Friday, September 27, 2013

using syllables to spell unknown words- with the iPad

Syllable awareness is an important component in developing students' knowledge of words and skills for spelling unknown words.

Segmenting an unknown word into syllables and segmenting syllables into onsets and rimes or sounds is a skill that supports spelling of unknown single and multi-syllable words.

After direct instruction and guided application in segmenting multi-syllable words to hear, identify, and record sounds in unknown words, the First Grade Butterflies applied syllable segmentation to spell unknown words with a partner- using the Word Wizard iPad app.

Utilizing the "movable alphabet" option within the app and the settings customized to "read on touch", the first graders worked cooperatively and collaboratively with a partner to apply syllable segmentation for spelling unknown multi-syllable words.

After collaboratively hearing, identifying, and recording the sounds in the unknown word, the partners used the "read on touch" capability of the app to check for accuracy.
With an inaccurate pronunciation of the word, the Butterfly Spellers discussed, analyzed, and manipulated sounds within each syllable... and rechecked for accuracy.

identifying syllables- on the iPad

Knowledge and understanding of syllables is an important component of phonological awareness. 

Syllable awareness facilitates fluent and effective decoding (identifying an unknown word in print) and encoding (hearing and recording the sounds in an unknown word in writing).

The Syllable Splash iPad app is utilized to support student identification of the number of syllables in a spoken word during guided and independent application.
a first grader using the strategy of "clapping"
to support her identification of the number of syllables in a word
while using the Syllable Splash iPad app
a first grader identifies the number of syllables in a word
using the Syllable Splash app
a first grader uses the strategy of putting her hand under her chin
to "feel" each syllable
while using the Syllable Splash iPad app

counting on the iPad- with the Count Sort iPad app

Counting is a fundamental math skill.

The Count Sort iPad app is utilized in the classroom as an instructional support in developing students' counting skills.

The "options" within the app are customized to facilitate accurate counting for each student within his/her Zone of Proximal Development.

The selection of circle counters that change to blue when touched and the capability to manipulate and move the counters supports students' accurate counting skills and strategies.

a first grader counts "chips"
in the "count" option of the Count Sort app

a Butterfly Mathematician counts and identifies a set of 10-32 chips
using the Count Sort iPad app 

a first grader "double counts" (to check for accuracy)
on the Count Sort iPad app
a first grader counts a set of 1-10 chips and identifies the total quantity (with 2 options)
in the Count Sort iPad app

digital spelling assessments on the iPad

With individualized words for spelling and the varied individual student rate of-for mastering spelling words... administering individualized spelling assessments to 26 students to monitor progress, identify known and unknown words, and determine individualized words for learning requires extensive "time" (which there never seems to be enough of... ugh!)

After many trials and errors... I finally found an iPad app that allows me to assess individual student's spelling, monitor progress, identify known and unknown words, determine individualized words for learning, and... the Things To Learn iPad app!
a first grader's accurate spelling of high-frequency words
is assessed in isolation
with the Things To Learn iPad app
I created spelling assessments (within the app) for the 15 high-frequency spelling word lists (30 words per list) and "shared" (emailed and imported) the assessments of each of the 15 word lists with the 26 student iPads.
I created a "Write Words" (our high-frequency spelling words) assessment "book" within the app on each student iPad (assessments were imported into the "Write Words" assessment book) and created a student account within the app. I customized the app to have assessments results emailed to my teacher email account and "assigned all tests to all users" (providing each student access to all Write Word assessments) in the app settings.

As analysis of a student's individualized word lists and authentic writing indicate developed "mastery" of a word list, the First Grade Butterfly accesses the appropriate Write Word list assessment in the Things To Learn iPad app.

The app includes the capability to "write" or "type" the words. The Buttetflies use a stylus (that mimics the use of a pencil or pen) to "write" each word in the assessment.
The app includes the capability to have the word repeated (unlimited). The Butterflies use headphones (promoting optimal ability to "hear" and identify each word) with the Things To Learn app.

