App Ideas for Reading Skills Practice???

App Ideas for Reading Skills Practice???

I was asked by a NISD librarian for any APP ideas you all might have for practicing BASIC reading skills.

She has a group of 1st graders who are working on their basic reading skills. She is wanting to incorporate the use of her iPods to help give them additional individualized practice.

If you have a tried and true (FREE) reading app that you use with students to practice basic reading skills, please share it in the comments! 

2012-2013 Elementary iPod Cart Schedule

2012-2013 Elementary iPod Cart Schedule

Here is a link to this year's iPod Cart Schedule...
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AthF156qaq1ddHJIbXJOeVZna3o3R1F2bzNhMW1VaFE

Just a note...I tried really hard to schedule you to honor either your first or second date choice. I was able to do that most of the time, but I couldn't match every single one. I tried...I promise.

Also, at some point in reminding you all to signup for interest, I accidently sent the signup to ECTs. That was a mistake on my end. If your ECT signed up on the interest survey...I deleted that. I apologize for the confusion.

Elementary Network Logins for Students - grades 3rd through 5th

Elementary Network Logins for Students - grades 3rd through 5th

I wanted to make sure that you all knew that this year elementary network logins were created for ALL students in grades 3rd through 5th.

This will come in especially helpful for students when using district iPod Touches and needing to access NISD Wifi. No need to worry about getting the guest password and the cumbersome/complex nature that one tends to be for security.

The login will be the same "4x4" students use when logging into Fastt Math. Access to those usernames and passwords is here.

 

Darth Vader Funny

Darth Vader Funny

I had to share this little "funny" with you all on this Friday morning. Can I hear a YEEHAW!!!???!!!

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to deliver a day of Promethean training to a group of Newcomer teachers in the district....neato group.

Mary Bush, ESOL teacher at Holmes High School, sent this funny to my inbox this morning. Enjoy :) Thank you Mary!

iPod Lesson Ideas - Thinking Outside of the Box

iPod Lesson Ideas - Thinking Outside of the Box

Using the iPod to gather student data (captured photos and captured video) - students can connect iPod Touch to student stations and easily retrieve the photos and videos because Touch shows up as a device/drive

Use the iPod to hold teacher instructions for a center or Math or Science lab/investigation

Using the iPod Photo Album to hold a "Writing Prompt" photo gallery...teacher puts together a large selection of photos and students are able to select one photo each day to write from in their daily journal

Using the iPod's camera tool as part of a scavenger hunt...searching for angles, simple machines, shadows, etc.

Go with a Mission Probable/Possible theme using the iPod as a special device to recieve your mission...students groups are given a device to see get their assignment

Use the iPods during field trips...teacher can create docent like videos/audio files that guide students throughout the field trip

Use the iPods during trips to the Outdoor Classroom

 

iPods in NISD

iPods in NISD

John and Lorraine have been working feverishly to create a wonderful area online where you can find all information for iPods in NISD. The nature of these devices is that there are continuous updates and lots of details to be knowledgeable of. With that in mind, you will find this resource EXTREMELY valuable. Check back for updates periodically! Thank you, John and Lorraine!

This are is located in the Lessons Collaboratory within a course in eLearn.

The main heart of this Lessons Collaboratory are the lessons which are searchable!

This area is also the location where you will find other IMPORTANT iPod Resources, such as:

Apple Manuals

Creating a Video iPod presentation

A look at the different pathways to create a video iPod presentation (2-page Word document). Examples provided.

Creating an iPod Lesson

Two-page Word document outlining the steps in creating a lesson for an iPod.

Creating an Audio iPod Presentation

A look at the different pathways to create an audio iPod presentation (1-page Word document). Examples provided.

Configuring the iPod cart/case and MacBook

Steps to get your iPod cart/case up and running (3-page Word document).

Orientation to Any Video Converter

Any Video Converter can be used to convert videos to an MP4 format. The MP4 is the video format the iPod can recognize and play.

Syncing

Configure your iPods to sync your files with a MacBook or your teacher workstation (PC).

Apps

Currently only free apps can be downloaded. Here are the steps.

iPod Lesson Rubric

2011-2012 Elementary iPod Carts Schedule

2011-2012 Elementary iPod Carts Schedule

2011-2012 Elementary iPod Carts Schedule

Please refer to this schedule and note when you are scheduled to have an iPod cart. iPod carts are picked up from the leaving campus and delivered to the recieving campus on Fridays.

When you recieve your cart, please contact Rose Parks (77810) to go over what you should have recieved and do a "phone verification" of hardware.

When you are losing your cart, please make sure the cart is ready for pick-up in your front office on the scheduled Friday and LABELED clearly with the next recieving campus.

iPod Lessons Collaboratory

iPod Lessons Collaboratory

Info on the new location for the iPod Lessons Collaboratory from Mr. John Hayes that Joyce mentioned to us during our CIT meeting this past Tuesday...

Dear friends.

The new location for the iPod Lessons Collaboratory is at http://elearn.nisd.net/course/view.php?id=280 I have added Mary McBeth's 3 P's in An iPod as a resource link on the front page. In the Lesson Collaboratory itself I have added a comment link so that users can comment on the individual entries.

