building sentences- with the Sight Words Sentence Builder iPad app

The Sight Words Sentence Builder iPad app (by Sierra Vista) actively engages readers in manipulating words into complete sentences.

Sight Words Sentence Builder includes multiple levels of difficulty and a variety of options (for example- narration, audio hints, automatic spacing, and...) that promote independence and scaffolding for student learning.

The Sight Words Sentence Builder iPad app encourages recognition of high-frequency words, attention to capitalization and punctuation, and rereading for accuracy of meaning and structure.

a first grader manipulates words
-using the Sight Words Sentence Builder iPad app 

a first grader uses the Sight Words Sentence Builder iPad app

an adding adventure... with the Addimals Adventure iPad app

The First Grade Butterfly Mathematicians go on an adding adventure with the Addimals Adventure iPad app!

Addimals supports students' knowledge and application of a variety of math strategies to solve single digit addition facts through visual models.

first graders learn addition strategies
-with the Addimals Adventure iPad app

the Addimals Adventure iPad app
promotes mathematical thinking to solve operations

word sorts on the iPad- with the Essential Word Sorts app

Using Bear's Primary Spelling Inventory and analysis of student reading and writing...
I identify the instructional needs of each Butterfly.

Word sorts provide an active opportunity for learners to explore, analyze, discover, compare, and... sounds, spelling patterns, and word features.  Word sorts promote word analysis that encourages flexible and fluent decoding and encoding as readers and writers.

The First Grade Butterflies access and complete word sorts, individualized to their developmental needs as a reader, writer, and speller, in the Essential Word Sorts for the Primary Grades Student iPad app.

I utilize the Essential Word Sorts for the Primary Grades Teacher iPad app to manage and monitor student sorts and progress.

Essential Word Sorts for the Primary Grades iPad app
-mirrored on the SMART Board 

a first grader sorts words by short vowel sound

Move and Match- word sorts

One way we use the Move and Match iPad app in the First Grade Butterfly classroom is for sound and word sorts.

I create custom sound and word sorts within the Move and Match iPad app on my personal iPad and then "export" and "share" the sorts with the Butterflies.  (The Butterflies "import" the sort into the Move and Match app installed on each of the student iPads).

The Move and Match app is a great app for creating customized activities for instruction, guided application, and/or independent application across the curriculum.

word sort "mirrored" on the SMARTBoard

Butterflies complete a word sort on the Move and Match iPad app

a first grader completes a sound sort
-on the Move and Match iPad app

individualized word study- on the iPad

Using Bear's Primary Spelling Inventory- the stage of spelling development for each First Grade Butterfly is identified.

Knowing their individual stage for development (for example- "short vowels" or "long vowel patterns"), the first graders reference the word work app choices chart to identify and select apps supportive of their stage for learning and development.

     -word work app choices are organized within folders on the iPad "Word Work" page
     -the word work app choices chart lists app choices specific to each stage of spelling development
     -the chart is created with app choice "cards" that include printed and visual text for the app, folder location of the app, and specific "options" and/or "activities" within the app

1st graders select and engage with iPad apps supportive of their
individualized stage of spelling development

leveled books on the iPad... K-2 Mobile Reading

Access to a variety of text types and genres that are "just right" for a reader is an essential component in a child's learning and development as a reader.

The K-2 Mobile Reading iPad app

• provides readers access to a variety of 100 Reading Recovery leveled books
• promotes readers' independent selection of "just right" books with simple app navigation and organization
• encourages active engagement throughout the reading process with supportive introductions, post-reading comprehension questions, and...
• includes in-app teacher management tools 
• monitors student reading and comprehension
• provides options of narrated reading, silent-self reading, or recording of reading for each book 

The First Grade Butterfly Readers log-in with individual passwords and access books at his/her "just right" reading level in the K-2 Mobile Reading app.

the K-2 Mobile Reading iPad app promotes and motivates
independent reading

first grade readers actively engage in the reading process
-reading digital books on the K-2 Mobile Reading iPad app

the K-2 Mobile Reading iPad app provides readers access to leveled texts

a first grade reader reads "just right" books on the iPad
-using the K-2 Mobile Reading iPad app

celebrating Butterfly Writers... My Storybook Maker iPad app

After "publishing" a small moment personal narrative story using the My Storybook Maker iPad app... the Butterflies celebrated themselves and each other as writers!

The First Graders accessed peer publications through the My Storybook Reader iPad app on the iPads and collaboratively viewed and discussed the author's purpose, the story structure and organization, elaboration strategies applied in spoken text and visual text, craft strategies, and... with a writing partner.

The First Graders generated and recorded specific motivational feedback for each writer... complimenting the writer's use (or attempt) of a strategy, skill, and/or behavior with purpose to convey meaning.

