ABCya!

It's so easy a 5 year old can use it!

What is it? This a primary grade level resource it has alphabet games, addition, subtraction, geography as well as a really cool digital magnetic letters board. The content is divided by grade level k-5th. There is a feature called Animation for Kids, which teaches students how to create simple animations. This could be used as a response to literature project, where students create a summary of a familiar text.


How its used at Lexington?
At Lexington I have seen magnetic board used on Smart boards. I have seen teachers use this to model how to manipulate letters to make and build words. It can be used to review and build sight words and spelling words. The games have been used at independent centers as well to review and reinforce core concepts


What do I need ?
To use ABCya! all you need is an internet connection and a computer. This is a free resource. To use ABCya!, all you may want a projector, lap top and interactive white board for whole group activities and classroom computers or computer lab for students to use independently. I recommend bookmarking ABCya! and putting it on your computers toolbar. The bookmark has the words ABCya! and a image of a star making it super easy to teach students what bookmark to click on to access ABCya!.

What else can I do ?
There is the ability to download some elements, games so that you do not need to log in each time you want to use it in the classroom. There are also some apps available of the games on itunes that can be used on portable devices such as ipods or ipads in the classroom but that is for the lucky teachers who have those in the classroom.

Starfall.com

It's so easy a 5 year old can use it!
Click here to See !

What is it?
This is a web based resource that can easily be integrated into most k-2 classrooms to enhance students language and literacy skills. Starfall includes; alphabet knowledge, cvc readers, emergent readers and seasonal interactive activities. The format is engaging and student-user friendly.

How its used at Lexington?
I found the best way to integrate Starfall in the k-2 classroom is in two modes; 1. projected on my Interactive white board as a whole group concept introduction/review and 2. at student computer centers to review literacy skills.

What do I need ?
To use Starfall all you need is an internet connection and a computer. This is a free resource. To use Starfall, all you may want a projector, lap top and interactive white board for whole group activities and classroom computers or computer lab for students to use independently. I recommend bookmarking Starfall and putting it on your computers toolbar. The bookmark has the words Starfall and a image of a star making it super easy to teach students what bookmark to click on to access Starfall.

What else can I do ?
Okay, for those of you who are already integrated and using Starfall you want to know how to further use this tool. There are a couple of paid options 1. more.starfall.com, this is a yearly subscription that will give you access to more starfall resource including math,folk songs and colors etc. 2. a CD version of Starfall activities to use on computers without internet access or students with homes without internet access is also available for purchase. Some teachers use Starfall as an emergent reader program here's an example; Shared/Guided Reading-The "Learn To Read Books" on starfall are projected on interactive whiteboard, the class can collaboratively read and identify cvc words. Independent Reading-Students read the"Learn To Read Books" by themselves in the computer lab or classroom computers to reinforce skills taught in shared reading and increase fluency. Home Connections- Students can read the"Learn To Read Books" online at home for free as well or they can be printed for students to take home and read. * If you have any other great ideas please post them in the comments.