Five for Friday and ONE WEEK from Today!

Well, hello there...  It's been a while!

School is back in full swing, and boy... Am I tired!  You forget how draining the first few weeks of school (especially kindergarten) can be.

I'm linking up with Doodle Bugs Teaching in what seems like the first time in forever for Five for Friday.

It seems as if we just finished up a school year, and here we are again!  We've done so much already that there's no way possible for me to fit it all into one blog post!

On the second day of school, we were given our class sets of iPads.  Excitement doesn't begin to describe it!

Although I have wanted to jump in and get right to it, I realize that slow and steady wins the race.  We have been introduced to many practice apps, including my favorites Starfall ABC, Counting Caterpillar, and Reading Eggs.  We have started creating a number book using DoodleBuddy, and will make it into a book using Book Creator.  We have used the camera to take pictures of things of certain colors, and used those images to make a collage using PicCollage.  The kids have learned how to use their pass codes to unlock their devices, log into the programs our district provides, and use the App Portal to download teacher-approved apps.

Although it feels like we are dragging our feet, I know without a doubt that it will be in the best interest of the kids to take it slow and learn it the right way.

One of my favorite things about having devices for each student is incorporating it into our morning routine.  I don't know about you, but morning work makes my blood pressure go through the roof.  It's hard to give the kids anything that is new or out of routine, and even if you give them something that they've done every. single. day., they tend become unengaged at times.  

Using the iPads for specific apps has proven to be a sanity saver.  

As you can see in the above image, I communicate with my students the apps I want them to use for morning work on our projector.  This picture was taken right after I had sent in my attendance.  Every single student is on task.  Would that be happening if I had laid out an amazing worksheet for them to do?  I highly doubt it.  Are they learning beneficial concepts?  Of course!

If you are fortunate enough to be 1:1 with devices, this little trick has been awesome!

Pete the Cat joined our class this week!  I Love My White Shoes is my absolute favorite picture book, so Pete the Cat week is one of my favorite ways to kick off the school year.  This little craftivity was from Deanna Jump's Colorful Cats pack.

Our first project has come to life!  My goal was for us to finish the project by today, but that just didn't happen.  We should finish it up next week!  

As you can see on our PBL wall, the project's focus is learning about our new friends.  Each kid has a partner and will learn more about each other over the course of the project.  The product will be a digital representation of each child.  The kids can use PicCollage, DoodleBuddy, or a good, old fashioned paper book.  I'm excited for them to dip their toes into the PBL waters while learning about their classmates.

I'm so excited about this!  Next Friday, I will be interviewed by Sheila Jane Teaching!  Make sure to tune into the show to hear all about EdTech and PBL!