We spent Technology Tip Tuesday buried in our completely cluttered classroom. But, we’re making progress AND they finally turned on the air conditioning! Ahhhh….We can do this! Sorry for the Tardy Technology Tuesday link up ~

We love technology like the next teacher, and were so excited to share a few gems we enjoy using with our  friends. We use each of these free online programs in our classroom and in the computer lab when we have a chance to teach whole class on the smart board. We are not as fortunate as some of you blinged out teacher techies who have a board in your own class yet, but we make do with walking to our smart board. Our pedometer likes it. 🙂 

 

1st Tip: Tux Paint

 

Tux Paint is a free online drawing program for kids. Last year, we attempted this whole class in the computer lab in November. We drank a lot of coffee that day, and walked our kiddos through drawing Pilgrim boys and girls. They came out great! The ease of navigating makes teaching easy ~ Find the paint brush, click it. Find the color brown, click it. We did it in November…easy.

There are lots of options for creating free online drawings and they’re easy to navigate for kids. 

Love Tux Paint!

 

2nd Tip: Starfall.com

 

We cannot say enough great things about Starfall.com. It is delightful, differentiated online reading help for kids. It is engaging and easy to navigate. We’ve used it both at home and in the classroom for years. It is also the first site we recommend to parents come conference time if they are looking for some ways to provide home practice.

They’ve just recently added Starfall Math too. Can’t wait to check that one out!

Total apologies for the tardy technology tips, but hopefully you can use one of them in your classroom when the dust settles. 

We’re off to keep plugging away on the class and then a quick training on the new Language Arts Program we’re piloting this year. Then, back to class to make room for the 20 boxes that the program comes in. T-W-E-N-T-Y…It might be a long day.

 

We can’t wait to share it with you!! 

The class, not the 20 boxes…