Tech Your Little Ones Can Do

Sometimes, the littlest learners don't reap the rewards of devices in the classroom. And to be honest, creating realistic activities for the littlest ones to really be able to do ... just sounds exhausting! 

Be rejuvenated! There are plenty of things out there for them (& you!). Don't be afraid to incorporate bite-sized tech into the class for them.  Several educators already have tackled this and are sharing their ideas, tips, and tricks. Here are a few of the ones I regularly see sharing ... add them to your PLN. 

 
Eric Curts is one of my absolute FAVORITE techies.  He's a fellow Ohioan who I've had the privilege of sitting in several of his OETC sessions as well as watching numerous of his FREE on-line webinars. He is a former classroom teacher who regularly shares ideas, tips, and templates. His blog - ControlAltAchieve - is an amazing website FULL of useful activities.  Follow Eric on Twitter @ericcurts.  Some of my favorites from Eric's vault:

• 💖 6 Googley Wintertime Activities 💖 [LINK] - Six Seriously Stupendous activities for students of all ages ... it'd be tough to pick a fav, but for the littlest ones I'd recommend #1 Build a Snowman (Google Slides) OR #4 Pixel Art Ornaments (Google Sheets).

• Pattern Block Templates and Activities with Google Drawings [LINK] - no need to purchase sets of pattern blocks or worry about losing them when clean up time is cut short.  This template supports learning about symmetry, fractions, tessellations, angles, and more ... all while also reinforcing tech skills of dragging and manipulating objects - can we say fine-motor?

• The Future of the Google Drive Template Gallery [LINK] - the Template Gallery may not be the first thing to come to mind when thinking about how to better use Google in the classroom, but Eric does a great job in sharing how this gallery can really support the younger students (& yourself!) by providing a basic template. Students can focus on the information rather than the basic format of the document.

• 30 Free Google Drawings Graphic Organizers [LINK] - when I introduce teachers to Google Drawings, I ALWAYS share this link.  Eric has created, and shared, 30 graphic organizers.  From a word study to water cycle to venn diagrams to the 5 senses and so much more.  And all YOU have to do is click on the link and add it to your Google Drive.  As awesome as it is for teachers to then share digitally with their students, they also print out beautifully for the lessons that need to be on paper.

Christine Pinto, aka "Pinto Beans", is a fantastic educator to follow! Her blog - EdTech - Christine Pinto - regularly shares activities, including the ready to go templates, YOU can grab and use with your little one. She is also the founder of #GAFE4Littles is all for the littlest learners.  You can follow her on Twitter @PintoBeanz11.  Here's a sample of her templates you can do:

• Identifying Color Words [LINK] - she uses with her transitional KDG kiddos
• Colored Tape Rows on the Keyboard [LINK] - assists students with logging in
• Create and Graph in Google Sheets [LINK] - a simple into to Sheets that also teaches graphing skills
• Our Many Colored Feelings [LINK] - use Google Slides to teach about feelings

My third resource is Donna Boucher, aka, "Math Coach's Corner". Donna does a fantastic job of sharing ready to go, and easy to use math activities. I love Donna because teaching math is definitely not MY strength, so I 💖  having her resources at my fingertips. Follow her on Twitter @MathCoachCorner.

• Math Games with a Deck of Cards [LINK] - everything doesn't have to be done on a device, right?  A simple deck of cards ... and who wouldn't want 69 pages of games that can be played with these cards?
• A Plethora of FREE iPad Math Apps [LINK] - if you have iPads in your class, this is a great place to investigate and learn about some iPad apps.  It's always helpful if someone has also reviewed it.
• Ratchet Up the Rigor [LINK] - I love this one! The puzzlers have students applying their knowledge rather than simply solving problems. Definitely for students who are a little older, but if you are looking for math resources ... Donna is a GREAT resource!

Don't give up ... if you are looking for a digital component to your next lesson ... look around! There's always more you can do ... 

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