I recommend that you check your school's entries. You can do this under the Search tab. Remove the check for Advanced Search then click Save Settings. Enter your school name in the Search field and Save Settings again.

You can look through your school's entries and see if anything is missing or not adequately explained and leave a comment at that entry.

This is a work in progress and your feedback is appreciated.

Thanks,
John

 

GUIDELINES for Use of MacBook and iPods

GUIDELINES for Use of MacBook and iPods

1. The iPod cart has its homebase with the CIT. The CIT will work with individual teachers to prepare the iPods with the necessary audio, video or apps needed for the lesson to be delivered.

2. The MacBook is for syncing the iPod cart. It should remain with the cart and NOT be checked out for personal use. Teachers should create their audio or video files with their NISD computer, save as an mp3 or mp4 to a flash drive and then bring those files to the MacBook for syncing. Gerald has the iPod cart configured and ready for syncing and can facilitate the process.

3. The MacBook uses the iTunes library for syncing. When a teacher's project is complete that library can and should be replaced by the next teacher project. It is the responsibility of the teacher to keep their original files. This should not be a problem at all as they are saved to their flash drive.

4. Northside has no mechanism for purchasing music, video or apps from the iTunes store. Only free apps can be used at this time. No purchased music, video, or apps can be synced to the individual iPods. We must have our procedure in place and on firm ground with copyright issues before music, video or apps can be purchased. We are not there yet.

iPods in Elementary - Survey Results

iPods in Elementary - Survey Results

This is a snapshot of where and how iPods are being used in Elementary today...

Leon Valley - 40 Nano (Math, Science, LA/Reading, Social Studies)
Villarreal - 3 Nano (Science, Social Studies)
Hatchett - ESL Bundle w/ Deployment
Henderson - 40 Nano (Math, Science, LA/Reading, Social Studies, Music)
Myers - TBA
Carnahan - 26 Touch
Fernandez - 28 Nano (Science, LA/Reading
Kuentz - 33 Touch (Math, Science, LA/Reading, Social Studies, PE, Library, Music)
Burke - 40 Touch
Hoffman - 27 Touch (Science, LA/Reading, Social Studies, Music, Art)
WWT - 240 Touch (w/ TTIPS Grant)
Forester - 10 Touch (Math, Science, LA/Reading, Social Studies)

SURVEY - iPods in NISD Elementary Schools

SURVEY - iPods in NISD Elementary School

I have an opportunity to attend Lynda Reyes' Elementary C & I Specialists each month. Recently, Joyce and I delivered an overview of iPods in the Classroom. We highlighted many of the projects and lessons you all are using to engage and enrich content areas on your campus!

As we move forward...thinking about curriculum writing and such, the Elementary C & I Specialists were interested in how many campuses are using iPods, how many they might have, how they are using them, etc.

If you have iPods on your campus (or plan to buy iPods for your campus in the near future), please take a moment to fill out this short survey.

I'll compile the results and share out with you all as well...so that we can all have a snapshot of how and where iPods are being used in NISD Elementary Schools :)

Elementary iPod Carts

Elementary iPod Carts

As you all know, this year we have three iPod carts roaming around the elementary campuses around the district :)

iPodimus Prime (set of 40 iPod Nanos)
iPodatron (set of 40 iPod Nanos)
Pogo (set of 19 iPod Nanos)

Doug originally sent out the schedule and plan for the year. Now, I'll be helping with the transition of the carts this year and I wanted to send out an update/reminder for what to expect when you have the cart coming to your campus or leaving your campus.

1. The iPod cart will be picked up from your campus by one of our textbook drivers the last Friday of your scheduled time (see schedule below).

2. The iPod cart will be delivered to your campus by one of our textbook drivers late afternoon of the Friday before your scheduled time OR on the Monday following.

3. Please make sure you look at the schedule and know what campus the cart is going to and attach a large print sign with the CAMPUS NAME and CIT NAME. This will greatly help the textbook driver as well as the recieving campus.

4. If you have never had the iPod cart and would like an overview of how everything works to "get started," please contact someone who has the cart before you to arrange a visit to their campus while they have the cart. This will allow you to have a hands-on experience with the cart so that when it gets to your campus you can hit the ground rolling (the cart has wheels)!!!

4. Rose Parks will be helping me keep an updated inventory of the  iPod carts and all of the items (iPod Nanos, earbuds, cords, Macbook, etc.). She will contact you the last Thursday of your scheduled time (the day before the cart is leaving you) to do a phone inventory. This way we will be able to ensure the carts stay complete and stocked for each campus.

Please contact myself or Rose Parks if you have any questions about your time with the iPod cart :)

Dana

iPod Options - NEW Models Coming...

iPod Options - NEW Models Coming...

Just an FYI...

There are NO iPod options avialable for purchase on the Acquisitions site because of Apple's change in iPod models with the Nano and iTouch. This is an exciting thing, BUT I did want you to know that you can't purchase any (old models or new) until they are evaluated.

Our Acquisitions group is working to acquire eval units for evaluation.

You can expect that we will have selection of iPod Nanos and iPod iTouches available on the Acquisitions site upon completion of the evaluations.

I will keep you posted...

2010-2011 Elementary iPod Cart Schedule