iPad Apps

For class, I was required to go through several iPad to discover some that might help within our classroom. Our ESOL teacher also just got iPads for the classroom as part of a grant so I can actually apply this knowledge. Woohoo! I am feeling a lot of frustration regarding the lack of apps in Spanish as, for many bilingual teachers, the use of an iPad for intervention with Spanish dominant students in language arts and math would be very helpful. However, I found two apps that seem really great (though they need to be purchased) that I decided to review.

This app, called Deep in the Rainforest , states that in it, "children will learn about the Amazon Rainforest through fun and games by traveling with Amanda. The  journey begins when Amanda meets a native boy, Yapariwa, who is looking for his lost brother Atu. As they walk through the rainforest they will discover interesting facts about animals and learn important values of diversity and respect. Our story includes animated text to encourage children's listening and reading skills." It allows students to jump around and play different games while learning facts about the rainforest so it allows for differentiation as well. This is also available in SPANISH--a huge and rare plus as far as apps are concerned. It connects to the Core Curriculum's Module 2 on the rainforest as well so I hope to make use of it.

Another, by the same company, called Amazon Rainforest teaches specifically about the Amazon and the unique creatures that inhabitat it.

The Barefoot World Atlas App allows children to explore:

• A beautifully illustrated 3D globe with multimedia features, including zoom and animated icons
• Music and effects soundscapes for each region of the world
• 3D rotations of historial objects from the Royal Geographical Society
• Live country facts from Wolfram | Alpha
• Audio narration by acclaimed BBC TV presenter Nick Crane
• Enhanced graphics for the new iPad
• Available for iPad®, iPhone® and iPod touch®
• Switch in seconds between English, Spanish, Catalan, French, German and Japanese
  
  
  This app is very individualized as well and allows students to explore the world in an interactive way.

Visual Learner Resources

In order to help out our visual learners with their writing project at the end of Module 1, Unit 2 for CC ELA on engageny, I worked on creating a comparing and contrasting web of the changes that Esperanza experiences during the novel. Also, because we're working on memoirs in our writer's workshop, I'll also share the story mountain we've been using to help the kids map out their seed ideas. We had them write the seed idea at the top of the mountain and then work backwards to see where they might begin their story and then finish up with the solution and conclusion. So far, this has helped a lot as many of our writers end up beginning with waking up in the morning EVERY SINGLE TIME they start a story and, thus far, this has cut this down to only about a quarter of the students starting that way. Thus far, they've been getting a lot better working in some descriptive writing. I'll post the rubric that I adapted to go along with the project some time soon!

Esperanza Rising Webquest

I just finished working on a webquest for Module 1, Unit 3 (http://www.engageny.org/resource/grade-5-ela-module-1-unit-3) that asks students to connect the UDHR's articles to the novel, Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan. I plan to continue to work on it and tweak it to make sure that it is adapted to student needs. It is bilingual, student-centered and provides for intrapersonal, interpersonal, visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners. Let me know if you find any typos or have any ideas to add on!