iPads in the Classroom

Do you sign up for workshops during your summer break?  

I never use to sign up for workshops, because I didn't have a babysitter to watch my babies at home........  But now, I have a teenager! Gotta love the built in babysitter!

So... I decided to sign up  for a few workshops my district was hosting at our high school, I loved them!

Last Summer, I went to iPads in the Classroom.  I have always wanted an iPad for my classroom, but have never been lucky enough to get one.  But I signed up for the workshop with the hopes that one day I would get one and then I would have the knowledge and expertise to use it in my classroom!

Well, I walked in and our wonderful presenter gave each of us an iPad for our classroom!  I was so excited and sad at the same time! I had wished my other Kindergarten team mates were at this workshop with me!

 Our presenter gave us a chance to play with our iPad and then she asked us to do some research. Wow! There is a lot of information about the iPad in the elementary classroom! Just Google it yourself and you will be amazed! 

They were a wonderful addition to my classroom this past school year!  

To learn how to set up and how to make the most of my iPads, I went straight to Sharing Kindergarten.  She has some wonderful tutorials how to use iPads in your classroom! You have to check out her iPads 101 blog post! I had to get her  iPads 101 pack to save my sanity and help organize my classroom iPads! 

A few of my favorite apps are:
(I have not been paid in any way to talk about these apps. I use these in my classroom and just love them!)
 

Monkey Math School Sunshine

The kids can not get enough of this app! It did cost me $1.99, but has been a great app for learning numbers and patterns!

Monkey Word School Adventure

 This is another app that is awesome! It works on letters and phonics!  Since I mainly teach math and science, my kids use this as a fun bonus activity! (Which makes them want to play it more!) Again, it cost me $1.99, but is worth it!

Base Ten Blocks Math

This will help your class with beginning place value! This app is free!

Counting Board

This is another free app!

It really helps with counting!

Number Flash

This app is also free!

It is great to help with counting!

The Ten Frame flashes on the screen and they have to press the correct number. You can set how long it flashes and how long they have to answer.

Of course, iPads can be used for so much more than learning games! It is great for my students to take a picture of their work and, when I have time, look over it and check their level of understanding in their station. 

It is also a great way for the students to show their creativity! Just ask them to video themselves! You will see their creative sides come out!

Well, that is all for now!  I am working on a post about getting the wiggles out!  I purchased some amazing wobble chairs and I can't wait to tell you more about them! They are saving my sanity this school year!!! 

 

First Week and Using Glue in Kinder

We started back to school this past week! 

 This was me after school on Friday! Whew! I was exhausted!
My Kinders were awesome this week! So sweet! So happy! So excited about school! It made for an excellent week!  I was one happy, (but extremely tired), teacher.  My husband says I am out of game shape! It's time for my two-a-days to get me back in game shape!  I know in 9 weeks, I will be back to my normal self! Until then, it's lots of coffee for me!

We learned lots of new procedures in my classroom!  I began teaching Whole Brain Teaching with my Kinders! They are loving it! I am loving it!  They can't wait to learn more!  Another reason I love teaching Kindergarten! They are sponges absorbing everything they hear and loving everything!

On Friday, we decided to have some more fun!  I taught them how to use the glue bottle!  

We first read Too Much Glue.
My Kinders were so excited about every page! 
It is the cutest story!  Next, we used a glue page from Primary Press  beginning of school - Let's Get It Started
pack!

 After they colored the cute apple, they put glue dots and then I help them glitter. They loved it! {Sorry I forgot to take a picture of the final product! They really turned out cute!}

If you need more help teaching  your class to glue, I have a blog post you can read {here}. 

If  you have already started teaching, I hope this next week is an awesome week for you!  If you haven't started teaching yet, I hope you get rested up for your first week back!

Happy Teaching!!!

 

Where have I been?!

Hi all! I am so sorry for leaving the blogging world for a few (very long) months! I really hope you can forgive my absence!!! 

I have to apologize for my lack of blogging this school year. I have had some personal issues and have had to step back from the blogging world to get my life back on track. 

My class was high energy and needed some extra attention this past school year. 
My own two beautiful kiddos really needed me this past school year. (They both have been more involved this year).
My husband (who is also high energy and high maintenance - wink wink! - but boy do I love him!) has also begged for extra attention this year.
My Mom passed away a few years back and my Dad has needed some extra attention this year.
I have needed to get my spiritual life for me and my family back on track and going on the right path.

I have really been pulled in a million directions this year!

So, needless to say, I really needed to step back and get my personal life in order.  I appreciate all the emails I have received asking about me!  I really have missed blogging and all the friends I have made! 

When I began blogging this was my way to connect and help others. I really do love to help others and, I was hoping, by blogging, I could do that.  I am hoping to help share ideas through my blog posts again soon!

Thank you for staying with me!!! I have been super busy, and have tried to connect on Facebook and Instagram with the happenings in my classroom! If you aren't connected with me yet, you can catch up with me on those two social media sites. I also try to Twitter, but am not super successful at that yet. And I am brand new to Periscope, (I have been too nervous to do that yet!)

Thank you again for understanding and your patience!

Love and miss y'all!!!