Activities for everybody

We are about at the point where everyone will start working in centers (hooray!)...so now, I'm trying to make sure that we have activities in the centers that are appropriate for all of our students.  As it stands now, a lot of the activities we have in the centers are not going to work (without significant modifications) for some of our special education students. 

My challenge for today has been to try to (simply) create some slideshow videos with music. I was able to locate an app (Photo Slideshow HD, $3.99) that let me do that pretty simply...but, since nothing I do can be completely simple, I also had to figure out how to create a "clip" from a piece of music--I thought a 2-3 minute video might not hold the attention of some of our kiddos.  Thankfully, you can find answers to just about any problem on the internet. :)  (For anyone who might be interested in how to do that, I've included the simple instructions at the bottom of this post.)

Once I created the videos, I added them to one of the SMART Table activities, AND I inserted them into a switch-accessible activity in Classroom Suite 4 (in the Computer center).  I didn't create the activity...Linda Burkhart did, I just used her template and directions, and inserted my own videos.  There were some issues with downloading the templates right from her site...but I sent her an email, and she sent the files to me. I don't know if she was able to get the site working...but I definitely recommend visiting it--lots of great resources. 

By activating one (or two) switch/s (or directly touching the touchscreen on the computer), students can view the video (slideshow) for that particular season.

Screenshot of CS 4 switch-accessible "select/watch video" activity

I also went on a quest for some cause/effect type apps for the iPads.  I found a couple that are free...and a couple of others that are not.  Some of the ones I liked were Fun Bubbles ($0.99...there is also a lite version that is free) - when you touch the screen, it makes a bubble (hold the screen to make a bigger bubble), then you can pop the bubbles;

screenshot of fun bubbles app

and Heat Pad ($0.99, there is a lite version of this one too...which is free) - it changes colors based on touch, and there is music in the background as well. 

screenshot of heat pad app

My next task is to get my order ready for some switches for our iPads & iPod touches...to really make our iListen/iLearn center more accessible!

We're just about finished with all of our center introductions now...so, when we return from break, we are going to start jumping right into working in all of our centers.  Our (mine & Miss Helen's) roles will switch from "teaching" to "facilitating"...we will be trying to encourage language and communication while we interact with the students in the centers.

Creating a clip from a song in your iTunes library

Okay, so now for the "making a clip from a song in an iTunes library" instructions.  The instructions I found online were for an older version of iTunes (I realized after I started that I had just recently updated my version to 11...and that changed a whole lot of things)...so I have adapted them for iTunes 11.  If you have not updated your version of iTunes, the instructions I located during my search would probably work better for you.

First, locate the song in your iTunes library.  I found it helpful to play the song and sort of get an idea of where I want to stop/start the song.  Right-click on the song in the library and go down to "Get info".  

Then click on the "Options" tab.   Here's where you enter your Start & Stop time...you can change one or the other, or both.  When you've done this, click "OK".

options tab

Then (and this is the part that was really different from older versions of iTunes), while the song is still highlighted, go up to "File" and down to "Create New Version" and then to "Create AAC Version".  After doing this, you should see your "edited" version right near your original one.  I went back in to the "info" (right-click-->get info) and renamed it so I could keep track of which was which.

create new version (aka saving your clip)

We're back...after a short break

Well, we've had some scheduling *stuff* going on over the past couple of weeks (school pictures...then book fair...then Thanksgiving break) which has prevented us from having our regular MMC classes.  We're back now...for a bit anyhow!

Table display - Scholastic Book Fair

Book display - Scholastic Book Fair

During our hiatus, I was able to fix our SMART table.  Hooray!  I replaced the table top so now we have a nice, new (functioning) SMART table.   We're so excited about this that we're going to be introducing it this week to the classes.

We're getting ready to start the new theme - Seasons All Around - so the activities on the SMART table (and in the other centers as well) will all be focused on the seasons.

On the SMART table, there are 4 activities for this theme that can be accessed from the main screen.

Main menu - Seasons activities on the SMART table

 One is a "Media" activity: in this activity, students will explore pictures of activities from all of the four seasons.  There is also a short "seasons" video they can watch as well.  They can manipulate the pictures--making them bigger or smaller, turning them around and upside down.  The purpose of this activity is really to encourage language and vocabulary related to the theme.  In order for this to work, it's really important that there be an adult present to facilitate it.  That's not to say that we want the adult to "quiz" the kids--"where's the winter picture?"  Rather, something along these lines: "Oh, wow!  Look at all the colors on those trees," or "That looks like fun! Have you ever been on a slide like that?"

