1st and 2nd Grade iPad Projects
Throughout the school year, students create approximately 15 iPad projects with a partner during their weekly specials time.Our media center has 11 iPads. For all projects, K-5 students work in groups of 2-3 to create an iPad project that supports the Common Core and incorporates the 4Cs (collaboration, creativity, communication, and critical thinking). Through project-based learning, students increase their reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills.
All About Me PicKids/Shadow Puppet:
Students interviewed their partner. On a graphic organizer, they recorded their partner's favorite color, food, animal, etc. Then, they used the PicKids app on the iPad to create a digital poster that included a background, a selfie, their birthday, and pictures of three of their favorite things. Then, students imported their poster into the Shadow Puppet app. They added background music, special effects, and a sound recording about their partner's favorite things. Students shared their videos with the class. (4 class periods)
Good Citizen Chatterpix:
As a class, we read the e-book Being a Good Citizen on Big Universe. We discussed how we can be good citizens at home, at school, and in our community. We discussed how we can be good citizens in the media center. Then, students used the Chatterpix app on the iPad to create a 30-second video with a partner that showed how they can be good citizens in the media center. For their video, students took a picture of their partner being a good citizen in the media center by pushing in their chair, picking up trash, using a shelf marker, etc. Students created a text box that said “Be a Good Citizen.” Students shared their videos with the class. (3-4 class periods)
Be a Bucket Filler PicKids Poster/Puppet Pals Video:
As a class, we discussed the definition of a bucket filler, as well as brainstormed ways that we can be bucket fillers by being kind, caring, and helpful. Then, students used the PicKids app on their iPad to create a digital poster with their partner. They selected a background and added a bucket to their poster. Next, student added four text boxes to their poster (the title "Be a Bucket Filler" and three ways to be a bucket filler--smile, share, say hello, etc.). Then, students saved their PicKids Poster and imported it as the background for their Puppet Pals video. Students used their selfies as the puppets in their video and recorded themselves talking about three ways they can fill someone's bucket. Students shared their Puppet Pals videos with the class. (3-4 class periods)
Needs and Wants StoryCreator Book:
As a class, we watched a video about needs and wants. With a partner, students used the Story Creator app on their iPad to create an 8-page digital book about needs and wants. Their book included a title page, three things they need, three things they want, and a closing page. For example, students typed "I need shelter," used the doodle button to draw a picture of a house, and then added a sound recording of themselves reading "I need shelter." Students shared their needs and wants books with the class. (3-4 class periods)
Healthy Eating PicKids/Shadow Puppet:
As a class, we watched a video about the five food groups. As a class, we read aloud the book The Edible Pyramid, and students wrote down examples of fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy, and proteins on a graphic organizer. Then, students used the PicKids app on their iPad to create a digital poster that included a background, photos of the members of their groups, a text box, and images of 5-7 healthy foods. Students used the Shadow Puppet app on their iPad to create a 30-second video about healthy foods. They used their digital poster as the background for their video. Students shared their videos with the class.(3-4 class periods)
Falling Leaves StopMotion Video:
As a class, we read an informational e-book about fall on Big Universe. We discussed how weather, clothes, and leaves change during fall. Then, students used the StopMotion app on the iPad to create an animated and narrated video that showed how leaves fall from some trees during fall. To create their video, they colored and cut out a tree and red, yellow, orange, and brown leaves. Then, they used StopMotion to take a series of 50 pictures that showed leaves falling from their tree. Students used StopMotion's microphone to record themselves saying the title, their names, and one fact about fall leaves. They shared their StopMotion videos with the class. (3-4 class periods)
Pirate Puppet Pals Video:
To promote our Pirate Book Fair, we researched and read aloud stories about pirates. Then, students used the Puppet Pals app on the iPad to create a video in which they talked like a pirate about books at the Book Fair. For their video, students chose pirate puppets and a background. Students shared their videos with the class. (3-4 class periods)
Butterfly Life Cycle Sock Puppets Video:
In second grade, as a class, we read a book and watched a video about the life cycle of a butterfly. Then, students used the Sock Puppets app on the iPad to create a video about a butterfly's life cycle. For their video, students wrote a script, chose sock puppets, and selected 4 background images (butterfly eggs, caterpillar, chrysalis, and butterfly) from Photos for Class. Students shared their videos with the class. (2-3 class periods)
Sea Turtles Informational E-Book:
As a class, we used a KWL chart to find out what students knew about sea turtles and what they wanted to learn. On Big Universe, we read aloud an informational e-book about sea turtles. On a graphic organizer, as a class, we wrote down facts about what sea turtles are, can do, have, and eat. Students used their notes and the Story Creator app on the iPad to create a 7-page informational e-book about what sea turtles are, can do, have, and eat. On each page, students typed the text, inserted a sea turtle picture from Pics4Learning or Photos for Class, and added a sound recording. Students shared their informational e-books with the class. (5-6 class periods)
