs at the Dollar Tree, as soon as I saw them the teacher in me instantly thought - MATH STATIONS!!!

One of the things that I have been working on this year is differentiation with out recreating!

This became a differentiated math station. 

I put dice in each egg.  Some eggs had one, two, and 3 dice.  

For my on target students each egg had one dice.  

They shook the eggs and then wrote a number sentence.  

This can be done with both addition and subtraction.  

For my students who need more guidance, I gave them one egg.  They shook it,  counted the dots, and wrote the number.

For my higher level students I gave them two eggs.  You can put 2 or 3 dice in the first egg, and 1 or 2 dice in the second egg.  They shook the eggs and then added.  You could also do this with subtraction.  

        

                 

Count and Compare

I bought a few packs of mini styrofoam eggs from the dollar tree and this cute Easter bucket.  

I also differentiated this station by just giving my students different size cups.  

They reach into the bucket with the dixie cup and pull out the styrofoam eggs.  They count and write the number.  They reach in and grab more and write the number.  They then compare the numbers and add a greater than, less than, or equal sign.

You could also do addition and subtraction with this activity.  

Easter Stem Activity

When I do Stem Activities I like to make it cross curricular by incorporating a book. 

Items needed:

Peeps

Toothpicks

Jelly Beans

The problem:

The Old Lady was Swallowing Chicks...we need to save the chicks!

Create a house for the chicks in order to protect them from the old lady.  

My students were given 20 toothpicks and 10 jelly beans. 

I created a recording form and they created a diagram. 

After creating the plan they built their house according to their plan.  

               

 

These are just a few engaging activities that I did during the last few weeks.   Hopefully this is something that you might want to use next year!  

Seussical Week Number 2

We have now started week 2 of Dr. Seuss!  Here are a few activities that we ended the week with and a few activities that we have done so far this week.  

To celebrate his birthday we did lots of different party activities!

We played Seuss bingo.  

(This came from the blog Balancing Home by Megan Bray)

click here for bingo

We did these super cute Directed Drawings.

I found step by step directions on the blog

First and Kinder Blue Skies

now Soaring in Kindergarten by Jennifer

click here for directions

For a special birthday snack we had "green eggs & ham"!

(sugar cookies, white icing, and green sixlets)

Here is a supe cute rhyming word craft to go along with 

There's a Wocket in my Pocket

(I can't find the original link so if you created this please let me know!!!)

To end the week we made oobleck and green eggs and ham!

Here is the recipe for Oobleck:

2 cups of corn starch and 1 cup of water. 

green food coloring (optional)

We made this super cute craft from First Grade Roars in honor of Fox in Socks.

 

Here is the link to the Free product from First Grade Roars

We have 3 more days of fun Seuss activities and I can't wait to show you more soon!

More Seuss Fun!

Today was day 2 of our Seuss celebrations!

Today we were supposed to wear red for Thing 1 & Thing 2.  I was out yesterday on wear hat for Cat in the Hat Day with a sick kiddo so... I had to wear my Seuss pants today!  

So I thought I would share a literacy station idea that I used today and a math station idea that I am planning on using tomorrow. 

Scrambled Eggs & Ham

In honor of Green Eggs and Ham I introduced Scrambled Eggs at my popcorn word station.  This is also a great activity for Easter time.  

What you need:

A spelling paper numbered 1-12

12 plastic easter eggs

letter tiles

Basket for eggs or an empty carton

1.  label each egg 1-12 with a black sharpie

2.  pick out 12 popcorn words

3.  put the letter tiles for each word into an egg.  

(one word per egg)

4.  close the egg and put it in the basket.  

How to Play:  

 The first time that we do this activity I do it together as a group.  

The first student reaches in and grabs and egg.  Opens it up and dumps out the letter tiles.  That student tries to unscramble the world.  

First we determine how many letters the word has.  (I give clues if needed...it has 3 letters and starts with a "w").  Once the student unscrambles the word they look at the number on the egg and then write the word next to the corresponding number.  

*This is where I stress the importance of putting all of the letter tiles back into the egg and making sure its closed.  

The next person gets a chance.  They pull out an egg and then follow the same steps.  

 Although some students may need assistance they can eventually do this activity independently.  

 

Seuss Sensory Bin 

Addition & Subtraction

What you need:

Colorful confetti

Deck of cards

Wooden block

Dr. Seuss Characters (optional)

Click on the link below for a video on how to set this up and what to do.  

Sensory Bin Activity

Super easy, engaging, and it only cost $4.00!

Let me know what you think!

We also started our Thing handprints.  

This was not my original idea.  I found it on Pinterest.  

Here is the link I used.  

Seusstastic blogspot

    

Final product coming soon!

Two Weeks of Seuss!!!

I love kindergarten and everything about it.  I try to make everyday fun and engaging but I must admit Dr. Seuss is one of my faves!

So two years ago I decided to go big and make the most of our Dr. Seuss theme!  Since then I look forward to it every year.  

We have two full weeks of theme days.  

This is the letter I send home to parents.  

The themes for each day go along with a specific Dr. Seuss story.

I am going to share ideas for the first week and I will continue to add pictures to my Instagram and Facebook account as the fun goes on.  

I have included links to the different resources that I have used during my Dr. Seuss themes.    I am so thankful for all the amazing teachers out there who have shared so many great resources. 

For Monday, we all get to wear hats in honor of Dr. Seuss.  

We read The Cat in the Hat do rhyming activities and decided how would we get the Cat in the Hat to leave our house.

On Tuesday, we all wear red and make super cute headbands for Thing 1 and Thing 2.

Here is a link to the TPT product I use for each student.  

There are Things 1-36 so everyone gets to have their own number.  

Thing 1-36 headbands

Thanks Brittany Archibald.

Here is the link for the Teacher Headbands.

Teacher Headbands

Thanks Lily.

We also make Thing 1 and Thing 2's out of shapes.  

Here is the link

Thanks Deidre from JDaniels4'smom.

Wednesday is Wacky Wednesday!  

I love this day and all of the Wackiness involved in Wacky Wednesday!

We dress crazy, wacky, and mismatched!

We read Wacky Wednesday and find all of the wackiness on every page!  

If you haven't taken the time to read this book it is GREAT!!!  I project it on the big screen and the kiddos love finding everything wacky.  

We then write about our very own Wacky Wednesday!

Wacky and mismatched!

On Thursday, we will celebrate Dr. Seuss' Birthday!  

We all wear party hats and read happy Birthday to you!

Friday is always fun Friday in my classroom!

So on Friday we wear green, make green eggs and ham and make Oobleck!!!

Another great resource is the app:

Dr. Seuss Camera - the Cat in the Hat Edition

Check it out here!

I take pictures of my students using this filter, print them out, and then my kiddos write about their picture!  

I hope you liked what I shared!  Can't wait to share more about next week!