Empowering Young Learners to Create, Share and Grow
- “Can we go to the “piggy” app?”
- “Are we doing the green and yellow swirly one?”
These are some of the questions that you may hear when entering my kindergarten classroom at Saint Eugene School as they sit, iPad in front of them, waiting for directions. Kindergarten students love to use technology for fun and as an educator we can create a classroom where they are using the technology to grow as learners, as well as to have a good time.
It takes patience and practice to have five and six year olds understanding how to make their way through a particular app but it is well worth it in the end. Apps like Front Row (great for differentiating math and ELA problems) and Seesaw (wonderful for sharing their classwork with parents) are very kid friendly to use. It was really easy to get them logged in and even easier once the students started to regularly use them. I always allow the children to be the “driver” and I am just the “co-pilot” giving direction. If I tell my students to “hit the blue button” or “look for the green circle with the check in it” they can visually move themselves around the app. Many times just one guide through the app is all that is needed for the students to gain an understanding what needs to be done. Students then become my assistants helping other students master these apps.
- “Are we doing the green and yellow swirly one?”
These are some of the questions that you may hear when entering my kindergarten classroom at Saint Eugene School as they sit, iPad in front of them, waiting for directions. Kindergarten students love to use technology for fun and as an educator we can create a classroom where they are using the technology to grow as learners, as well as to have a good time.
It takes patience and practice to have five and six year olds understanding how to make their way through a particular app but it is well worth it in the end. Apps like Front Row (great for differentiating math and ELA problems) and Seesaw (wonderful for sharing their classwork with parents) are very kid friendly to use. It was really easy to get them logged in and even easier once the students started to regularly use them. I always allow the children to be the “driver” and I am just the “co-pilot” giving direction. If I tell my students to “hit the blue button” or “look for the green circle with the check in it” they can visually move themselves around the app. Many times just one guide through the app is all that is needed for the students to gain an understanding what needs to be done. Students then become my assistants helping other students master these apps.
Front Row allows me to assign individualize content to meet the needs of every learner in my classroom. It provides adaptive, high quality, standards aligned content in Math, Science, ELA and Social Studies. The K-2 lessons are designed specifically for students still learning to read, with bright colorful buttons and graphics along with audio guided lessons. Front Row allows me to see what my students know and where they need help on an individual basis. I love the easy to read weekly progress reports Front Row generates for each student. With Front Row, I know I my students are working at their highest potential, and my kids LOVE using it.
SeeSaw is a digital portfolio platform that allows me to share photos, videos, and class updates with all of my parents in a secure setting. It also allows students to share their work directly with their parents or guardians too. With Seesaw my student’s creativity is no longer contained by the physical walls of my classroom. They are able to show me and their parents how they have mastered a skill, whether it by a picture, a video or a drawing. Also, the bonus with Seesaw is that when their parents sign in to see their child’s portfolio, it answers every parent’s question: “What did you do in school today?”
Kindergartners are very eager and enthusiastic learners. They love using technology in my classroom. Front Row and SeeSaw are both easy to use, and provide a fun way to learn. As a teacher, they both provide me with tremendous feedback and data that help to guide my future lessons.
Ms. Kellianne Miley
Saint Eugene School
Kellianne has been teaching at Saint Eugene's for thirteen years. She spent the past eleven years teaching fourth grade, and recently decided to switch to kindergarten. We encourage you to follow her on Twitter @kindermiley. You may recognize her from her time on the children's show Romper Room! When she is not teaching, you can find her surrounded by her granddaughters Julie Grace and Ella Rose!
Kindergartners are very eager and enthusiastic learners. They love using technology in my classroom. Front Row and SeeSaw are both easy to use, and provide a fun way to learn. As a teacher, they both provide me with tremendous feedback and data that help to guide my future lessons.
Ms. Kellianne Miley
Saint Eugene School
Kellianne has been teaching at Saint Eugene's for thirteen years. She spent the past eleven years teaching fourth grade, and recently decided to switch to kindergarten. We encourage you to follow her on Twitter @kindermiley. You may recognize her from her time on the children's show Romper Room! When she is not teaching, you can find her surrounded by her granddaughters Julie Grace and Ella Rose!
AOPTech would like to thank Ms. Miley for sharing her kindergarten classroom with us.
If you know of a teacher that should be featured next month let us know - Nominate a Teacher
If you know of a teacher that should be featured next month let us know - Nominate a Teacher