Match Mine!

So if you are reading this you probably can see that I am new in the blogging world. I have been so inspired by many teachers lately and would love to share my experiences in teaching as well. One thing I am really passionate about in my classroom lately has been cooperative learning. This summer one of my dear colleagues and I were chosen to attend the Kagan Summer Academy in Orlando Florida. Oh my was I flattered! It was the best professional development I have every attend. I  use at least one thing I learned from my sessions in my classroom daily. That is something to be said about PD, is it me or do you often leave thinking "And when will I use that?".

Have you every heard of Kagan? Well it is all about engagement! When students are engaged, they pay attention, they're motivated, they learn more, and the learning sticks. The biggest difference between the Kagan approach and teaching using traditional methods is the ability to engage every student.




Today I would like to share how I have used a structure called Match Mine to work on targeted concepts with my students .Why use Match Mine?

Basically each student has identical boards and pieces. A file folder barrier (or barrier of some kind) must be placed between partners. One partner will be the "sender" (giving directions) while the other partner is the "receiver" (listening and carrying out task). Directions are given to hopefully create a board that matches.  The roles will switch allowing for concepts to be practiced and communication skills to be strengthened by both partners.

I strive to keep activities novel in my classroom. Therefore I created a winter themed board for this structure (pictured above) that is editable. Be sure to check it out here. In the mean time consider following me. I will be back soon with more cooperative learning tips.

I'm back with iPad word work activities

Long time, no see.  I started this little blog a couple years ago in hopes to share ideas and activities from my personal classroom. I since have neglected my blog.  We purchased a new home, "Mini Me" has hit the "Terrible Toddler" stages keeping me BUSY, and I have embarked on a new adventure in my classroom of becoming a 1:1 iPad classroom in Kindergarten. Oh have I learned and grown over the past few years. So I decided to try my hand at this blog thing yet again.

 I am hopeful to gain some followers to interact with along the way.

Incorporating iPads into my instruction has been rewarding and challenging at the same time, especially with little learners. Let me explain that I teach ELA, Writing, and Social Studies to my littles while my partner teaches Math and Science. We both hold our own small reading groups.

Yes, you read this right, we switch classes in Kindergarten.

It too has been challenging and rewarding!

Today I would like to share with you a few ways I incorporated technology into my writing instruction and literacy stations.

The following activities require that you have a QR scanner on your device(s) that will be used for this activity.

iSpell is an activity I created to practice cvc words.

Students will scan a QR code. Look at the picture. Sound out the word. Write/trace the word onto the response sheet. Color the iPad image to match the iPad that was scanned. Short e, short I, short o, and short u will be coming soon. Anyone interested in a bundle?

Find it here!

Sight Word Theatre is an activity I created to practice sight words. My students LOVED watching a "movie" to practice their words. Students will receive an activity sheet and scan the QR code provided on the sheet. Students will then “watch the movie”. Students should be prompted to pause the movie after each word and find the corresponding word on their sheet to color to match the word that was just heard. There are 3 different movies.

Find it here!

Another activity I have created to practice sight words uses the app Doodle Buddy.

It is one of my favorite apps EVER!

Students will scan a QR code and practice the provided sight words by reading, tracing, writing, and then typing each word.

Find it here!

When your student write how many times do you say:

 " Did you finger space?"

"Did you use a capital?"

etc...

Well, I created this writing sheet so that your students can ask themselves the questions!

 After students complete their writing, they will use their QR scanner to scan each QR code checking if they have correctly formed sentences. Want to try it?

Well...it's a Freebie!





Here you go!