Spotlight On: 2nd Grade English Math Number Stories using the My Story App

Spotlight On: 2nd Grade English Math Number Stories using the My Story App

This year I worked with all of the second grade English students and teachers to create addition math number stories using the app My Story.  My Story allows students to create projects and explain their thinking while integrating iPads and technology into the classroom.   

Twitter @MyStoryApp

Twitter @Seesaw

In the fall, second grade students practice solving one step word problems, as well as fluently adding within the number 20.  The Common Core Standards are here Grade 2 Operations and Algebraic Thinking

This is a fun and exciting project that allows students to create and explain their thinking while 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, second graders can practice creating subtraction stories and two step number stories with addition or subtraction.

Here are the steps to the My Story project: 


1) First, I shared a sample My Story App math project on the SMARTBoard.  

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

 3) The math unit options were then shared with students, based on the available stickers in the My Story App.

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.

Here is a link to the 2nd Grade English 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 as they worked.

7) When each group finished their story, they were then ready to record their voices reading the text.  The classroom teachers and I helped the students to record their math number stories.

8) When the projects were finished, I created free Seesaw accounts for each of the 2nd 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  2nd Grade English 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.)

Spotlight On: ChatterPix Kids & Seesaw in 4th Grade Social Studies

Spotlight On: ChatterPix Kids & Seesaw in 4th Grade Social Studies

Susan Howard and Laura Corbett, 4th Grade teachers at the Glover School, have started to integrate iPads into their classroom curriculum with exciting results!

Their lucky 4th graders incorporated reading, Social Studies, art, and technology into one project using the following apps:

Twitter @Seesaw 

Twitter @ChatterPixIt

Here is a description of the project, posted outside of the classroom after projects were completed:

"After reading a self-selected biography and recording notes and thoughts as to why the person is worthy of having a biography, students shared their thoughts and findings.  Not only did they write who was important in the person's life, but also noted struggles the person might have encountered.

Students then utilized Chatterpix to record their voices, and uploaded to Seesaw, an online portfolio for sharing with parents."

Here is an example of a finished student project.

Once the projects were finished Mrs. Howard and Mrs. Corbett shared the student work by posting it outside their classroom. Below is a picture of the bulletin board with project directions, the state standards, the QR Code handout, as well as the student posters.

In order to share the ChatterPix Kids videos, students uploaded their work to the class Seesaw account.  When using Seesaw, students upload projects into their own personal folder.  The projects can then be accessed by the iPad app or from the Seesaw website.  This allows teachers to display student projects on the SMARTBoard.  

Digital projects can then be shared with parents too.  Parents can access their child's account by receiving a QR Code handout.  Once the Seesaw app is added to a Smart Phone or Tablet, the QR Code can be scanned and then parents have access to their child's folder.

Mrs. Howard and Mrs. Corbett came up with a creative way to share the projects with students and teachers at the Glover School.  All of the projects were placed in one folder in the class Seesaw account.  A QR Code handout was then posted outside the classroom for students and teachers to scan and view the projects!  These 4th grade students were able to share what they learned and teach others about a historical figure!

Seesaw: The Learning Journal

Seesaw: The Learning Journal is my new favorite app and website. 

Twitter: @Seesaw

What is Seesaw?

• Digital Portfolio
• Add photos, videos, drawings, notes from text, & PDFs
• Student Driven 
• Teachers with younger students can add content & projects for their students
• Encourages student reflection 
• Provides an authentic audience
• School to Home Connection
• Introduction to Social Media & Blogging for students
• There is a separate parent app called "Seesaw Parent"

Seesaw website: http://web.seesaw.me/
Seesaw on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/seesaw-the-learning-journal/id930565184?mt=8
Seesaw Parent on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/seesaw-parent-access/id930565469?mt=8

You Tube Videos: A series of "How to" videos created by Seesaw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8fjqX49apo&list=PLb__lPS6CQsBXEFRgRoTv4_a26C4fYhvN