iHeart iPads

Of course, 1st graders are LOVING the iPads! We have been using the iPads as digital learning tools for so many different learning opportunities.

First, we used it as a white board and practiced writing (with our finger-of course) different letters and numbers we've been learning.

Some other highlights were taking a picture to use as our background and writing our name using multi-colors. We even learned some iPad tricks which take just a little bit of Miss Klipfel magic.

1st graders also learned how to locate and sign into IXL all by themselves.  Now we're ready to explore some more apps!

Scavenger Hunt

1st graders and their Kindergarten buddies went on a Weather Scavenger hunt in the courtyard.  Using all their knowledge of weather, spring and Mother Nature, 1st graders used the iPads to take photos of items on their scavenger hunt list.

Finding something that lighting could strike

Finding something that changes
with the seasons

Finding something that crawls

When we headed inside, students used the apple TV to share their photos.  Here's a peek at life through a 1st grade eye:

Something that could be carried by the wind

Something that is warm

Something that is shaded from the sun

Something that will grow towards the sun

Something that will evaporate and become part of a cloud

Not only are these photos fantastic but it was also wonderful to hear the scientific discussions going on.  1st graders and Kindergarten friends came up with different creative photos for all the items on their list.

How to...

In Writer's Workshop, 1st graders have been focusing on informational writing.  Each student chose a topic they were an expert on to create a "How To..." book.  Once students decided on a topic they began with a rough draft, making sure to use rich transition words.  Next, students used green pens to revise and edit their work.  After that, 1st graders used scribble press on the iPads to create a how to book.

I was very impressed to look around the classroom during Writer's Workshop to see every single student, I repeat EVERYONE on task for the whole writing block. 1st graders were so into creating their books and repeatedly asked and begged to finish them.

Students using their rough drafts and turning them into published books

Check out our published Scribble Press creations by clicking on the book titles below.  

Brady: How to Get
Ready for Baseball

Kaitlin: How to Play
Tennis

Riley: How to Make a
Paper Airplane

Olivia: How to Play Just
 Dance Three

Mia: How to Swim
on a Swim Team

Rayan: How to
Play Soccer

Kurt: How to Be a
Soccer  Goalie

Kenna: How to Skate

Emma: How to Make
a Dog with Cans

Max: How to Play
Flag Football

Andrew: How to do
a Belly Flop

Allison: How to
Rock Climb

Ana: How to Play
Tennis

Jake: How to Play Wii

Aidan: How to Ski

Rebecca: How to
Make a Necklace

Ariana: How to Ride
a Bike

Nick: How to Slam
Dunk a Basketball 

Liam: How to Make a
Snake Grow

Clouds

1st graders have turned into meteorologists and are learning all about clouds.  It's as much fun as being on cloud nine.  We have learned about four main types of clouds: cumulus, cirrus, stratus & cumulonimbus.  Students have learned describing words for these clouds, constructed cloud flip books and even went on a cloud QR hunt with the iPads. 

Playing  Name that Cloud on the Smartboard  

After 1st graders learned all about the four different types of clouds, they used the iPads to go on a QR hunt.  Using the app, Qrafter, students worked in pairs to scan the QR codes located around the classroom.  When students scanned each code it brought them to a question about clouds.  They discussed the answer with their partner and then recorded it on their answer sheet.  Try scanning the code below (all you need is any free QR scanning app).  

Try scanning this code!

Once students became experts on clouds, they made their own cloud flip book.  Students used cotton balls to make realistic looking clouds then flipped open their books to write describing words.  Do you know which clouds are the dark and stormy cumulonimbus clouds?  Or which clouds sometimes look like pancakes?

Can you tell which clouds are high and wispy?

Make sure to take a peek at the clouds with your child.  They have tons of cloud knowledge to share!

100th Day

We finally celebrated the 100th day in 1st grade!  One day late but Valentine's Day was already jam packed with festive activities yesterday that we needed a whole day to really celebrate the 100th day.  1st graders are 100 days smarter and 100 days older...we sure did look a lot older today.

During math we headed over to the Fuller Meadow Senior Center for a few games of place value bingo.

I bet you didn't know your 100 year old Grandma knew how to skype.  Us old folks can definitely learn new things and today we skyped with a Kindergarten and 3rd class at Steward School in Topsfield.  Thanks Mrs. Klipfel for skyping with us.  We made sure our hearing aids were turned all the way up.

iPads are so easy to use that even when you're 100 years old you can still use them.  We met our 100 year old Kindergarten buddies in the amphitheater to explore the new apps on the iPads. 

Boy were we ready for the early bird special and a nice nap by the time our day was done (especially Granny Klipfel)! 

Valentine's Day

Roses are red, violets are blue.  Miss Klipfel's Class says, Happy Valentine's Day to you!  Enjoy our Valentine's Day poems by clicking the video below.  We hope your day is filled with chocolates, hearts and lots of love.  

XOXO Miss Klipfel's 1st Grade Class

Groundhog Day

Happy Groundhog Day!  1st graders have been learning lots of fun facts about groundhogs.  Did you know groundhogs take a breath once every six minutes when they hibernate or that their teeth never stop growing? Or how about that they are the biggest member of the squirrel family?  We read non-fiction texts and used National Geographic for Kids to learn all about groundhogs.  Then 1st graders made predictions on whether Phil would or wouldn't see his shadow.

Looks like most of the class predicted correctly!

On Friday, we met up with our Kindergarten buddies in the amphitheater to do a little groundhog activity on the iPads.  As a group, we read Gretchen Groundhog, It's Your Day!  Then, 1st graders and their Kindergarten buddies worked together to illustrate the main idea from the story.

1st graders and their K buddy were able to choose which app they wanted to use.  Some used educreations, drawing box and others used drawing pad.  This gave their finished products some nice variety   Look at how adorable our groundhogs came out!

Long iPad

I'd like to buy a vowel, a long i please?  During reading this month we have been focusing on the sneaky silent e! He sneaks up on a consonant and makes the vowel say its name.  To practice with sneaky e and other long i words, students made their very own apps for our long i iPad!

Our long i iPad with long i apps!

Students came up with such creative apps like spy girls, apple time, fighting guys, ice cream monkey and mining seven.  Check out some of our app pictures!

Tuff Tiger & Lime Guy

Fruit Fly & Mighty Pilot

These apps look like so much fun!  If only we could really get some of them on our iPads.