Post assessment- the Butterfly self-assesses the accurate spelling of each word (comparing his/her written recording of the word to the typed word) and "shares" the assessment result through email.

The app includes the capability to reassess words missed and/or reassess the entire word list.

The app includes the options to "assess" or "practice" word lists, for words to be assessed in "sequential" or "random" order (I have "random" order selected for all assessments), and the option to "write" or "type" the word (the selection of "type" includes the option to select "case sensitive" and automatically analyzes the spelling accuracy post-assessment).

a screenshot of word lists
in the "Write Words" assessment book


a screenshot of the written recording of the spelling word "you"
in the "list 1- RED" assessment
in the Things To Learn iPad app
a screenshot of the "self-assessment"
of the spelling accuracy for each word assessed
a screenshot of the "results"
of a Write Word assessment
with the option to "share results" (envelope icon)
the initial page of a "shared" assessment
received through email
-with the word assessed, student written recording of the word (with a stylus),
and the student self-assessment of spelling accuracy




Tuesday, September 24, 2013

partner reading with the Scholastic Storia iPad app

As a scaffold to the First Grade Butterflies use of reading fluency, rate, expression, and comprehension as readers and active engagement in interactive and collaborative "book talks" with reading partners, the Butterfly Readers learn and use strategies for "partner reading".

The Butterfly Readers learn the partner reading strategies of "Jinx" (reading simultaneously), "Copy Cat" (alternating reading of the same page), and "See-Saw" (alternating page reading).

The Scholastic Storia app provides reading partners with access to leveled digital texts in "bookshelves" (I created) that correlate to the text leveling system used within the classroom library.

The Butterfly reading partners choose and use partner reading strategies with leveled digital texts.

The "read to me" capability of select ebooks (not all Storia ebooks include the capability to have the text read aloud) promotes the reading partners' use of fluency, rate, and expression as partners "Jinx" read- following the highlighted text.
first graders partner read I Have a Cold
in the Scholastic Storia iPad app


Spelling Magic iPad apps

The ABC Spelling Magic apps by Preschool University support students' phonetic knowledge, understanding, and application.

Spelling Magic 1 focuses on short vowels. Spelling Magic 2 focuses on consonant blends. Spelling Magic 3 focuses on long vowels and Spelling Magic 4 focuses on multiple syllable words.

Each Spelling Magic app includes two activities to support the hearing, identification, and "recording" of phonetic word features...
  • word building- a picture, corresponding letter tiles (in random order), and "sound boxes" are provided
  • moveable alphabet- a picture, "sound boxes", and the entire alphabet is provided

The Spelling Magic apps include a variety of "options" that scaffold student development of knowledge and skills for application.
In the First Grade Butterfly classroom, the Spelling Magic iPad apps are utilized to support student learning in instruction, guided, and independent student application of hearing, identifying, and "recording" short vowels, long vowels, consonant blends, and phonetic features in multiple syllable words.
Spelling Magic 2- consonant blends
the word categories
in the Spelling Magic 2 app
hearing, identifying, and "recording" the sounds in the word "plug"
in the Spelling Magic 2 iPad app
the "options" in the ABC Spelling Magic 2- consonant blends iPad app



Moose Math iPad app

The Moose Math iPad app has the First Grade Butterflies counting, sorting, adding, and subtracting with big smiles on their faces!

The Butterfly Mathematicians cheer ("yeah") when provided with the opportunity to utilize the Moose Math iPad app!

The Butterflies count and add in the "Moose Juice" and "Pet BINGO" activities, count in the "Paint Pet" and "Dot to Dot" activities, and identify and sort shapes in the "Lost and Found" activity within the app.

