We love our IPEVO

                                                       Technology Moment
Today I introduced a new piece of technology...an IPEVO. This is a fairly simple document camera with a USB port that lends itself well to the classroom. It is very lightweight and easy for teachers and students to use. In our primary classroom we can use it for projecting a book onto the Smartboard which then creates a 'big book' for all of us to read and see the words. Today we used the IPEVO to take up our math work. I was able to use actual student work, project it on the screen, show and discuss the thought process of the student and change the work if necessary....all while everyone was able to watch on the Smartboard. Using our own work as an example provides the engagement and interest necessary to create meaningful discussion. Sometimes a student may have a math strategy that no one else (including me) has thought of and is able to stand up and explain it. I can even take pictures of the work and upload it to keep for assessment purposes.

Making Words/ Spelling/Word Wall Words

Have you ever wondered where I get the word wall words? No, I don't make them up! I use a really fabulous resource by Patricia Cunningham called 'Making Words'. This is a really great program that focuses on the four blocks of learning. We will be doing lots of  'Working with Words' this term as we learn the process of spelling and not merely memorization.

The letters students use to spell new words!

Vowels are pink, capitals are on one side and small letters on the other

Students are given a clue e.g. Spell the 3 letter word 'sea' that means the water. Then I will use it in a sentence while students are moving their letters around to spell the word. Notice there are 6 letters but they can be combined to spell a multitude of simple and increasingly complex words as indicated on the envelope. Ultimately it ends with the students using all the letters to spell the big word. A big challenge but this provides the kinesthetic learning that some students need. Much more fun than just writing it out all the time. Students will have greater success since you have narrowed the possibilities from the 26 letters of the alphabet to a possible 6. I don't remember ever cheering when I was doing spelling in school. However, it is quite common to hear excitement and giggles as we do 'Making Words' together!

Happy Little Grade One moment!

All our Christmas sheep ornaments at play!