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.

Conquistadors Debate/Mock Trial Webquest

Sooooo, I used to feel as if webquests were an outdated format for students' exploration on the internet. How wrong I was! I created another one to help teach my students about the conquistadors: Hernan Cortes, Francisco Pizarro, and Christopher Columbus. They are going to stage a debate (trial) in front of the class on Friday. I'm hoping it goes well! You'll need to print a packet for the defense and a packet for the prosecution and then down the webquest. Let me know if you decide to use it! I'd love to know how it turned out.

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!