iPad Tips and Resources

I am fortunate to have an iPad in my classroom and would like to pass along some helpful suggestions to you other lucky iPad users. Thanks to some great Simple K12 webinars this summer I am learning all kinds of new stuff and have gathered up some great resources, too!

Here is a link to a cute "Rules for the iPad" poster.  It comes in a single sheet size or a large poster size:
                                    
                                            
           http://www.heidisongs.com/Free_Downloads/assets/Classroom_iPad_Rules.pdf

Here is a link to a poster for the older kiddos:

http://www.livebinders.com/play/play?id=759512

Here is something else I was so excited to learn about - controlling the app students are to use.  I have soooooo many apps in folders on my classroom iPad that it could be very confusing for students, but did you know that you can limit your students to one app, and prevent them from tapping certain areas of the screen?
In settings, go to General (on the left) and scroll down to Accessibility on the right. Turn Guided Access on. Set a passcode.  Once you have Guided Access enabled, go to the app you want your students to use and get on the screen they will be using. Triple-click the home button to activate guided access and lay rectangles over the areas you want to deactivate. For example, you could deactivate the ads at the bottom of an app so the student can’t click them, or the settings button, or prevent the students from viewing any YouTube videos other than the one they are supposed to be viewing. The student won’t be able to do anything on the iPad except that app. Even if they know about triple-clicking the home button to turn Guided Access off, they’ll still need the passcode.

Below are some links for more information on apps, lesson ideas, and other resources:

                                         

1. iClassroom- Livebinder by Jen Goldberg:  http://www.livebinders.com/play/play?id=759512

2.  j2Training Livebinders on digital topics -
 http://www.livebinders.com/shelf/search?search=&terms=j2training&type=1

3.  iPad World -Livebinder by J. Corder and J Gore:
  http://www.livebinders.com/play/play?id=207117

                                  
The following is a great ebook containing iPad educational apps:
http://naomiharm.org/Master%20iPad%20List%20Winter%202012%20Naomi%20Harm.pdf

Here are some Pinterest pages:

1.  Pinterest page by Lennette Holden: http://pinterest.com/lennette1963/ipad-in-the-classroom/
 
2.  Shelly Terrell on Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/shellyterrell/

3.  Melissa Mann on Pinterest:  http://pinterest.com/mnmann/



I hope that you are able to take some time and check out these wonderful resources!  Enjoy your summer!

Spring is Coming!

With spring comes new life, and a wonderful way to view this is on Alcoa's eagle web cam located on the Mississippi River near Davenport, Iowa.

http://www.alcoa.com/locations/usa_davenport/en/info_page/eaglecam.asp

An eaglet just hatched yesterday in the seven-foot nest belonging to a pair of eagles residing here since 2009. My first graders are always very excited to check in on the latest happenings each day. It's so much fun to watch the babies grow, to watch the parents bring food to the nest, and to learn about these amazing creatures, our national birds!


 The site also has other educational resources available for teachers and parents. Everyone should take some time to sit back and just enjoy the incredible sites and sounds of nature at its best! Happy spring!

Snow Fun Resource

Hi everyone!  I just wanted to pass along this great collection of snow related activities, games, and information from Shannon at Technology Rocks Seriously.  Thanks Shannon!

click here