Peek At My Week

Is it really Sunday already?!?!  Didn't I just link up with Deedee yesterday???

Week 1 is in the books!  It was an insanely busy week with lots of learning about classroom rules and routines, establishing relationships, getting our IPADS(!!!), and having fun.  

This week, it gets real, folks.  We are getting into our curriculum, and having fun doing it. 

In case you didn't know, my district is going 1:1 with devices this year.  Our kindergarten classes have iPad minis.  When I came into school on Wednesday morning, there was a lovely brown box with 17 of the cutest little iPads you have ever seen.  I couldn't wait to get my students' hands on them, but I know that to make anything good successful, you must take the appropriate steps necessary to get it started.

Slow and steady was the name of the game.  Wednesday afternoon, my kindergarten team got together with our classes to present on digital citizenship and proper iPad use and care.  Then, we set up pass codes.  

I won't mention that setting up 4-digit pass codes for kids who don't yet have number recognition is a tad difficult. :)  

Anyway... It is finished.

Thursday, we broke out the iPads to practice on the DoodleBuddy app.  DoodleBuddy is a whiteboard app with stamps, stencils, paintbrush options, and crazy-fun backgrounds.  Totally appropriate for kindergarten.  We use it A LOT.  Did I mention it's free?

On Friday, we learned the art of taking pictures and videos.  We will be using the camera on our iPads a lot.  From scavenger hunts to research projects, it's one of my favorite tools.  During the lesson, the kids had to take a "selfie" and set it as their home screen picture.  It was ADORABLE!!!  I wish I could share some of them with you, because I seriously busted a gut laughing so hard at their silly faces.  If you are in a 1:1 environment, I highly recommend doing this little lesson with your kiddos.

This week, we will introduce QR codes.  QR codes is probably the simplest way to get information to your littlest learners.  Simply scan the code, and voila!  They have what they need at their fingertips.  This week, since we are learning about the letter Ll, I have created a QR code that links to a bundle of fun videos with songs and stories about the lovely letter.

We will also (if the Good Lord's willing...) begin our first project.  I will pair each student with a new friend to interview, photograph, and present on each other.  By Friday, each student should have completed a PicCollage and an oral report on their partner.  We will present to our peers, and display the PicCollages around the room.  I'm hopeful it will go exactly as I have it planned, but anyone who has taught kindergarten is probably chuckling right now. :)

I am using tons of great resources this week to give my littles the best learning experience possible.  You can click on the resource picture in my visual plans to head straight to that product.  I'm definitely getting by with a little help from my friends this week!

Click the images to head to my lesson plans.

I'd love to see what you are up to this week!  Link up to Deedee!