Earth Day Chatterpix
We discussed how every day is Earth Day and why it is important to take care of the Earth. As a class, we watched the 3R’s video on Brain Pop Jr. On a graphic organizer, as a class, we took notes on how we can reduce, reuse, and recycle. Students used their notes and the Chatterpix app on the iPad to create a 30-second video about how they can take care of the Earth by reducing, reusing, and recycling. For their video, students took a picture of a recycling bin or saved a picture of Earth from Pics4Learning or Photos for Class. Students added 2-3 stickers to their video, as well as a text box with a slogan such as “Save our Planet” or “Take Care of the Earth.” Students shared their videos with the class. (3-4 class periods)
Digital Fairy Tales:
We discussed the characteristics of fairy tales. We read aloud several original and fractured fairy tales. Students used a graphic organizer to write an original fairy tale with a partner. They drew a colorful picture for each page of their fairy tale. Then, students used the Story Creator app on the iPad to create an 8-page fairy tale. On each page, students typed the text, inserted a picture of their drawing, and added a sound recording. Students shared their digital fairy tales with the class. (5-6 class periods)
Puppet Pals Weather Report:
In first grade, we discussed some examples of weather, how the weather impacts our clothing and activities, and how a meteorologist studies the weather. We watched a YouTube video about how a meteorologist uses maps and models to predict the weather. Students used the Weather Channel app on the iPad to record Raleigh’s current temperature, as well as today’s forecast (sunny, cloudy, etc.), low temperature, and high temperature. Then, students used the Puppet Pals app on the iPad to create a weather report video. Students shared their weather report videos with the class. (2-3 class periods)
Severe Weather Green Screen:
As a class, we researched and took notes on five types of severe weather: tornadoes, hurricanes, blizzards, droughts, and floods. Then, students used the DoInk green screen app on the iPad to create a severe weather forecast. For the background of their video, students selected a weather picture from Pics4Learning or Photos for Class. Students shared their severe weather videos with the class. (4-5 class periods)
Community Helpers Puppet Pals Video:
As a class, we brainstormed examples of community helpers and discussed how they help our community. With a partner, students used QR codes to find information about firefighters, police officers, doctors, dentists, veterinarians, chefs, and bakers. Then, students used the Puppet Pals app on their app to create a video about two community helpers. In their video, students talked about how these people help our community, what tools they use, and where they work. Students shared their videos with the class. (3-4 class periods)
All About Me PicKids/Shadow Puppet:
Students interviewed their partner. On a graphic organizer, they recorded their partner's favorite color, food, animal, etc. Then, they used the PicKids app on the iPad to create a digital poster that included a background, a selfie, their birthday, and pictures of three of their favorite things. Then, students imported their poster into the Shadow Puppet app. They added background music, special effects, and a sound recording about their partner's favorite things. Students shared their videos with the class. (4 class periods)
Good Citizen Chatterpix:
As a class, we read the e-book Being a Good Citizen on Big Universe. We discussed how we can be good citizens at home, at school, and in our community. We discussed how we can be good citizens in the media center. Then, students used the Chatterpix app on the iPad to create a 30-second video with a partner that showed how they can be good citizens in the media center. For their video, students took a picture of their partner being a good citizen in the media center by pushing in their chair, picking up trash, using a shelf marker, etc. Students created a text box that said “Be a Good Citizen.” Students shared their videos with the class. (3-4 class periods)
Be a Bucket Filler PicKids Poster/Puppet Pals Video:
As a class, we discussed the definition of a bucket filler, as well as brainstormed ways that we can be bucket fillers by being kind, caring, and helpful. Then, students used the PicKids app on their iPad to create a digital poster with their partner. They selected a background and added a bucket to their poster. Next, student added four text boxes to their poster (the title "Be a Bucket Filler" and three ways to be a bucket filler--smile, share, say hello, etc.). Then, students saved their PicKids Poster and imported it as the background for their Puppet Pals video. Students used their selfies as the puppets in their video and recorded themselves talking about three ways they can fill someone's bucket. Students shared their Puppet Pals videos with the class. (3-4 class periods)
Needs and Wants StoryCreator Book:
As a class, we watched a video about needs and wants. With a partner, students used the Story Creator app on their iPad to create an 8-page digital book about needs and wants. Their book included a title page, three things they need, three things they want, and a closing page. For example, students typed "I need shelter," used the doodle button to draw a picture of a house, and then added a sound recording of themselves reading "I need shelter." Students shared their needs and wants books with the class. (3-4 class periods)
Healthy Eating PicKids/Shadow Puppet:
