Turkeys on Parade

Isn't this just the cutest hand turkey parade you have ever seen? Have a wonderful and relaxing break!

Turkey Time

Here is a video that the kids LOVE!!!! We have been using it as a wiggle break. I had several kid requests to put it on the blog so they can have a "turkey dance party" at home! Enjoy!

There is an App for That!

So many apps, so little time!  I have had several requests to find out what apps we are using in class.  I love to share!  There are bunches and bunches of educational apps.  I will share a few of our class's favorites.  As we add more in class, I hope to continue highlighting student and teacher favorites.

The screen shot to the left is our Language Arts page.  Each app works on important reading and writing skills.  Here some links to my top picks from this page.

 Letter School- This is an incredible handwriting and phonics app.  It helps children with correct letter formation and letter/sound association. $2.99
Starfall- In this app, students see, hear, interact, and play with letters and sounds.  $2.99
 Letter of the Day- This app, again, works on letter and sound identification and association.  The game provides instant feedback and helpful hints.  $1.99
 Sound Sorting- Here is an interactive game that let's children sort pictures by beginning sound. $0.99
 Sight Words PhotoTouch- The ipad says a sight word and the kids have to touch the correct word out of 4 different choices.  The same app is also available for just letter identification.  Free.
 Reading Rainbow- (with subscription)  This is an amazing resource.  With this app, children have access to an incredible library of wonderful literature.  Children can read the books themselves or get the books read to them.  Further, the app has short video clips that compliment the stories.  How do children become better readers?  They read, read, read!  This app is packed with reading opportunities.
 Scribble Press- I have this app on the students' dock because we use it all the time.  This app allows the children to write and illustrate books then has an option to share/ publish their creations into ibooks.  One of the best parts....FREE!
Teach Me Kindergarten (not pictured)- We haven't done this app in class..yet.  However, the app has several games that cover and practice important kindergarten skills.  Plus, the app tracks progress and has an parent screen where you can monitor your child's progress.  This app also has a first and second grade version. $1.99

On our math page, we also have several awesome apps.  Here are just a few for now.
Quick Images- This app is spectacular for developing number sense and mathematical strategies.  See the post below for more specifics.  I highly recommend this app. $0.99
Counting Board- A great app to practice counting and identifying the numbers to 100.  Free.
123 Number Magic- An app to practice counting and number identification.  Free.
PrestoBingo Shapes- This app explores geometry.  Students have to find shapes hidden in pictures.  $1.99
Sid's Science Fair- Here is a science app that really engages the kids.  $2.99

This is certainly not everything, but a good start.  Like I said, I will continue to update as we introduce new apps in class or as I discover new apps.  I appreciate your interest and support!

Thankful for Tech Night

 Thank you so much for your participation and enthusiasm at Wednesday's tech night.   It was wonderful to see the Connected Kinders showing you their favorite apps and all they have been learning.  The "Thankful" ibooks turned out great.  I am working on sending everyone the link to your child's ibook.  The children sure enjoy having the books they created on their ibook shelf.  I have seen several kiddos open it and read it.  What a special memory!  I hope to do another "Tech Night" in January.  Stay tuned!

Base Ten Equations

The Connected Kinders are becoming teen number experts.  We are working so very hard at deeply understanding the numbers 1-20.  We have played several games and we are constantly counting.  With a strong counting foundation in place, this week we moved to the place value of the teen numbers.  The students were introduced to the concept that the teen numbers could be represented as a 10 and ones.  For example, 14 is 10+4. 

One activity we did to practice this standard was to build models of the number with a double ten frame and counters.  After students built the number, they took a picture of the model with their ipad.  Next the students put the photo into the Scribble Press app and wrote the corresponding equation.  Aren't these kids impressive?!

Big Ideas in Mathematics

Subitizing is being able to instantly see how many. We are working on developing different counting strategies and building a foundation for place value concepts. The Connected Kinders are doing amazing math with the app Quick Images. With this app, a graphic of objects is flashed on the screen and then disappears. The students have to be able to tell how many but they do not have the time to count each item. Quick Images fosters the development of number sense by having children compose and decompose the numbers in a variety of ways. For instance,a child might see 17 as 10+5+2 or 5+5+5+2. Subitizing also helps develop addition and subtraction strategies.

After practicing this app for only a couple weeks, the students are not only quick at grouping and counting the numbers but they have also become very proficent at explaining their thinking. If you are interested in buying this 99 cent app click here.

Counting to 100

Counting to 100 is a huge kindergarten objective! We have been practicing daily to meet this goal by the end of this second quarter. The students are doing fabulously! It is very exciting to see so many of the children accomplishing this objective. They are so proud. Here is a video that has been helping us practice and understand place value. The practice you are doing at home makes a huge difference! Thank you.

Buddies in the Computer Lab

Today we went to the computer lab with our buddies.  They were so helpful with our first lab experience.  Below are the links the students worked their way through.  Each link is an interactive  game that reviews a concept we are working on in class.  The links are still active so please feel free to explore these sites together with your Connected Kinder.
Number Bingo
Turkey Book
at words
Letter Match
Turkey Add to Color
Turkey Dot to Dot

Scarecrows

Last week was "Scarecrow Week."  We made these fun scarecrows that are hanging in the hallway.  The children had to follow several multi-step directions to complete the project.  We worked very hard!  We also read several different books about scarecrows.  One of the class' favorites was the Silly Willy Scarecrow.  In this book, the scarecrow scares things away by using beginning sounds.  The kids thought the "u" page was particularly funny.

The students want me to read it over and over and over again.  It is great for letter and sound practice.  Since the book is such a favorite we made a class book using the concept and our names.  The students had to use the beginning sound in their names.  I took pictures of them fake running.  So funny!  They are sure getting good at silly photo poses!

There Was An Old Lady...

This week we read a great story called There Was an Old Lady Who Wasn't Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams. We also sang the song below several times. This was the perfect story to kick off our mini scarecrow theme this week.



After just two reads, I checked the students' understanding by doing a class retell. The children had to retell the story in sequence and act it out with some large props. They did great because at the end, we had a scarecrow stuffed with Connected Kinders!

Two shoes go, "Clomp, clomp."

A pair of pants go, "Wiggle, wiggle."

One shirt go, "Shake, shake."

Two gloves go, "Clap, clap."

One hat go, "Nod, nod."

And, one scary pumpkin head goes, "BOO!"

 

 

And scare all the crows away!

Witch's Brew

After weeks of anticipation....we finally got to open, mix, and taste the witch's brew! We did the taste test with our fifth grade buddies. Then, the students had to form an opinion about their favorite and least favorite ingredient. Our writing time was cut a little short with our busy half day, but the students had great discussions and tons of fun!

Here is a witch's brew song that the kids just LOVE!  I had several requests to post it to the blog.  It makes me happy that so many of you are checking the blog with your children.   Thank you for your continued support and participation.