"Media" activity

 In the "Multiple Choice" activity, there will be a picture in the center (just of a scene or of an activity) and the students will need to decide which season best goes with that picture.  To answer, each student (4 allowed at this center) will have their own set of four season cards in front of them and will drag the correct answer onto the picture in the middle.  Everyone has to get the right/same answer or it will spit all the cards back out.  When everyone gets the correct card in the center, it'll let them know they got it correct.

"Multiple Choice" activity

 The "Paint" activity is just what it sounds like.  They can use their fingers to *paint* the leaves different colors.

"Paint" activity

 In order to exit an activity, each student will have to touch his/her "X" (in the corner near where he/she is sitting at the table).  Once everyone has touched his/her "X", the table will return to the main menu.

We hope that by the time we return after Winter Break, we will be all finished with our center introductions, and ready to get to work in these centers. 
 

Week #4 has been a bit of a challenge

We've had some major technical issues here in the MMC this week.  We can't seem to get a functioning laptop for our SMART board center...which is sort of a problem, since that was the center we were introducing this week!  Thanks to everyone for being flexible while we work through this glitch.  I'm in the process of ordering a new laptop for the MMC, but it will take a little while to arrive...so I am trying to figure out an alternative in the interim.

In the meantime, I am working on some modifications for some of our more challenging groups.  I found some great board books on a shelf, 

and I'm working to get those adapted. 

I started to adapt some of the more simple books using the Storyrobe app (on the iPad).   I took pictures of each of the pages, and then used those pages in Storyrobe to create a "video" of the story.  After I finished one, the teacher in me kicked in and I couldn't let go that there was no text.  That would not do.  We have to have text in the story...have to take every opportunity to expose kids to literacy.  So then I remembered that I found a (free) app that lets you add text to your photos. I pulled all the photos into an album on my iPhone, used that app to add text (using the voice-to-text features of the iPhone made that task a bit quicker).

 

Screenshots of the story adapted using Storyrobe

I really want to get some orders in for new equipment since I have found that many of my old standby companies have now jumped on the iDevice bandwagon, and are carrying switches that will work with our iDevices!

Here are a couple of pictures from our classes this week:
 

Read to Me Center

iListen & iLearn Center

MMC Photo Gallery

Click here to view these pictures larger

Surveys

If you've been to the MMC, you know that we have the little "I visited the Multimedia Center" papers for the students...so they can share the center they worked in and what they thought about it.  Well, after talking with one of the teachers--who said her students had a tough time filling out the paper once they returned to the classroom--I started to think about a different way we could do it.  What I really wanted was a way that we could do it electronically (maybe with an app?)...so we could have the kids complete it before they left the center. I also wanted to create a survey for the staff--so I can get feedback about the activities.

So, I started looking (in between classes yesterday) for survey apps.  There are lots of them, in case you were wondering.  I was looking for one with specific features, though.  Since I want the students to do a "survey", I needed to find one that (in addition to being *free*) allowed me to add pictures.  It didn't take me as long as I thought it would to find one: Polldaddy.com. With a free account, you can create surveys, quizzes, polls, etc.  Among lots of nifty other features, they offer the ability to add pictures to surveys, and they have a free app for iDevices.  

I am excited to start trying this out with the kids...we'll probably start with our PreK/Head Start classes.  Here are some of the nifty things you can do with this site/app:

• Embed the kids' survey in the SMART board activity (it's on the last page).

Screenshot from SMART Notebook - Embedded kids' survey

•  Create QR codes to put on the center signs, or blog/newsletter (that can be scanned with any phone or iDevice with a code reader--you can get them free, too; you can actually scan these images below and it'll take you to the survey...so cool!).

MMC Center Survey (staff) QR code



Center Survey (kids) QR code

•  Link the apps on the iDevices (iPads/iPods) to the surveys so they can be accessed right from the center.

Now I just need to get a functioning laptop in there, and I can start working hard on the accessibility & communication stuff.  I guess that'll be tomorrow's task. :)

Week #3: More introductions...and a chance to choose

For those classes who come every week, we're moving right along to our 3rd center introduction: SMART_™ Board Center.  If you visited the media center last year, this activity (below) might look familiar to you.  Since most of the teachers are familiar with the SMART_™ Board, the only introduction we'll really do for this center is to show the students how to stand to the side (so they are not blocking the projector).  After that brief introduction, we're going to let the students have a chance to choose (from the 3 we've talked about), and go to work in a center.