As a class, we watched a video about the five food groups. As a class, we read aloud the book The Edible Pyramid, and students wrote down examples of fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy, and proteins on a graphic organizer. Then, students used the PicKids app on their iPad to create a digital poster that included a background, photos of the members of their groups, a text box, and images of 5-7 healthy foods. Students used the Shadow Puppet app on their iPad to create a 30-second video about healthy foods. They used their digital poster as the background for their video. Students shared their videos with the class.(3-4 class periods)
Falling Leaves StopMotion Video:
As a class, we read an informational e-book about fall on Big Universe. We discussed how weather, clothes, and leaves change during fall. Then, students used the StopMotion app on the iPad to create an animated and narrated video that showed how leaves fall from some trees during fall. To create their video, they colored and cut out a tree and red, yellow, orange, and brown leaves. Then, they used StopMotion to take a series of 50 pictures that showed leaves falling from their tree. Students used StopMotion's microphone to record themselves saying the title, their names, and one fact about fall leaves. They shared their StopMotion videos with the class. (3-4 class periods)
Pirate Puppet Pals Video:
To promote our Pirate Book Fair, we researched and read aloud stories about pirates. Then, students used the Puppet Pals app on the iPad to create a video in which they talked like a pirate about books at the Book Fair. For their video, students chose pirate puppets and a background. Students shared their videos with the class. (3-4 class periods)
Butterfly Life Cycle Sock Puppets Video:
In second grade, as a class, we read a book and watched a video about the life cycle of a butterfly. Then, students used the Sock Puppets app on the iPad to create a video about a butterfly's life cycle. For their video, students wrote a script, chose sock puppets, and selected 4 background images (butterfly eggs, caterpillar, chrysalis, and butterfly) from Photos for Class. Students shared their videos with the class. (2-3 class periods)
Sea Turtles Informational E-Book:
As a class, we used a KWL chart to find out what students knew about sea turtles and what they wanted to learn. On Big Universe, we read aloud an informational e-book about sea turtles. On a graphic organizer, as a class, we wrote down facts about what sea turtles are, can do, have, and eat. Students used their notes and the Story Creator app on the iPad to create a 7-page informational e-book about what sea turtles are, can do, have, and eat. On each page, students typed the text, inserted a sea turtle picture from Pics4Learning or Photos for Class, and added a sound recording. Students shared their informational e-books with the class. (5-6 class periods)
Earth Day Chatterpix
We discussed how every day is Earth Day and why it is important to take care of the Earth. As a class, we watched the 3R’s video on Brain Pop Jr. On a graphic organizer, as a class, we took notes on how we can reduce, reuse, and recycle. Students used their notes and the Chatterpix app on the iPad to create a 30-second video about how they can take care of the Earth by reducing, reusing, and recycling. For their video, students took a picture of a recycling bin or saved a picture of Earth from Pics4Learning or Photos for Class. Students added 2-3 stickers to their video, as well as a text box with a slogan such as “Save our Planet” or “Take Care of the Earth.” Students shared their videos with the class. (3-4 class periods)
Digital Fairy Tales:
We discussed the characteristics of fairy tales. We read aloud several original and fractured fairy tales. Students used a graphic organizer to write an original fairy tale with a partner. They drew a colorful picture for each page of their fairy tale. Then, students used the Story Creator app on the iPad to create an 8-page fairy tale. On each page, students typed the text, inserted a picture of their drawing, and added a sound recording. Students shared their digital fairy tales with the class. (5-6 class periods)
Puppet Pals Weather Report:
In first grade, we discussed some examples of weather, how the weather impacts our clothing and activities, and how a meteorologist studies the weather. We watched a YouTube video about how a meteorologist uses maps and models to predict the weather. Students used the Weather Channel app on the iPad to record Raleigh’s current temperature, as well as today’s forecast (sunny, cloudy, etc.), low temperature, and high temperature. Then, students used the Puppet Pals app on the iPad to create a weather report video. Students shared their weather report videos with the class. (2-3 class periods)
Severe Weather Green Screen:
As a class, we researched and took notes on five types of severe weather: tornadoes, hurricanes, blizzards, droughts, and floods. Then, students used the DoInk green screen app on the iPad to create a severe weather forecast. For the background of their video, students selected a weather picture from Pics4Learning or Photos for Class. Students shared their severe weather videos with the class. (4-5 class periods)
Community Helpers Puppet Pals Video:
As a class, we brainstormed examples of community helpers and discussed how they help our community. With a partner, students used QR codes to find information about firefighters, police officers, doctors, dentists, veterinarians, chefs, and bakers. Then, students used the Puppet Pals app on their app to create a video about two community helpers. In their video, students talked about how these people help our community, what tools they use, and where they work. Students shared their videos with the class. (3-4 class periods)