Book Creator for Strengths and Goals

In Grade 1, students have been busy preparing for the Strengths and Goals Conferences.  With our 1:1 iPad program, this preparation looked a little different than it has in years past and teachers were extremely positive about the change.

Students used the app Book Creator to document their strengths and goals.  This process allowed students to make an ebook with their voice recorded directly on the page (noted by the speaker symbols seen in the images below).  Teachers commented on the benefits of our younger students having such a powerful voice in what they want to share with their parents on their conference day as well as how valuable it is to hear them state their strengths and goals in their very own words.  They also noticed that students' engagement in the reflection process increased as well.

Using Popplet to Show Prior Knowledge of a Topic

Students in Mrs. Kelly's class used what they already know about a topic to think about words that might be in a book on that topic (prior/background knowledge).  With the app Popplet, students were able to make a mind map/web of words they already knew about their just right book's topic.  This is one way grade 1 students get their minds ready to read a book!  Below is a blog post from one of her students.