The Jet Pack: Organize Your Files!

TIP: Stay organized! I have found that over time I have gotten careless about filing items away in a categorized manner from the iPads. I went back to find something the other day and had to weed through file after file that wasn’t named properly to try and locate it. My advice? Which I will take a healthy dose of for next year, is to have students ALWAYS name their files int he same way – their first name, last initial, and a keyword to identify the piece of media. That way. all of Maddie’s work will be together, Cam’s work, etc…

TIP: Make identifying folders as well for bigger projects or items that all of your students send to you. This will then store them all together, and if you use the method above, you will know almost instantly who has turned in the assignment and who hasn’t (with a running count at the bottom of the file window of how many files are in the folder).

“The Jet Pack” – Perhaps the most practical space aside from my “Roving Apps”. This day is designed to address what to keep, what to throw out, what is working in the classroom, what is troublesome or not worth the time, effort, or logistics. It will also the place where I might pose questions, problems, or puzzles encountered with the hope that readers out there might chime in with comments, ideas, or solutions.

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Space Walker: Vincent

This week we welcome Vincent to write about writing on the iPads in language and literacy as well as how iPads in the classroom are different than when he was in fourth grade. Take it away, Vincent!

We have started a new unit in class called “Coming of Age.” Mrs.Lemon assigned us books and gave us a packet with questions. She assigns due dates and we have to get it done before school starts the next week. We have assignment 3 due Tuesday after Memorial Day.

After we go over the assignment in class we have to write a journal entry. The first time I wrote it on a piece of paper. The second time I typed it on the iPad, and that was easier and way more fun than writing it on a piece of paper. I think that it’s more fun because you’re using an electronic at school instead of just at home. In fourth grade you could only use that device at your house.  I also think its easier because when I write for a long time my hand cramps up.

It has been a really fun year but unfortunately, “Time flies when your having fun.” I am not to happy about leaving the iPads behind, but I guess I can visit.

“Space Walks” – Unlike Monday’s interaction, my students will reign over this day’s content. This is where learners can contribute content either in the form of information or comments about their experience with the iPads. This is also space where guest bloggers can contribute and parents can offer their feedback.

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Docking Destination: eJournaling

THIS week in Language and Literacy we have gotten knee-deep into our final unit, Coming of Age. Students are in book groups reading great literature, watching for themes, and discussing author’s purpose. One component of this unit is students’ ability to reflect upon the growth of the character in their book and be able to relate it to themselves. All students write journals every time an assignment is due, however, we are cycling through kids being able to type their responses on the iPads. Here are a few highlights from the eJournals. Each book has a different prompt depending on the course and direction of their book and character.

I was like Jess except running is only part of it. I practice soccer 24/7! With my older
brother, my team, and my neighbor across the street, I practice. Even though I’m
getting better I don’t think I’m going to the next level in travel soccer. In about seven
games I’ve only got about ONE GOAL in all! We’ve still won a lot of games and I
assisted the goals, but still I want to feel victory in making a goal! Next year, because of
our wins my team might go onto B team, the chance is one in a million. Now, I practice
more and more each day. My brother and I run a lap each day around our
neighborhood then pass the soccer ball to each other. In between all that we
fight….over the soccer ball. After every game win or lose I’m still proud to play soccer.
By, Sarah (Bridge to Terabithia)

Sam made some tough decisions and they were to ask Caroline to help him, and to try and find out what was going on that he didn’t know of. I would have done the same thing as Sam, but it takes courage to do what he did and what he’s going to do. Just because Sam can’t read doesn’t mean he can’t do great things that’ll do him good in the future. I wish that I can be like Sam one day.
By, Stella (Eleven)

When I was younger I had a friend.  She was my first friend.  One day she moved.  I was very sad. I still see her because my sister and her sister are in a book group together and she lives close to my grandparents.  We will always be friends, but it will never be the same as when we were younger.  We changed because we lived in different states. She is still my friend, but I only see her like every 6 months.  Franklin and Elise are still friends, but not like they use to be.  When something changes, nothing will ever be the same.
By, Caroline (Eight Keys)

I have had a really good friend that grew apart from me.  My friend Mary and I were best friends since first grade.  We did almost everything together but then we started to get interested in different things.  I got more interested in horseback and reading (and writing) but she got interested in hockey and soccer.  This is kind of like Elise’s friendship with Franklin because Elise is starting to grow more apart from Franklin.  She is starting to think make believe stuff is for babies but Franklin is still into it.
By, Madeline (Eight Keys) (name change for anonymity)

