Using Technology in a Kindergarten Classroom

Subjects:  Math, Language Arts, Social Studies, Information Literacy

Grade:  K

Technology tools:  Computer(s), LCD Projector, Student Response Devices, Cd/tape player

Tools used:  Interactive website, Video, Audio

Activity type:  Lesson, Unit

Topics/Objectives:

• Social Studies: we were studying symbols.

• Math: No matter what we are studying, the LCD projector is always used. The students' attention is kept because they are more involved. I will use counters, and overhead pieces for the lessons. For Kindergarten, this is very interesting to them.
   
• Literacy: We have a listening and computer center that we use in our classroom every day. Both of these are tied into literacy and what we are studying that week. 

In Social studies we were learning about symbols. We watched a video on United Streaming about different symbols. The students loved it.

In literacy centers every week we have a listening center. Students listen to a story on tape and follow along in their books.

In math and in literacy we use the overhead projector. We use this for many things in math including counting numbers 1-20, addition, shapes, etc...

In literacy centers we also use the computer every week. It depends on what we are currently studying that week as to what the game/activity may be. We have done short vowel games/long vowel game, consonant digraph practice, abcya.com and starfall.com.

All of these activities have been very successful. The students love when technology is involved.

Using PhotoPeach with ESL Students

Subjects:  Language Arts, Science, Social Studies

Grades:  K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Technology tools:  Computer(s), Laptop(s), LCD Projector, Interactive Slate

Tools used:  Interactive website, Video, Digital text / ebook, Audio, Audio creator / editor, Word processing, Image creator / editor

Activity type:  Lesson, Unit, Project, Teacher presentation

I used PhotoPeach, a web-based, user-friendly, slideshow maker, to integrate science and technology, and ESL/ELA content and technology. In one third grade project, students studied main idea, comparing and contrasting, and Tier 2 words, and science content. After drawing pictures and writing descriptive sentences that compared and contrasted, they were able to upload their drawings, and add music, text, and comments to their presentations.

A similar activity was done in first grade; with more of a focus on sentence structure.

Another PhotoPeach project integrated the school-wide Career Day presentations by parents and community members. After pictures were uploaded, students added descriptive sentences, which are now to be presented to parents and attendees at Awards Day.

PowerPoint presentations and interactive slates have been a part of my curriculum for a few years now.

Crystal Pritchett, Jenkins Elementary 

Monkey Math

Subject:  Math

Grade:  K

Technology tools:  iPad

Tools used:  Interactive website, Video, Audio

Activity type:  Lesson

Objectives:

• completes simple patterns
• uses ordinal numbers 1st through 10th
• develops number sense for numbers 1- 30

Using the iPad, the app Monkey Math was utilized in a whole group setting to review the skills stated in the objectives.  Students viewed the activities and took turns participating in the various skills.

Assessment:  Informally assessed by observing their ability to successfully complete each skill and activity

The students love this app.  The skill review is perfect for kindergarten!  We have used it many times this year.

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Looking for resources for using iPads in the classroom?  Check out this collection of related links:

http://www.delicious.com/murraygirl/ipad

iPads in the Elementary Classroom presentation:  http://navigatepd.blogspot.com/2012/02/ipads-in-education-elementary.html

Ipads in education (elementary presentation)