SmartBrief Articles - Avery Hopkins

http://www.southwestiowanews.com/council_bluffs/first-graders-use-facebook-as-a-learning-tool/article_823b36eb-452f-5900-8dfb-6880e0ccc7a0.html
Facebook is a learning tool for parents and students. Most parents are already on FB, so it is a great way to update what is going on in the classroom. Students can post what they learned that day after lessons on FB. Students feel like it is a cool way to share with their parents what is going on and it encourages a partnership with parents who are not physically in the classroom.

http://www.smartbrief.com/02/18/13/workshops-introduce-first-graders-writing-process#.UWHpAJOG2So
A first grade teacher has created a writing process for first grade students that takes the focus off of grammar and spelling. Students are encouraged to just write; they can write about anything they want. When they are done, the teacher sits with them and corrects spelling/punctuation. Students are usually bombarded with the pressures of making mistakes but this takes the pressure off for them to be perfect.

http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20110403-NEWS-104030335
Bringing technology in to the classroom gets students engaged with what they are learning and this is because they can relate; they understand the language of technology better than most adults. They get excited to show what they are learning through Jeopardy games on a touch screen or a Podcast about penguins.I would like to give more opportunities for my students to use hands-on technology in the classroom.

http://thejournal.com/articles/2011/07/11/putting-the-ipad-to-work-in-elementary-classrooms.aspx
One teacher began to implement more technology in to her classroom. She started using an Ipad to extend student learning and support some of their academic needs. Students are responding well to the Ipad and are seeing the benefits of it's helpful apps. They have also been encouraged to publish some of their work on to blogs for parents to read and comment on. I love this idea of parent involvement and using apps for students to see information in a new way.