English definition of to paddle: to walk about in shallow water !
Goal: Integrate iPads into K-4 classrooms. I have a set of 8 iPads to experiment with.
Step 1: Play with – muck around- work out the kinks- myself.
Method: Use in my reading group in first grade (my only teaching assignment). So in one week I planned my reading and integrated the following 4 apps:
Spell Blocks with Sight Words A simple app that tells the students words to spell and they move the blocks to the correct place. I used this instead of sight word practice on flash cards. I noticed that having the sound on 6 ipads all at the same time was annoying (solution: headphones) and that the boys heads were down and they were not collaborated (solution: put in partners where possible).
Quick Voice After the students had read a Syd Hoff book of their choice, I asked them to choose their favorite section and record it. They were then able to reread a number of times to see if they could improve their fluency. This activity was successful. The app is incredibly easy to use so the boys were able to do it as they finished. A good way to have them read aloud but privately! I was then able to listen before I had report comments to write!
Magnetic Land For the phonics part of my reading group, I often have my students make words. I let them play with this app for a few minutes and then directed them to make words, changing consonants and vowels. I quickly found the sound needs to be off for this group activity! An easy to use app- I like the simpler magnet ones as well.
Draw Free When we had read all of our Syd Hoff books, I asked the boys to draw their favorite character on this app. There wasn’t much value to this activity but I wanted to check the emailing process. They drew easily except for one boy who wished he had a pen (solution: we ordered pens) and then after a brief demo, they were all able to email me the pictures. This drawing app has no bells and whistles so is perfect for a quick activity.
It was a great first dip into the water. I cannot believe how easy it for the students and how readily they help each other. No comparison with netbooks for this age group. No charging, sign on, mouse issues at all! A breeze!
Next step: move them into the classrooms, inspire and guide teachers, find new apps…. stay tuned!