Monday, September 21, 2015

Xtra Math

If you are looking for a way to have your students practice their math fact skills and an easy way to track their progress, I would recommend Xtra Math. We are unable to get Fast Math on mobile devices at this time, so Xtra Math is a good way to have something available in classrooms so you don't always have to schedule time in the lab.  Here are a few pros and cons I have found so far...

Pros:
-web-based (works on any device)
-reports for teachers/parents
-students can use at home

Cons:
-only has single digit facts (9x9 is the highest in the multiplication program)
-students have to type teacher's email address to log in


You will need to set up an account by selecting Sign Up and entering your information.  It will then prompt you to create a class.  

It will prompt you with this handy checklist of things to do:

If students are using their mobile devices (chromebook or iPad) then you will not need to "Prepare classroom computers".  If you have desktops in the classroom for student use, then you may want to explore this option. 

After you enter all your students you will see a class list and the operation they are currently working on.  The program default is that everyone starts on addition, and works their way through subtraction, then multiplication, then division.  In the example below student 1 has been changed to multiplication but everyone else is working on addition. 

To change the operation that a student is working on, you will need to go into each students' account.  To do this click on their name and you will see their whole profile.

On the left hand menu click change program, and select the program that you want this particular student to work through.  

After you get each student account set up, you will need to print their pin numbers.  When students log in they will need to type the teacher's email, their name, and pin number.

 If you have other programs that you use with students for math fact practice please feel free to share!

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Seesaw Refresher/Training

 
Seesaw is a portfolio that students as young as kindergarten can easily use to share their learning with their teachers and families.  Teachers can quickly see student work in one place and across multiple platforms.

The app has already been pushed out to all Schumann iPads, but you will need to go to the app store to install it on your device.  The setup process is pretty self explanatory, but seesaw has lots of great tutorials in their Help Center.

The Help Center also has activity ideas organized by grade level, tips, and a FAQ section.

Here is a beginning of the year Student Challenge for K-2 students.  You could use the whole thing, or just pick pieces of it to use with your class.