Using the Educreations app for Reading

Yesterday, I implemented the Educreations app during our reading time. We used the app to help us identify the Main Idea and Details of a story. To start, we began using categories. I posted several "main idea" cards in the hallway labeled with things like, "Things with Circles" or "Stories with Characters." The students first took a picture of one of the Main Ideas with the app, and then had to find three details in the room that would fit with the main idea. They took pictures of the details and created a web with the drawing tools in the app. We then read the story Short Shadows, Long Shadows that went with our reading curriculum. The students had a great time, and it was easy for me to do a quick formative assessment on the their understanding.

QR Codes and Google Forms

Over the last few weeks, I've experimented with QR Codes and Google forms. The codes were coupled with a math a few of my money math lessons. I used 15 different bags, with various. Ones amounts in them. Each bag had a code on it. After the students had counted the money, they used the QR Reader app to check their answers. The codes were easy to make using an online creator, and the app was free for scanning. The students enjoyed it the activity.

I've used google forms to start tracking my phone conversations with parents. After completing a phone call home, I record the name of the students, date, time, reason and a few notes, and submit this information. All of the info gets sent to a google spreadsheet were it can be viewed and interpreted. It's easy to see patterns and to fall back on to review if needed.