Continuing to Make Progress!

Today I left school amazed at how much my students did during the day. You never know how a Monday is going to go, especially in kindergarten. Will the students be want to go home? Will the students be sleepy all day? Will the students have a lot of energy? As the students walked in, I knew it was going to be a good day. They are starting to remember routine tasks in the classroom (like going to their lockers, checking their folders, turning any important paperwork in, finding their seats, etc.). It is amazing just how far they have come in a few short weeks. Although there is a lot to practice and learn, I am thrilled at the progress we have made.

We took our iPads out for the second time today. If you would have asked me a week ago to take them out, I probably would have said that we were not ready yet. As the week came to a close last week, I felt that my students and I were ready to begin using the devices. I am very particular about how the students take care of the iPads. Whatever I do now will set the stage for the rest of the year. I felt successful with the iPads last year, and I only hope that this year will be just a little bit better than last year.

With some interactive modeling, we reviewed the proper way to carry an iPad. The students take this task very seriously and often times remind each other of proper care. We learned how to adjust the volume today. It was also important to review how to use the home button (which I started to also call the belly button), put the iPad to sleep, and how to wake it up. Again, these simple skills are going to be crucial in using the devices throughout the school year. After practicing these skills, I gave the students a little bit of time using the app Alien Buddies. Several of my students mentioned that they love the iPads, and I know that they will continue to love them throughout kindergarten. 

More adventures to come soon!

Tomorrow is a BIG day!

Tomorrow is going to be a BIG day in KO! Before going home today, I told that students that I have a very fun surprise for them tomorrow. They don't know the surprise, but I will let you in on our secret. We are going to take the iPads out for the first time this year! The students have been asking about "the big black thing." This "big black thing" they are talking about is the iPad cart! We are not going to do anything big with them tomorrow, but I think it will be very fun and exciting for my little friends. We will simply learn how to hold the iPad and how to turn it off and on. Although this seems small, these skills are huge for us as we venture into the iPad world in our classroom. Wish us luck!! I will be sure to give an update on how day 1 went with the iPads.