Objectives

Menu for the 3 activities:  Creaky Old Bed,
Family Member Balloon Pop, & Family Member Matching

This (choosing centers) will probably take a little bit to get used to, but our first group did a really good job remembering everything they'd learned in the first two weeks (about the other centers)...so I think it'll work. :)

Students working in the Read to Me Center...

...and in the iListen & iLearn Center...

...and in the SMART™ Board Center

On a side note, I will be posting pictures directly to the blog sometimes, but I have also created a photo album that will contain all the pictures we take in the MMC.  You'll see it also as a post...but you can get to it by clicking the link as well. :)   Teachers, make sure you let Helen or I know if you have students who do not have permission for photographs.

For the classes who only come to see us every other week, don't fret...we'll get there.

One more thing...this week, I'm sending with teachers the *official* newsletter from the Multimedia Center to go home with students.  I hope to do this monthly--for those families who might not have access to this blog, but would still like to know what's going on.  Just in case I forget (or if I don't give you enough), here's the file--so you can print more.  It is double-sided, so if you're printing to send home, make sure to select the double-sided print option (so we don't kill more trees than we need to).

Week #2: Still an intro for some...a 2nd center intro for others

Sorry this didn't get posted last week...I got it half-way written and didn't quite get to the posting.

We're moving right along...now in Week #2 (which, incidentally, is the B week for our classes).  For the classes that come once every 2 weeks (our half-day classes), we will be following the same plan as last week; for the every week classes, we'll be moving on to the next center: the iListen & iLearn Center.

Before I get into the center activity, though...I have to share my a-ha discovery!  I was thinking as I was preparing to introduce this next center that I really wished there was a way to control which apps the students were able to access on the iPads and iPods.  I have specific apps I want the students to work on at different times, depending on the theme we're in...but they are SO good (better than many of the teachers, it seems) at getting out of what I want them to do, and into something they want to do.  I pondered this for a moment...and thought to myself, "You know, Apple should really come up with something...especially as more of these iDevices are popping up in educational settings."  And while I considered whether or not I should write a suggestion to Apple about this, I remembered I wanted to look at trying to make the app icons a bit bigger.  I remembered attending a session at a Closing the Gap conference (an annual AT conference in Minneapolis, MN, for those who aren't familiar with it) awhile back that talked all about the accessibility features on the iDevices.  

And so it was, as it usually is with me, I found--listed under "Learning" in the accessibility section of the settings--"Guided Access".   'Hmm,' I thought to myself. "Wonder what that is?"  As I read the description (see the photo below), the heavens opened up and a choir of angels began to sing.  Okay...so maybe it was me singing...and the light was coming from my office ceiling...but you get the idea!  Hooray!  I don't have to send any suggestions to Apple...it's like they read my mind. :) To see how to do this...check out the other post.

Screenshot from my phone...but it looks the same
and works the same on the iPads/iPod touches

Okay...now back to business.  So, this week (for those who have already made their first trip to the MMC) we are introducing another center--the iListen & iLearn Center.  In this center, the students will have a chance to interact with either the iPads (using different apps, depending on the theme) or the iPod touches (listening to sounds, stories, and/or music).  

This month for the iLearn part (i.e. on the iPads), the students will be using one of two math apps: Counting Ants Lite (free app; counting, number recognition), 

Counting Ants
Lite (free)

Screenshot from Counting Ants Lite

Counting Ants Lite

and Pre-Number Category Sorting ($0.99; matching shapes, colors, sizes).  

Pre-Number Category
Sorting ($0.99)

Screenshot from Pre-Number Category Sorting

Since I now know how to lock the apps...that's what will happen--each iPad will be running one of the above apps, and it will be locked so the students cannot get to any other apps (or even exit this app).   To do a different activity, they will need to either move to another device, or choose a different center.  The adults will need to monitor this for awhile because although they cannot get out of the app by themselves, frustrated students could still throw the iPad/iPod...which, obviously, I would like to prevent. :) 

In the iListen (the iPod touches), we have the teacher read-aloud stories for both themes 1 & 2, and the sounds for themes 1 & 2.

Guided Access Settings

Here's how to set the guided access setting...