The Moose Math app motivates students through engaging, interactive, and fun activities that reinforce skills and encourage confidence as Butterflies share- "My Pet Shop is two tall now!" and/or "I have 5 (birds, trees,...) now!" and/or...
a Butterfly identifies and sorts shapes
in the Moose Math "Lost and Found" activity
a first grader counts and adds
in the Moose Math "Moose Juice" activity
a first grader identifies the total quantity of two di
in the Moose Math "Pet BINGO" activity

Saturday, September 21, 2013

individualized high-frequency spelling words and the This Week's Words iPad app

Accurate, consistent, and fluent written recording ("mastery") of high-frequency words is an important skill in the development as a writer.

Utilizing formative high-frequency word spelling assessments, individualized high-frequency spelling words for learning are identified for each student.

The First Grade Butterflies independently create a list of 10 (of the identified words for learning) individualized high-frequency spelling words in the This Week's Words iPad app.

This Week's Words supports each Butterflies' learning and development of high-frequency spelling word mastery through interactive and engaging activities that integrate visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning styles.

The app is utilized as an instructional support in students' learning, review, and assessment of individualized spelling words.
the "Listen and Choose" activity in the This Week's Words iPad app
supports a first grader in learning her individualized high-frequency spelling words 
first graders utilize the Spellosaur iPad app and the This Week's Words iPad app
as supports in developing mastery of individualized spelling words
the "Listen and Spell" activity in the This Week's Words iPad app
supports a first grader in learning his individualized spelling words

supporting development of sight word mastery with the iPad

Accurate and fluent identification ("mastery") of sight words is an essential skill in the learning and development of a reader.

Sight word mastery supports decoding (identifying an unknown word), reading fluency, and comprehension.

The Say It Sight Words iPad app supports the development of sight word mastery.

The app includes built-in word lists and the capability to create custom word lists. Time, list(s) (single or combination), "looping"-"elimination"-"one time" of words, and more can be customized in the app settings... promoting learning and/or reinforcement of words individualized to the reader.

The "Flash Cards" option in the app is the BEST! Similar to "SIRI", the app listens to the reader's oral identification of the word and confirms the accurate identification of the word or provides the accurate identification. The "listening" capability of the app's Flash Cards option promotes accurate sight word identification... through interactive speaking and listening, active engagement, and customization of words-lists.

The "Reverse Flash Cards" option in the app promotes sight word discrimination and identification. For each "word", the reader is provided with 4 or 6 (selected in the app "settings") individual word cards. The reader identifies the card with the correlating word (accurate identification highlights the word card in green and the accurate word card is isolated and reinforced when the identification is inaccurate).

The third option, "Typing", promotes visual recall of sight words. The reader is provided with a "box" for each letter of the provided word and a "keyboard" to type (spell) the word. Each letter used within the spelling of the word is sequentially highlighted after the spelling is complete (accurate letters are highlighted in green and inaccurate letters are highlighted in red and replaced with blue).

The First Grade Butterflies' learning and development of sight word mastery is supported through the utilization of the Say It Sight Words iPad app.

a first grader "reads" (orally) a sight word
on the Say It Sight Words iPad app


a first grader's accurate oral identification of a sight word
is reinforced in the Say It Sight Words iPad app
the accurate spelling of the sight word "one"
is reinforced in the Say It Sight Words iPad app

a first grader uses the "Typing" option
in the Say It Sight Words iPad app

Monday, September 16, 2013

subitizing on the iPad

Subitizing is an important mathematical skill in development of number sense.

The First Grade Butterflies use the Quick Images iPad app and the Little Monkey Subitizing iPad app to develop subitizing skills!

subitizing dots on the Quick Images iPad app
subitizing dice on the Little Monkey Subitizing iPad app 
subitizing Rekenrek on the Quick Images iPad app

identifying and storing iPad headsets

The First Grade Butterflies use the Logitech Wireless Bluetooth Headset for iPad!

Each student has an individual bluetooth wireless headset.