Lisa
The world has been plagued by a disease that has killed everyone older than 12.” on the last news broadcast, they say the virus has spread all over the world. It is the worst plague in all history”. There are no adults left living. Todd and I have to care for ourselves now. I have been looting stores and homes all day for food and supplies. There are lots of kids out here and we have to board up the windows at night so we don’t get harmed. I hope to find other kids and become allies with them.  There is no electricity and all we have to eat is mostly canned goods because there is no refrigeration anywhere. I will be looking for stuff to protect us soon.
By, Anthony (The Girl Who Owned a City)

I have just begun to realize the danger and sadness of having no adults to protect us, care for us and to love us. The gangs are starting to get meaner and nastier than before. They are stealing things, breaking windows and burning buildings. The gangs are threatening kids and beating them up for money food and supplies. There will be no electricity. Or moving cars. Houses will rot due to little to no care. The world might collapse!
By, Eddie (The Girl Who Owned a City)

“Docking Destination” – Here I dedicate thoughts addressing how iPads can assist in integrating technology within the classroom setting with current curriculum in both Language Arts and in Social Studies. Our social studies curriculum is primarily focused on the history of America – from Pre-Columbian civilizations through 1812. Our Language Arts curriculum reflects the Common Core Curriculum standards.

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Roving Apps: ShowMe…Revisited

AS a owner of this app, this email was sent to me from the developer – kudos for good customer relations!

Recently, we got reports of a few nasty bugs on the ShowMe iPad app that caused it to crash or freeze. Most of you didn’t experience any of them, but for the few who did, it was understandably really frustrating.

In the past few weeks we’ve worked around the clock to solve these issues, and we’re happy to report we’ve just released a much more stable version of ShowMe. (You can download the update from the App Store)

We hope to learn from this experience and make ShowMe even better. In the meantime, you can reach us anytime to give feedback, share ideas, report bugs, or just chat. We’ve created a Community Forum, weekly Skype chats, and open office hours.

Finally, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for using and supporting ShowMe. We’ve thrilled to see so many people teaching and learning on ShowMe, and look forward to helping you do even greater things in the future!
Our best,

San, Karen, Kika, Julia, and the ShowMe team
@showmeapp // facebook.com/showmeapp

“Roving Apps” – This space is dedicated to reviewing new apps, old apps, useful ones, and ones that might be better served remaining in the App Store. My reviews are based on classroom use and my own exploration of what is out there and what I have found as more and more apps for the iPad are created.

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Take Off! Advice Installment #1

I asked my students to write some advice to the incoming 5th graders for next year. They appeared to be diligent and serious about their comments – which was heartfelt…and very cute. Here is the first installment of advice from the experts:

You learn lots of things, so pay attention!  ~ Connor
You must be very respectful with them.  ~ Jordan
The iPads are a great privilege, so don’t waste it!  ~Sabrina
You will have fun playing a social studies card game!  ~ Ella
Don’t fool around.   ~ Jake
You will use the iPads for a lot of different things.  ~ Hannah
Work as a team and share the chance with the other students at your team.  ~ Anthony
You can take tests on them (I think it’s good luck!)  ~ Cam
No food near the iPads!  ~ Eddie
The most important rule is to have fun!  ~ Abby

“Take off!” – This will be reserved for students’ learning, curriculum being taught with the iPads, and actual student input – “Shooting Star of the Week Quotes” where students will contribute comments from the learner’s perspective.

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The Jet Pack: A 7-inch iPad?!

RUMOR ALERT: Apple is rumored to be coming out with a 7” iPad in October… interesting…

Click here for the scoop.

THE attractive aspect: price. The disadvantage: size. For the market of people who cannot afford a 10” iPad, this would be a terrific opportunity. For the classroom setting, this would only work if every student had one. Right now the 10” iPads are big enough for a group of 4 students to view. A smaller version would make this much more difficult. Interesting to think about -

“The Jet Pack” – Perhaps the most practical space aside from my “Roving Apps”. This day is designed to address what to keep, what to throw out, what is working in the classroom, what is troublesome or not worth the time, effort, or logistics. It will also the place where I might pose questions, problems, or puzzles encountered with the hope that readers out there might chime in with comments, ideas, or solutions.

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Space Walker: Cam

THIS week Cam weighs in with his views of spending a year with technology in his classroom. Take it away, Cam!

I think that the iPads are probably the best thing that involves learning in the classroom. We play jeopardy on the iPads to help study for an up coming test. Mrs. Lemon uses a website to make the game and then we write our answers on the iPads. I think that it is really fun.

Also the iPads always get people in bad moods for classes up and ready to go. I personally think that Mrs. Rogers (our other team teacher) should get some too! I think that they are really cool to have in a classroom. So if you are a teacher, I would recommend getting some for the class because it brightens up the room. That is why I like the iPads for the classroom.

“Space Walks” – Unlike Monday’s interaction, my students will reign over this day’s content. This is where learners can contribute content either in the form of information or comments about their experience with the iPads. This is also space where guest bloggers can contribute and parents can offer their feedback.

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