Apple TV...so many ideas

We have just gotten an Apple TV in our class.  We are over the moon.   I can now project my iPad and the students iPads wirelessly from all over the room.  We have had the Apple TV for a week here is what we have used it for.

Whiteboard App
Word building one letter at a time.  We were working on a word building activity at our seats.  Making new words by changing one sound.  Example this is how we spell bat, what would we do to spell mat?  We continue working through words changing the beginning, middle, and ending sound.  The students were working on Smart Pals.  These are whiteboard sleeves that are filled with lined paper.  I was walking around with an iPad that was mirrored on the board.  Our activity suddenly became a quiet one, as the students were showing us on the iPad how to change the sound.  I would place the iPad in front of a student and they would make the letter change and the rest of the class would check their word with the projected word.  They were all so excited to be writing from their seats on the board.  We have since done this activity two more times.

YouTube 
Instant streaming.  They love it!

EnVision Math
I can now sit in front of the kids while we are working with our visual learning bridge to connect our learning.  I sat on the floor with them pausing the video and watching who was paying attention and who was not.

Whiteboard Wednesday 
Six kids on iPads the rest on Smart Pals stretching out, finger spelling and writing words with the sound spellings we are working on.  Each kids had a chance to project their work to share with the class.  They would take the chance to spell in front of the class right from their spots on the rug.

I have so many more ideas of how to use the Apple TV.  Here is a blog post that shares some ways an Apple TV can be used in a classroom http://insidetheclassroomoutsidethebox.wordpress.com/2013/10/13/bringing-apple-tv-into-the-classroom/
More to come in the future.

about our school

I realize that I should probably start by sharing some background about our class since this is our first post.

I teach first grade in Hampstead NH.  Hampstead is a small town in southern NH.  Our school ranges from preschool to fourth grade.  

There are five first grade classrooms each with 17-18 students.  We are very fortunate to have 6 iPads in each room.  We also have projectors and laptops.  We are super excited that the first and second grade classrooms just received Apple TVs.  We are spoiled.  

The students use the iPads daily, and many times twice a day.  So far this year we have used them to explore apps that help us read, write, and practice math skills.  Some favorite apps of ours are Letter School, Todo Math, Starfall, Ten Frame Fill, and YouTube.

My hope with this blog is to share weekly how we are using technology.  Soon our focus will move away from practice apps to showing our knowledge apps.  This is the tech savvy stuff that my six year olds can do.  I cannot wait to share more with you!