Students as Creators

From kindergarten to fifth grade, students have been using iPads to create and share their learning.

Tying Facts into Fiction

After learning about the layers of the Earth, fifth grade students created a machine that would allow them to travel to the center of the Earth. Using the app Seesaw, students drew their device and audio recorded the special features that allow their machine to get past obstacles like rock, melted metals, and intense pressure. Here is an example of a student's work! This was a great way for students to develop their creativity skills while tying in their understanding of the Earth's layers. 

A student draws his machine

Social Studies & Science
First grade students combined what they've learned about timelines in Social Studies with what they've learned about the life of a penguin in Science by creating a timeline of a penguin's life. Students used the app Timeline to include photos illustrating the various stages of a penguin's life and include information. For example, at the beginning of the timeline students had a picture of a penguin egg and a label for the photo. As they continue to work on the project, students will import their timelines into Seesaw where they will include voice recording that gives information they've learned about the stages of a penguin's life.

A student writes a label for his timeline

Skip Counting
Using the app Seesaw, first grade students practiced skip counting by 2, 5, and 10 on a hundreds chart. Students were able to mark on the chart while counting and they audio recorded their counting as an informal assessment. Afterwards, students incorporated their knowledge of patterns by explaining any patterns they observed in their counting. This was a great way for teachers to hear all of their students skip count which can be difficult during a school day with a full classroom.

A student skip counts in a quite spot

Five Senses

This week another class of kindergartners created illustrations that went along with one of the five senses. After illustrating, students audio recorded an explanation of their drawing as well as what they knew about the sense they associated with it. While I've blogged about this activity before, I was so impressed with this class's verbal skills in their explanation and their excitement for sharing what they've learned - I had to share a photo! 

Animal Inventors
Fourth grade students used their knowledge of adaptations and habitats to create a fictional animal. Using the app Seesaw, students illustrated their animal and then recording information, including physical and behavioral adaptations, habitat, predators, and prey.

A student draws his marine animal