With 26 identical headsets, identification is essential.
I printed labels with each student's name and attached to the "outside" (when folded for storage) earpiece.
The sticker label identifies the headset "owner" and labeling the "outside" earpiece provides a visual reminder for students when folding the headset for storage.

The folding feature of the headset and the adjustable mic (that is "stored" on the inside of an earpiece) allows the headset to be stored with minimal space... yeah!

a sticker label identifying the headset "owner"

the Logitech Wireless Bluetooth Headset for iPad
folds and is stored in the "iPad cubby"

student iPad headsets

After much research and too many trials and errors...
I have finally (fingers crossed) found the "best" iPad headset for 1st graders!

The Logitech Wireless Bluetooth Headset for iPad!

The headset includes an adjustable "boom mic"... allowing students to utilize apps with audio recording and/or verbal response capabilities without "background noise"!

The Butterflies are super excited about their wireless bluetooth headsets... and I am, too!

a first grader and the Logitech Wireless Bluetooth Headset for iPad

Saturday, September 7, 2013

iPad storage and identification

The First Graders' individual iPads are "numbered" 1-26 for identification and organization.

Each student is assigned a specific "number" (1-26).
The iPads are stored in wooden "cubbies" when not in use and each cubby is labeled with a number (1-26) on a large binder clip.

The First Graders use their individual number to locate and store the student iPads.

I created "backgrounds" (one "background" for each number 1-26) using Publisher and saved each background as an image.
I emailed each background image to the iPads and imported one "number" image onto each student iPad as the "background"... correlating a specific "number" to each iPad.

The background of each student iPad is viewed on each "page" of the student iPad and supports the identification of the 26 individual iPads.

iPad cubbies

iPad number "10"

Word Wall words and the Word Wizard app

Appreciating the variety of primary, secondary, and multi-modal learning styles within the community of Butterfly learners, I incorporated the Word Wizard iPad app in instruction, guided application, and independent application (with partners) with Word Wall Words.

I mirrored the Word Wizard iPad app onto the SMARTBoard using a VGA cable and guided the First Graders in customizing the settings to "speak" the word when tapped.

The Butterflies used the Word Wizard app to spell, read, and self-check (listen) to Word Wall words.
the Word Wizard iPad app
mirrored on the SMARTBoard
a First Grader learning the Word Wall Word "in"
using the Word Wizard app to spell, read, and check for accuracy

initial sounds with ABC Magic apps


The ABC Magic 4 iPad app and the ABC Magic 5 iPad app support Spellers in hearing and identifying initial consonant sounds.

Using Bear's Primary Spelling Inventory assessment- Spellers within the "initial consonant" stage of spelling development actively hear, identify, and distinguish initial sounds in words (in picture form) using the ABC Magic 4 and the ABC Magic 5 iPad apps.

a First Grade Butterfly hears, identifies, and distinguishes
initial consonant sounds using an ABC Magic iPad app
a First Grade Butterfly uses an ABC Magic app
to sorts words by initial consonant sound

short vowels with Cimo Spelling

"Snowflake" 1 in the Cimo Spelling iPad app supports Spellers in hearing, recognizing, and using short vowel sounds to read and write words.

Using Bear's Primary Spelling Inventory assessment- Spellers within the "short vowel" stage of spelling development actively manipulate letters to spell words with short vowels using the "Snowflake" 1 option in the Cimo Spelling app... reinforcing initial and final consonant sounds and developing knowledge and application of short vowel sounds.
a First Grade Speller uses the Cimo Spelling iPad app

spelling short vowel words
with the Cimo Spelling app

Write-On Handwriting app

Handwriting is an important skill for "writing for a reader"!

The First Grade Butterflies use the Write-on-Handwriting iPad app with a stylus to learn and practice accurate letter formation.

The app allows writers to focus on specific letters with common forms and/or all letters.

two Butterflies using the Write-On-Handwriting iPad app

learning accurate letter formation with the Write-On-Handwriting app