Caterpillars and Butterflys

Room 24 had the opportunity to take photos of a naked swan plant hosting a number of starving caterpillars. It was one of those teaching moments that can't be let go. The children had to take a photo up close, crop it, lock it down and then use the pencil tool. We used the stylus during this time to create the next stages of the life cycle with a focus on using the right sized tip on the pencil tool and also the correct colours. The Apple Tv enabled us to flick back and forward to images of a chrysalis and a fully formed monarch butterfly. This helped the children with not only the shape but also the colour and designs required. We shared on the Apple Tv at the end of the class.

1st Stylus day.

Today in one of our Year 1 / NE classes we used the Stylus for the first time.
I began by going through our process of taking a photo in Explain Everything and sharing it on the Apple TV. I chose to take a photo of my favourite book in the library corner. We co-constructed a story about our favourite book which I  wrote it on the white board with their support. I introduced the Stylus and had a full Kawa of Care explained to me from these amazing 5 year olds! The 'what' and 'why' we have to look after our Stylus was a delight to hear!
I continued sharing on the Apple TV as I transcribed the story from the whiteboard on to my i pad under the photo of my book.


Now it was the children's turn. The room was a buzz with activity while photos were being taken. When it came time to use the Stylus there were some "I can't" but that was short lived. The room was now a hush with stories being written.






A WOW moment: One of our little learners, who has not been engaged with school since starting, completed the task (his first to date) and was so proud of himself.














We also had deviation from the story with one little girl completing her sentence by incorporating the title from her chosen book.

Feeling really excited for these wonderful learners...their engagement and excitement is so encouraging!!

Week 3...

The classes are slowly diverging in their use of Explain Everything. The Year 1's continue to progress adding on one new tool at a time. This week it's the 'pencil', choosing a colour and writing a simple sentence under a photo they had taken. All Year 2's and the Year 2 / 3 mix have focussed on cropping their photo, locking it down and typing their story followed by a voice recording.  The Year 2 / 3 mix have also been pushed further during the week by their teacher and are learning how to write in a Doc and publish on their Blog. After this week all the classes are ready to add text to any of their creations by using either the stylus or keyboard. I've been pushing the need to practise, practise, practise!!
It will help not only the learners but also the teachers be more adept and faster at using Explain Everything. A win win situation!