Spotlight On: 1st Grade French Math Number Stories using the My Story App

Spotlight On: 1st Grade French Math Number Stories using the My Story App

This year I worked with all of the first grade French students and teachers to create math number stories using the app My Story.  The My Story App allows students to write and record their voice in French!  French Immersion classrooms can use My Story to create fun and exciting projects while integrating iPads and technology into the French curriculum.

Twitter @MyStoryApp

Twitter @Seesaw

In the fall, first grade students learn how to solve math number story problems using addition and subtraction.  The Common Core Standards are here Grade 1 Operations and Algebraic Thinking

This is an exciting project that allows students to create and explain their thinking using the iPads.  By learning how to use the My Story App for addition math number stories, students will become more independent while using the iPads in Math centers.  As the year continues, they could practice creating their own stories by adding three whole numbers or creating subtraction number stories.

Here are the steps to the My Story project: 

1) First, I shared a sample My Story App math project on the SMARTBoard.  This is my second year working with the first grade French teachers on this project, therefore we had a student sample from the previous year.

2) Next, using the SMARTBoard, the classroom teacher and I modeled how the students would fill out their own "project prep sheet". 

The classroom teacher and I modeled for students how to fill out the project prep sheet.

 3) The classroom teacher shared the math unit options on the class white board, based on the available stickers in the My Story App and the French vocabulary already known to the first grade students.

Math unit choices for students.

4) Students then worked with their partner to fill out their own project prep sheet. 

Here is an example of a completed project prep sheet in French.

 Here is a link to the 1st Grade French Prep Sheet

 5) Once students were finished with their project prep sheet, I then mirrored the iPad onto the SMARTBoard. While working in the My Story app, I modeled how to create each page by adding text, stickers, drawings, and adding background colors.

One way to mirror an iPad onto a SMARTBoard is by connecting it via VGA adapter. Here is a link to Apple VGA Adapters

6) Students were then ready to begin creating their project with their partner! Using one iPad students took turns creating each page.

Students created their My Story project and referred to their project prep sheet.

7) When each group finished their story, they were then ready to record their voices reading the text.  The French classroom teachers helped the students to record their math number stories!  These teachers were quick studies in learning how to record because I do not speak French! Thanks for all of your hard work!

Mme. Bourass recorded with her students in French.

8) When the projects were finished, I created free Seesaw accounts for each of the 1st grade teachers, where I added the student projects.  This allowed the teachers to share the student projects on the classroom SMARTBoard, as well as share the projects with parents at home. Here is the Seesaw website http://web.seesaw.me/

Below are two examples of  1st Grade French projects.
(One thing that is omitted from these videos... the actual cover page is a picture of the student partners who created the project.  The students were all very proud of their hard work and the cover picture was a fun add-on to share who created the project.)

Google How To: How to add a Language Accent to a Google Doc

How to add a Language Accent to a Google Doc

I created the following video to show teachers and students how to add language accents to a Google Doc.  When using a Chromebook, Alt codes do not work to create accents.  Follow the steps in the video to add accents in a Google Doc when using a Chromebook, as well as on a desktop or laptop.

2016-2017 School Year

Happy New Year! In the Milton elementary schools, we have had a busy 2016-2017 school year integrating technology in the classroom! I am excited to share lessons and activities where technology integration and the classroom curriculum are intertwined everyday.

Here are a few topics coming soon...

• Kindergarten STEM time with Dash and Dot robots

• Grade 1 & 2 Math Number Stories, in English and French, using the app My Story and sharing it on Seesaw

• Grade 3 Math projects where students create and describe polygons using the Chatterpix Kids app and sharing it on Seesaw

• Grade 3 non-fiction research projects and Google Slide project examples

• Grade 4 & 5 non-fiction research projects, how to take digital notes and online research skills

• Digital Citizenship lessons teaching students about their Digital Footprint and Internet Safety using the Common Sense Media resources

• How to add French and Spanish accents using Google Docs and Chromebooks