As educators it is important for us to think about what assignments we choose to integrate iPads into. While iPad activities can easily replace worksheets, the purpose of using an iPad in your classroom should be to enhance lessons in ways that make learning student-centered and technology driven. Here are some examples of activities you can use and adjust in your own classroom to enhance your curriculum and lessons. While these lessons do not introduce the Apps to students it should be noted that students should be taught to learn to use an App before being given an assignment that requires them to use it. That said- as the teacher you should explore each App before using it!
Mathematics
At the elementary level, you can make math fun with interactive lessons and practice for elementary students that provide instant feedback. The best approach for teaching mathematics using iPads will depend on the age and ability of individual students. Below are some lesson ideas that follow the Common Core Standards which can serve as starting points for K-4 teachers wanting to include iPads in their math classes.
Operations and Algebraic Thinking
Grade level: Kinder-First
Objective: Students will learn how to add or subtract numbers using a number line. Activity: The teacher will project their iPad onto the board and model a few addition or subtraction problems using the app Number Line. Students will then work individually or in pairs to add and subtract using the app. Differentiation: Challenge students to solve more difficult problems as they progress. Assessment: Circulate and take note of which students are successful and which need additional assistance. |
Measurement and Data
Grade level: Kinder-Second
Objective: Students will learn about measurement by comparing sizes. Activity: The teacher will model how to compare body parts and students will take pictures of different parts of their body. They upload them to the Book Creator app where they create a book with comparing sentences such as: my eye is bigger than a baby's eye or My nose is smaller than an elephant's nose. Differentiation: Students will create books of different complexity and length. Assessment: Create a rubric to assess each student's book. |
Number and Operations in Base Ten
Grade level: Kinder-First
Objective: Deepen our understanding of how to create numbers with the App Number Rack Activity: The teacher will demonstrate how to group numbers by 5s, or 10s. Students will practice this skill using the App and the teacher will circulate and assist as necessary. Differentiation: Students who are ready can begin to use the numbers to perform simple addition and subtraction. Assessment: Observation of which students are able to make groups of 5 and 10. |
Grade level: First-Fourth
Objective: Students will learn how to add two digit numbers together using 10’s and 1’s and then teach their peers the same lesson by creating a short instruction video using Educreations. Activity: The teacher will review (model) how to add two digit numbers by adding the numbers in the ones place, and then the 10’s place using Educreations. Students will create their own videos, reviewing their work to see if their directions make sense. Have students share their work in pairs, small group, or with the whole class. Differentiation: If a student is struggling with this concept, choose another skill you have been working on and have the student teach that skill. Assessment: Create a rubric to assess whether students use all steps in the process and have students email you the project. |
Fractions
Grade level: Second-Fourth
Objective: Students will learn how to identify and create fractions using models Activity: The teacher introduced fractions with a Khan Academy tutorial. Student create fractions using unifix cubes. Using tutorials on the Khan Academy App, students practice drawing models of fractions. Close the lesson by creating a class anchor chart of fractions. Differentiation: guide students to watch tutorials at their individual skill level Assessment: Informal observations |
Geometry
Grade level: Kinder-Second Grade
Objective: Students will explore geometric shapes and their attributes using the App Geoboard. Activity: The teacher may introduce shapes by showing an example of how to create a shape. Students can follow by creating the same shape and others. Differentiation: Assign students a minimum number of shapes they must include depending on their abilities and challenge advanced learners to choose irregular shapes. Assessment: Gather formative assessment by circulating to observe which students can successfully create the correct line segments and geometric shapes or asking students to make particular shapes and assess their abilities. |
Grade level: First-Fourth Grade
Objective: Students will demonstrate their knowledge by creating a presentation. Activity: Students will work in pairs and take iPads around campus and photograph 2D and 3D shapes they find. Students then use PicCollage, Haiku Deck, or Educreations (teacher or student choice) to create a presentation about the shapes. Differentiation: Assign students a minimum number of shapes to include in their project and require them to use grade level appropriate vocabulary. Assessment: Create a rubric to assess each project and have students email you the project for assessment. |
Science
Science units are diverse across different schools and grade levels. One of the best way to incorporate iPads into your science curriculum is through creating a class blogging site. Kidblog is a free and easy to use blogging community you can create and manage for your students. Students can post to the class, individuals, and upload photos and videos easily and safely. Blogging combine science knowledge and literacy skills and can be used for any science topic.
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Grade level: First-Fourth
Objective: Students will learn about the life cycle of a butterfly and demonstrate their knowledge through recording information in the App iDiary Activity: The teacher will perform daily mini-lessons on the life cycle of a butterfly. Students will observe the caterpillar and any changes that have happened, taking a picture with their iPad, recording their observations of the caterpillar and also what they learned from the lesson of the day. Once the caterpillar turns into a butterfly, students will draw a picture of it and upload it onto iDiary. Each journal entry will be a separate page that can be printed and turned into a book for each student. Differentiation: Students who are able to can include more information and vocabulary Assessment: iDiary books can be assessed using a rubric. |
References/ Images
References:
Digital Wish. Retrieved February 26th, 2014 from: http://www.digitalwish.com/dw/digitalwish/disp_plan?id=7308 iPad Lesson Plans. Retrieved February 26th, 2014 from: https://sites.google.com/a/chelsea.k12.mi.us/ipad-lesson-plans/ Kid Blog. Retrieved February 26th, 2014 from: http://kidblog.org/home/ Lone Mountain Elementary School. Retrieved February 26th, 2014 from: http://ccusd93.org/education/school/school.php?sectionid=16 Images: [Number Line] https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/number-line-by-math-learning/id751816884?mt=8[Book Creator] http://www.edudemic.com/8-powerful-apps-to-help-you-create-books-on-the-ipad/ [Number Rack] http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2012/11/geoboard-number-rack-good-elementary.html#.VPYsxOH0_lM [Educreations] https://tackk.com/blendflipshare [Khan Academy] https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/khan-academy-learn-math-biology/id469863705?mt=8 [Geoboard] http://www.educationalappstore.com/app/geoboard-by-the-math-learning-center[Pic Collage] https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cardinalblue.piccollage.google [Haiku Deck] http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2012/09/create-beautiful-presentations-with.html [Kidblog] http://lastbackpack.com/kidblog/ [iDiary] http://www.tabletsforschools.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/iDiary.jpg |
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