Tune into Technology Linky: iPads...

Today I am linkin' up for "Tune into Technology Linky: iPads" with Kristin at iTeach 1:1 as well as Alyin and Amanda at Learning to the Core.  This linky will stay open until next Thursday, so come on and enjoy the party with me...you know you want to!
                                       

Last week I finally took the plunge and wrote a project for DonorsChoose.org.  My project was about my students needing an iPad mini for "Touching the World With Our Fingertips". (<~Read about it here)  I'm happy to report that it has been FULLY FUNDED!  

So, what does this mean for my kiddos?  In the Fall, after school starts, our new iPad mini will be delivered. I know my little rockstars are goin' to be surprised and very thankful!  Now I need to come up with a "thank you" project for my donors with the iPad.  Anyone have any fabulous ideas on what I should do?

Since my district has a B.Y.O.D. policy in place, my students are free to bring their own device(Kindle, Nook, iPod, iPad, smartphones) to the classroom.  The rules for "MY" room are:

1) You must have FUN!

2) You may NOT take your device out anywhere besides this classroom, unless permission is granted by another adult or teacher.  It shall remain in your backpack at the following places (car line, bus line, bus, hallway, etc.) If you do not follow this rule, you will lose this privilege until the end of time.  (Simple and not up for discussion. I've never had to take a device away and we have been usin' them in my class for goin' on five years now.)

3) You may read on your device during "independent reading", but you may not play games.  Save the games for free choice. (I give free choice at least every Friday afternoon.  They love playing with devices at free choice, so it keeps them motivated to work hard; play hard.)

4) You must always share with someone that has not brought a device if we are working on a planned class activity or research.  We are a family that cares and shares! (Never had anyone NOT want to share.)

5) You must be responsible and take care of your device at ALL times. (Knock on wood, please...haven't had any technology fatalities.)

6) You must practice being a good digital citizen. (Always!) 

Now onto iPad apps that  I love to incorporate in my class or durin' learnin' centers:

Best Books for Tweens is great for 5th and 6th grade(possibly 4th too).  I like this because it gives you the option to search books by categories such as: Action & Adventure, Animal Characters, Fantasy, Female Protagonist, Historical Fiction, Mystery, Non-Fiction, Male Protagonist, Realistic Fiction, Sports.  Great for boys & girls!  Also, each book has a little synopsis and a rating. 

  

Chicktionary is great for word work or making words. 

The kids love this one. Who am I kiddin'?  I love this one too! 

I'm sure you all already use Brain Pop, but I take it a step further and have the 

kids work as a group. After a video they spark up a conversation about the video 

and work together to give me a written response as a group.    

We use Edmodo EVERY DAY in my class.  Here's what I have listed on my class website about Edmodo.

"Our class uses Edmodo's educational networking site "where learning happens".  Edmodo was created to provide teachers and students with a safe and secure alternative to consumer-based social networking.  Edmodo helps connect all learners with the people and resources needed to reach their full potential.  Students are given a log-in and password.  Each day I assign a new task and students respond to the task appropriately with a typed response.  The task might be to watch a video and reply, or to check out a new website pertaining to whatever we are discussing and learning that day.  After the task is completed, I assign a grade for the assignment.  Students may use Edmodo at school and home.  Parents are also able to access their own child's Edmodo activities with a secure code." In addition, I have many videos, links to websites, Powerpoints, notes, documents, etc. that are stored in organized folders by subject areas or theme and placed in the "Library" on Edmodo.  These are always available for students to review.  

* Note: I am also attached to the other classes in my pod, so we can all monitor each other's responses.  We have a class as young as 1st grade that uses Edmodo on a daily basis.

I pretty much dig all of Big Fish Games adventure apps.  The hidden objects games are great for the kids to collaborate and investigate to find whatever the app is askin' them to look for.  It really gets their brains movin'.

I am sure I will think of many more apps I use on the iPads to incorporate technology in my classroom
(of course it will be AFTER I post this).

For now I'll leave you with this video to make you think.