Miss Ayres
Kindergarten Teacher
Technology in the Classroom
Connection with ALCOS standards
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“Read emergent-reader texts with purpose and understanding. [RF.K.4]” If used as group reading, site allows a student the opportunity to read and understand texts. (Kindergarten #23)
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“With guidance and support from adults, explore a variety of digital tools to produce and publish writing, including in collaboration with peers. [W.K.6]” Students, with parental assistance, can write, design and publish their own stories on the website. (Kindergarten #28).
Tool |01
Tool |01 Story Bird
Story bird is a website for reading and creating books; whether it is a poem, picture book, or a longform book, there are multiple images to choose from to create your very own story. However, there is also an abundance of published stories already on the site that are available to anyone with a free account; I often put up one of these stories on the smart-board for group reading. Apart from the student accounts, one can also create a personal or even a teacher account; teacher accounts have the option to create a virtual classroom to share stories.
Tool |02 KidRex
KidRex is a search engine designed by Google specifically for elementary age students. Children can independently research informaiton of any topic and KidRex pulls up kid-friendly websites with related information. This website also has a censor on it that prevents children from searching anything inappropriate as well as blocking any risqué sites and malware. I use this website in my classroom because it allows students to work independeltly, fostering autonomy while teaching them to practice safe internet usage.
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Tool |03 Plicker
Plicker is a website/app used that I use to take polls in the classroom. It can be used for any age but is particularly beneficial to younger students who don’t always have access to technology. I often use Plicker by assigning a plicker image to each student online then print them out to give to students; when printed, one can see that each side is labeled with the letters A-D. When a question is presented on the smart-board/projector, students turn their plicker square with their letter anser at the top and hold it up so that I may scan the room as the app gathers the student’s answers. One everyone’s answer has been recorded, I can view how many people voted for each answer as well as who got it right. However, this app is not limited to the use of teachers; students can use it to quiz the class after a presentation. Plicker can be used to make classroom decisions or take anonymous class quizzes to allow for discussion and save the teacher grading time.
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Connection with ALCOS Standards
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“Practice safe use of technology systems and applications.” Provides children with a tool to search the web for information without being subject to inappropriate content. (3rd-5th #5).
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“Collect information from a variety of digital sources.” This site is a great instrument for research and browsing information whether it is for projects or curiosity. (3rd-5th #8).
Connection with ALCOS Standards
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“Identify symbols, customs, famous individuals, and celebrations representative of our state and nation. (Alabama)”. Students can participate in quizzes/polls about events and people throughout Alabama history. (Social Science: Kindergarten #11).
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“Identify whether the number of objects in one group is greater than, less than, or equal to the number of objects in another group, e.g., by using matching and counting strategies. (Include groups with up to ten objects.) [K-CC6].” A poll/quiz can be created to ask students whether a number is greater than, less than, or equal to other numbers. (Math: Kindergarten #6).
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“Solve addition and subtraction word problems, and add and subtract within 10, e.g., by using objects or drawings to represent the problem. [K-OA2].” A math problem can be presented on Plicker allowing students to submit their answers anonymously without judgment so that the class can discuss how they got to that answer. (Math: Kindergarten #9).
(This tool can be used for countless activities in the classroom, I have included only a few of the standards to which it applies)
**This site, and all content displayed on it were created as a part of a class assignment. There is no intent to portray any employment relationship between the author and any school district or school or other employment agency.