First, you will need to enable it in the "Settings". Go to "Settings"-->"General" 

You'll need to swipe up (on the right side) to get to the bottom of the list--which is where "Accessibility" is located.

Open 'settings'

Go to 'general'

Swipe up to get to the bottom of the general settings &  select 'accessibility'

 Once in the Accessibility menu, you should see 'guided access' listed under Learning.  It will be "off" by default (mine is "on" in the screenshot because I'd already set it up :) ).  Touch it to open the menu and turn the feature "on".  

It will also open the Guided Access options...

Guided access options

 If you really want to make sure the kids can't get out of the app, set the passcode...just make sure you remember the 4-digit code you enter, or you won't be able to get out of the app either!

Now that you've set up the feature, you can activate it from any app.  To activate it, open the app and triple-click (press 3 times, quickly) the "home" button.

Press the "Home" button (circled in red) 3 times in a row, quickly

 That will open some options...

Guided access options, once activated in an app

When you have selected all the options you want, touch "Start".  You will not be able to exit the app unless you de-activate it by triple-clicking the "home" button again and entering the passcode.

First week of classes!

Well, we are nearing the close of our first week of classes here in our new Multimedia Center.  Overall, I think it's gone pretty well.  

For those of you who were not able to make it (or if you're a B-week class), we did pretty much what I said we would do in the last post...we introduced ourselves using the SMART Board, 

Introductions & greetings with the SMART Board

we introduced the kids to the Read To Me Center, and demonstrated what to do if if that's the center you choose.  
  

Practicing with the AnyBook reader (aka "special pen")

 

We also shared our "kid report" page that we'll give to each student (or to the teachers...not sure just yet of those details) at the end of each visit...so they will have something to 1-take home to tell their family about coming to the multimedia center, and 2-they can share how they felt about it.  

**Note to teachers: If I forgot to give you these when you came with your class, I apologize...if you click on the link (above) you can print them.**

"I went to the Multimedia Center today!" - kid report

Overall, I would say that we had a pretty good first week!  We're looking forward to next week!
 
I did want to also share some info about our SMART Table.  For those who have not heard, it is dying.  Apparently, it was probably in the early stages of dying for awhile...but it was hanging on...until I tried to "orient" it, and then it became aware of its illness and stopped working.  I spent a good chunk of time yesterday afternoon on the phone with the Level II technician from SMART (that's who you talk to when your problem is too big for the Level I folks) trying to "revive" our board so we could at least use it while we wait for the replacement table top.  It was quite a process...as anyone who was in the library during this time can tell you.  I had my phone stretched across my office, the SMART table wedged in my doorway, keyboards and mice hanging all over the place, and at one point, all the lights in the library off.  The situation is this...it's "sorta" functional, but just barely.  So we're going to be without the SMART table until we get the new table top.  Unfortunately, there is a backlog of orders for these (we're not the only ones having this trouble)...so it may be a month or two before we are up and running with the SMART table center.

Grand Opening...Slowly...

We're getting all prepared for our Grand Opening on Monday!  For the first few weeks, it'll be a little different as we try to introduce the kids to everything...especially the *new* stuff (since that's new to the teachers and paraprofessionals, too!). We're going to start with an intro to each center...with an opportunity for the kids to practice.

So here's what to expect in the first week:

1. We will be introducing ourselves (me & Miss Helen) to the students.
2. We will introduce the students to our "center management" plan (i.e. how they will choose centers)
3. We will introduce students to the Read To Me Center.

So you know...or can go back and see if you forget,  here is a quick little video clip of how the Read To Me Center will work: 

You may recognize these pictures from an earlier post...but I wanted to include them again since they relate to the Read To Me Center.

First, for the green dotted books (which will use the iPod touches):

Screenshot of iPod touch (from Read To Me Center)
showing the "Music" icon to touch to open the books

Screenshot of what you *should* see once you
touch the "Music" icon.

 And for the red/blue dotted books, the students will use the Franklin AnyBook Readers...

Blue AnyBook reader (with corresponding blue-dotted book)

Also, here is a shot of the Launch Pad - this is the spot where the students will be able to see which centers are open and available, take their "check-in" stick (and where they will return their sticks when finished with a center) and...

Launch pad

 ..."check-in" at the center...

"Check-in" center sign

Okay...well, I'm going to get prepared to get out of here for the day (since Fridays are not one of my work days).  Have a great weekend and I'll see you all on Monday morning for our first day of classes!