Reading and iPads

Going into each class weekly allows me not only the affordance of knowing the learner but also supporting and personalising their learning needs for that session. This usually looks like me adding on to an already made activity with more specific learning which I get the students to create while with me at the teaching table. The learner is continuing to use the tools on Explain Everything to  complete the reading activity and add new creations at the end of the existing activity. Discussion with the teachers allows me to share what I think may work further or for me to test run their new activity designs. These conversations are so inspiring ... the thought and time that goes in to preparing these activities, to support the learners, is amazing. In one class the learners were having difficulty reading the instructions so the teacher added a sound bite to each activity. A small amount of scaffolding was required to remind the learner to play the sound bite back whenever was required.

PLC

This week my PLC research group met. It was so heartening to hear the reflections and changes that have taken place through their discussions not to mention the improvement in reading of those focus learners. Linking design and innovation with the curriculum and student achievement gives a wonderful hook to hang your hat on!!

Term 2... putting the tools to use.

New beginnings.... this term I'm in classes supporting the reading programme. With the Year 2 and 3 classes not having the experience of using the iPad to deliver reading activities, this year has meant a new learning pathway for the students. Last term, teachers were finding post reading very time consuming as the students had never encountered this type of activity and needed support. Hence my goal... to get the students completely comfortable with independently completing their post reading activity while adding on extra pages for personalised learning needs. Working this way also allows the teacher to discuss ideas, designs and innovations to support personalisation on a weekly basis. Today was wonderful... one of my classroom teachers had a design she wanted me to test run and discuss with her after the fact. On her observation of the learners she could see what changes she needed to make to the activity and even the next step beyond.

PLC. 2.

Yesterday marked my second Professional Learning Circle with my wonderful research participants.
After having a great discussion about where we're all at with our learners, everyone was happy to maintain the original goals set on day 1.



The discussion continued and I was blown away with the insightful, thought provoking reflections that emerged. The innovative designs that were explored and examined showed depth of learner understanding and need but also alignment with the 'reading progression.'
An interesting observation of one of our learners was his reduced absenteesim and desire to hook up on his iPad to continue his 'learning.' His 'learning,' that was designed for his needs, interest and ability level... of course you want to come to school if it's not only fun but personalised and achievable at the same time!!

Shapes and beyond.

It's so neat to see how the teachers are taking the children's ability to use the shape tool and colour wheel into the curriculum. Here's an example of what went on during maths in Room 18.

No need to buy dice anymore... we can make our own!





Next step might be them figuring out how to generate a random number?

Connecting it all up... shapes to arrows and locking it down!

This week the NE /Year 1's had their 'shape' making experience. Most of the learners were able to form a rectangle with their finger but some needed a bit more support. With lots of practise it will become easier... getting that fine motor adjusted enough to drag the shape to the necessary size was tricky!

Interestingly, the learners asked if they could add lines and made a recommendation that they locked down their shapes and lines to stop them moving while they were writing!
What a wonderful bunch of 'thinkers!'




The Year 2's continued with shapes now adding a circle and arrows into the mix. We built a brainstorm as the initial construct and talked about the shapes that may be required to house the words and word groups. Once the brainstorm was completed we decided to create 5 rectangles and 2 circles on our iPads to start our brainstorm.  Making the shapes was easy but the positioning of each shape seemed difficult for most. Creating the arrows was also easy, however, the placement for direction and flow from each shape was very hap hazard and done purely for aesthetics!  This was a good learning curve for the learners... they are comfortable building shapes so can now focus on position and direction! So many curriculum areas covered in one lesson!

Shapes

So.... we can make lines.... Next step... let's make labels using the 'shape tool.' If we type our word or word groups, slide them onto the label and tap 3 x with our finger the text gets locked to the label. Two big questions... "have I used enough crazy colours" and  "why is my red text not showing up on my red label?" Once everything's sorted it must be time to write or type my story.... and my words are right there to help me.

Now where am I from again?