The compliments were collected, sorted, and organized into "WOW!  YOU should feel so proud of yourself as a writer because..." books and were given to each writer.

first grade writing partners collaboratively use critical literacy skills
and provide written feedback to peers as writers

first graders cooperatively "read" (visual and audio texts)
a small moment personal narrative story published by a peer

first graders celebrate one another as small moment writers
...recording and sharing compliments

publishing narratives with the My Storybook Maker iPad app

To celebrate our learning and accomplishments as "small moment personal narrative writers"...
the First Grade Butterfly Writers became "published Writers"!

The First Grade Writers

• evaluated and analyzed personal narrative compositions written throughout our genre study
• selected one personal narrative story to publish
• used the drawing capabilities in the My Storybook Maker iPad app to create illustrations for each page of his/her story that conveyed meaning and supported the reader's understanding 
• used the audio recording capability of the My Storybook Maker iPad app to record audio of the text for each page of his/her story... using his/her best "storyteller's voice"
• "published" his/her personal narrative story using the save and share capabilities in the My Storybook Maker iPad app

a first grade writer uses the My Storybook Maker iPad app
to publish a personal narrative story

first grade writers create visual images using the My Storybook Maker iPad app
...creating visual images that convey meaning and support the "readers" understanding

a first grade writer uses a Logitech headset
to record audio and to check for clarity, accuracy, and meaning of the written and spoken texts

informed citizens... learning about our world with the News-O-Matic iPad app

The First Grade Butterflies LOVE the News-O-Matic iPad app!

Five new articles are posted each day with kid-friendly language and supportive features (for example- capability to have text read aloud, access to a map indicating the location of the "news", ideas to "act" and become involved, additional "facts", and...)!

News-O-Matic 

• provides readers access to informational text that is meaningful, authentic, and relevant to their lives-world
• facilitates readers' application of reading skills, strategies, and behaviors to construct meaning in a variety of "text" types
• promotes development of knowledgeable, global, and informed citizens 
• incites critical literacy skills
• inspires intentional discourse and problem-solving
• and... 

News-O-Matic is a Butterfly "BEST" iPad app (a "definite-must have" app) for iPads in the classroom and for iPads at home!

a first grader learns about current events
with the News-O-Matic iPad app

first graders become informed citizens
...learning about our world through the News-O-Matic iPad app

first graders record reactions to current events
...learning about our world through the News-O-Matic iPad app

MQuiz- Balance Addition iPad app

Supporting the Butterflies' knowledge and application of equality, symbols of operations, and the concept of addition... the Butterfly mathematicians use the MQuiz Balance Addition iPad app.

The range of numbers is customized to each mathematician's "Zone of a Proximal Development" within the app to promote optimal learning and achievement.

The mathematicians apply knowledge of equality, symbols of operations, the concept of addition, and strategies for addition to identify the missing addend.

rimes- on the iPad

The Word Wizard iPad app is a "favorite" app for instruction, guided application, and independent application-practice for word study!

The Butterflies identified and applied "rimes" in known words (ex: "ike" in the known word "like") to read and make other words (ex: "trike").

the Word Wizard iPad app
mirrored on the SMARTBoard for instruction and during guided application

guided application... making and reading words using the rime "ike"

independent application...
using the rime "ut" in the known word "but" to make and read other words

MQuiz- add 3 numbers

The First a Grade Buttetflies are learning and developing strategies for addition.

To facilitate the use of strategies, promote mental math, and improve fact fluency... the Butterflies use the MQuiz Add 3 Numbers iPad app.

The app is customized for each Butterfly through the selection of number ranges within the app- promoting optimal learning and development within each mathematician's "Zone of a Proximal Development"!

adding 3 numbers
-with the MQuiz Add 3 Numbers iPad app

 Butterfly Mathematicians use ten frames and manipulatives
to support understanding and accuracy with adding 3 numbers

predicting as Readers... using the Reading Booster iPad app

The First Grade Butterflies are learning about the comprehension strategy of predicting!

As readers, the first graders have been learning about the importance of predicting before and during reading to support their understanding.

Using the mentor text Emma Kate the Butterflies were introduced to the Reading a Booster iPad app!
The Butterflies explored the "predicting" option within the app to record predictions before reading using visual representations, typed text, and audio recordings.

the "predicting" option in the Reading a Booster iPad app mirrored on the SMARTBoard

a first grade reader records her prediction through a visual representation
-using the Reading Booster iPad app 

a first grade reader creates an audio recording to accompany the visual representation of her prediction
-using the Reading a Booster iPad app

self reflection- the iPad camera app

The First Grade Butterflies have been learning and applying strategies for speaking, active listening, and learning cooperatively and collaboratively with peers.

Using the video capability of the iPad camera, I videotaped the Butterflies during a variety of  experiences in which they were engaged in speaking, active listening, and cooperative and collaborative learning in whole class, partnerships, or small groups.

Using an AVG adaptor to mirror video segments on the SMARTBoard, the Butterflies self-reflected on their speaking, listening, cooperation, and collaboration skills.

The opportunity to view and hear themselves facilitated honest self-reflection that promoted students' recognition of strengths and skills for development.

sentence editing- with the Daily Sentence Editing iPad app

Composing complete sentences with accurate grammar, capitalization, and punctuation independently in writing are important skills for first graders development as writers.

