Exploring nonfiction book apps at Emerson School (ages 5 - 10)
My students have loved using iPads at Emerson School. Our library is open every morning recess and we have two iPads for small groups to use. Students read picture book apps, explore nonfiction book apps, and play math games to practice basic math facts. Today I shared some of our experiences with colleagues at our quarterly Bay Area Independent School Librarians meeting.
I've been particularly fascinated by non-fiction book apps. The best of these integrate well written nonfiction text, vibrant full-color photographs and videos, interactive features that help students experiment and engage with the topics, and narration that makes the content accessible for a wide range of children. Here are some of my favorites that I shared today:
Bats: Furry Fliers in the Night
by Mary Kay Carson
developed by Bookerella and StoryWorldwide, 2012
note: price drop right now to $0.99!!
This is an original book app written by Mary Kay Carson, a prolific nonfiction author who also wrote The Bat Scientists as part of the Scientists in the Field series. She layers clear text with interesting diagrams, photographs, and interactive features. The design elements are top-notch, providing just the right amount of zing to keep kids engaged without distracting them at all from the essence of the material. Listen to my podcast review from Katie Davis's Brain Burps About Books:
Hi Mary Ann, I really should be exploring all these apps on my iPad. I keep meaning to but lethargy and lack of imagination when it comes to techie stuff have been my excuse thus far. I am excited though by everything you have shared with us this week, that I am truly tempted to snap out of it and just search for these apps. Will do that now. :)
Mary Ann, Thanks for the great info. I was wondering how you structure students' time with the iPads and what guidelines do you give them. Only two kids per iPad? Specific guidelines on what apps to play? Do you use them for structured lessons or just free play before school?
Thanks, Myra. I hope you have fun exploring this apps! Leslie, thanks for your great questions. I do need to write that up more. But for now:
We primarily have the iPads available for free use during recess in the library. Kids are excited to use them, so typically 2 or 3 kids pass an iPad between them, taking turns flipping pages and interacting with the story. Math games are also very popular with our students.
I have been working in the kindergarten classroom, and we have 2 kids use an iPad for about 10-15 minutes during station time. With 2 iPads, we are able to see 3/4 of the class in one period of station time. We simply keep a checklist and call up the other kids next time. I select 5 or 6 apps to have one one homescreen, and ask the kids to select from those apps. With young kids, too much choice is overwhelming. The noise really does not bother other kindergartners during station time.
It's such a challenge finding non-fiction! The Rounds series from Nosy Crow are nice, but for much younger kids. That Barefoot Atlas is much too big--takes up way too much space on my iPad. I wish Bookerella/Story Worldwide would make another Bapp soon.
Thanks for the review of these apps. I want to check out the Barefoot Atlas now.
ReplyDeleteHi Mary Ann, I really should be exploring all these apps on my iPad. I keep meaning to but lethargy and lack of imagination when it comes to techie stuff have been my excuse thus far. I am excited though by everything you have shared with us this week, that I am truly tempted to snap out of it and just search for these apps. Will do that now. :)
ReplyDeleteMary Ann, Thanks for the great info. I was wondering how you structure students' time with the iPads and what guidelines do you give them. Only two kids per iPad? Specific guidelines on what apps to play? Do you use them for structured lessons or just free play before school?
ReplyDeleteThanks! Leslie
Thanks, Myra. I hope you have fun exploring this apps! Leslie, thanks for your great questions. I do need to write that up more. But for now:
ReplyDeleteWe primarily have the iPads available for free use during recess in the library. Kids are excited to use them, so typically 2 or 3 kids pass an iPad between them, taking turns flipping pages and interacting with the story. Math games are also very popular with our students.
I have been working in the kindergarten classroom, and we have 2 kids use an iPad for about 10-15 minutes during station time. With 2 iPads, we are able to see 3/4 of the class in one period of station time. We simply keep a checklist and call up the other kids next time. I select 5 or 6 apps to have one one homescreen, and ask the kids to select from those apps. With young kids, too much choice is overwhelming. The noise really does not bother other kindergartners during station time.
Hope this helps!
Mary Ann
It's such a challenge finding non-fiction! The Rounds series from Nosy Crow are nice, but for much younger kids. That Barefoot Atlas is much too big--takes up way too much space on my iPad. I wish Bookerella/Story Worldwide would make another Bapp soon.
ReplyDelete