Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Appy Hour!

Are you lucky enough to have a class set of iPads?  Me neither.  HA - but boy do I wish I did.  I do have one of my own that I stupidly bravely share with my class.  So far so good. {Quick, knock on something!}

Our awesome Media Specialist has hosted three Appy Hours at our school and they always prove to be worthwhile.  It's super easy to do.  She sends out a district-wide invitation via email.  Provides drinks {Diet Coke & water, people!} and chocolate {a must} and then we share, share, share!

We spend an hour and some change just sharing with one another the cool educational {and not-so-educational}apps we've been using in our classroom.  I found some good ones tonight and thought I'd pass them along to you!

Gives you free apps of the day - many are teacher/kid-friendly!


Scholastic eBooks - you get five free when you sign up!
 
 
Great way for kids to share their thinking/learning on a specific topic - can draw {using fingers on screen} and talk {record}.
 
There are pop-up ads, but only when you first open the app {each time} - simple timer, and when you've reached your goal a cute & colorful "Well Done" pops up on the screen with Ta-Da'ish music!
Monitors classroom noise level - can set the sensitivity
 
If you have a projector in your classroom this is a must-have ... I don't have one yet, but I'm heading out to grab one...


It's a VGA Adapter which allows you to hook your iPad up to your projector! 
Hook some speakers up and you're good to go!


So there you have it - our own virtual Appy Hour!  Share some of your favorites in a comment below so we can all stock up!!!

9 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  2. I have the Show Me app, but I haven't done anything with it yet!
    Rowdy in First Grade

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  3. Thanks for all the apps and tips! I haven't been brave enough to share my personal iPad with my students yet. I hope I get a class set for my students soon.
    Lori
    Conversations in Literacy

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  4. I love this idea Holly! Our 3rd and 4th grade teachers have them. I will have to share this idea with them! I hope you are having a great week! It seems like forever since we have talked!!

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  5. I wish I had an iPad! On Wish List! Boy, do I need to do a DonorsChoose project! Thanks for sharing! Need to pin so I can remember when I finally do get an iPad! :)
    (and about shopping... admission is the first step, right?) :)
    Cheryl
    Crayons and Curls

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  6. I am stuck on the Show Me app....I need to practice with it more. LOVE the STORIA app!
    Thanks for sharing your favorites for the iPad!
    Great afterschool forum to have!
    Julie
    Ms. Marciniak's First Grade Critter Cafe

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  7. You are braver than I am...I have not worked up the courage to bring my iPad to school...something about 20 rambunctious children prevents me from doing it!

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  8. I got an iPad this year through a Donor's Choose project and I love it!! Storia is great, but I haven't tried the others. Thanks for the great tips!

    Aloha,
    Corinna
    Surfin' Through Second

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  9. Thanks Holly! I found Apps Gone Free last week and have already found some goodies... I'm waiting for the noise-o-meter thing to load now!

    :)
    Christina
    *Bunting, Books, and Bainbridge*

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