Editing writing for accurate sentence structure, capitalization, and punctuation is a difficult skill for first graders.

The Daily Sentence Editing Grade 1 iPad app supports writers skills for composing and editing sentences!

The Daily Sentence Editing iPad app is utilized for instruction and demonstration (through mirroring on the SMARTBoard), guided application, and independent student application.

the Daily Sentence Editing Grade 1 iPad app mirrored on the SMARTBoard
during instruction and guided application

a first grader uses a stylus to edit capitalization and punctuation
-using the Daily Sentence Editing Grade 1 iPad app

a first grader self-checks the accuracy of an edited sentence
-using the Daily Sentence Editing Grade 1 iPad app

sentences- with the Sight Word Sentence Builder iPad app

The Sight Word Sentence Builder iPad app supports literacy development.

Using the customizable options and "levels" within the app, the First Grade Butterflies develop knowledge and understanding supportive of individual needs. 

Reassembling "cut up sentences" facilitates application of one to one correspondence, directionality, capitalization, punctuation, identification of high-frequency words, creation of meaning through written text, grammar, and sentence structure.

a first grader reassembles a "cut up sentence"
-in the Sight Word Sentence Builder iPad app level 4

a first grader checks the accuracy of a reassembled sentence
in the Sight Word Sentence Builder iPad app

leveled texts- HMH Readers iPad app

The First Grade Butterflies access a variety of fiction and non-fiction leveled texts for independent and/or partner reading through the HMH Readers iPad app.

The Readers reference a chart to identify texts that are "just right" for independent and/or partner reading.

The app is-can be utilized during guided reading instruction... using a book in digital format!

a 1st grader reads a "just right" book
-using the HMH Readers iPad app

1st grade Reading Partners
-post-reading and the HMH Readers iPad app

MQuiz Number Line- sequencing numbers

As Mathematicians, the First Grade Butterflies are developing their understanding of number sequence!

To support their development of strategies and skills for counting on and identifying numbers- the MQuiz Number Line app is used for guided and independent application.

The MQuiz Number Line app's capabilities to select number sequences (1-10, 10-20, 20-50, 50-100, 100-1000) and number of questions are used to individualize the application for each Butterfly based on his/her knowledge and Zone of Development for learning counting and number sequences!

a 1st grader identifies the missing number
-on a number line with number sequences between 50 and 100

a 1st grader uses the MQuiz Number Line iPad app
-to sequence numbers between 100 and 1,000

David Catrow and the iMovie iPad app

Through the generosity and support of The Mason Schools Foundation, First Graders at MECC spent an hour with author and illustrator David Catrow!

Prior to Catrow's visit, the First Grade Butterflies learned all about David Catrow as an author and illustrator!

The Butterflies learned how as an "illustrator"- David Catrow is a READER!  

He uses comprehension strategies to understand the meaning of the author's words to create visual images that convey the meaning through pictures!

The Butterflies read- explored- and examined many of David Catrow's books and works as an author and as an illustrator.

The Butterflies are Illustrators!

The first graders used comprehension strategies to create and understand the meaning of Alan Katz's words in the poem (song) of "I Don't Want to Do Homework" (one of Katz's poems illustrated by Catrow).  

   -the Butterflies did not view-explore-examine Catrow's illustration of the poem prior to illustrating-  to facilitate their own creation of meaning and visual text

The first graders created visual images that conveyed the meaning of the Katz's words and the meaning of the poem! 

I used the iMovie iPad app to record digital images of each Butterfly's illustration and to record audio of each Butterfly reading ("singing") the lines he/she illustrated.  I purchased and used an instrumental version of the song "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" as background music.  I used the "create a project" option in the iMovie app to create a multi-media presentation of the Butterflies' learning (view iMovie project through link below...)!

The Butterflies' "original" illustrations were on display in the MECC KIVA during Catrow's visit and presented to David Catrow as a gift of our appreciation as an important "mentor" in our learning!

click the video link below for-

"I Don't Want to Do Homework"

written by Alan Katz

illustrated and sung by the First Grade Butterflies

video on YouTube:

http://youtu.be/M5ONg-X8x-I

A BIG THANK YOU to the Mason Schools Foundation for providing the first graders at MECC with the amazing opportunity to learn about, with, and from David Catrow!

the BEST iPad stylus for 1st graders...

After many many (unfortunately too many) broken styluses and money spent (unfortunately lots of money) on styluses- I finally found a stylus that is durable, cheap, and promotes a tripod pencil grip... the "short" Universal Capacitive Touch Screen Pen!

I cut off the string and jack insert (to prevent play).

Most importantly- the first graders love the styluses and initiate use with the iPad! YEAH!


     Bundle of 10 Colorful Short Stylus Universal Capacitive Touch Screen Pen for Ipad 1 2 3 Ipod Iphone 4 4S 3g 3gs Motorola Xoom Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 1 [Wireless Phone Accessory]    

"short" universal capacitive touch screen stylus pens