Class Library iOS App

This app recently came though my Facebook Timeline, and I was instantly intrigued.  Class Library is a simple app for cataloging and managing your classroom library!  I haven't been in school this week (it's a little cold here in Chicago!), so I haven't had a chance to try it out extensively, but it seems perfect for a classroom.  Once you sign in it gives you options for scanning or manually adding books to the database, and adding students.  You can easily check out or check in books to students, again either manually or by scanning them!

The app syncs across devices so after installing on my iPhone & my iPad I had access the library on both devices!!  This app is free this week (I'm assuming until 1/10/14), but it is typically only ($1.99, I think).  The website mentions that Android, Windows Phone & Web versions are coming soon!  I recommend checking out this app for your classroom!

Class Library (Universal, Free for a limited time)

Patrick

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#AppMondayTAS - Kid estorybooks

I've had the opportunity to review 2 fun and engaging ebook apps were a pleasure to check out.  Hide, Run, Growl and Open, Wide, Snap are 2 apps which include quite a few good features for beginning readers.  It includes an option to have it read to the student, or read by itself.  When you use the "Read it Myself"you can touch individual words to hear them aloud.  You can also touch pictures in the story to hear them spoken and see them.

The apps also include some fun games.  You can play a couple of different puzzles, as well as a matching game.  The stories are quite well written and include a ton of descriptive words.  They are also perfect to use as sequencing activities.  The predictable text makes them another great choice for beginning readers.

They only additions I would like to see added to the app are a few more options in the games section.  I think it would be great if you could pick how many pieces you'd like for the puzzles.  I'd also like to have options for more or less tiles in the Pairs game.  Otherwise these are two great apps!

Hide, Run, Growl - (Universal | $1.99)

Open, Wide, Snap - (Universal | $1.99)

Patrick

**the reviewer was provided a copy of both apps reviewed**

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Oh Baby!

Today's post will be the last for a little while, because we are anxiously awaiting the arrival of my first child! It's been a very exciting time and I can't wait to meet them (no, we don't know if it's a boy or girl!). So in that vein I thought I'd share some interesting things I've found while getting ready for the baby.

I've recently picked up a book called NutureShock: New Thinking About Children by Po Bronson. I'm pretty traditional in my views about raising children, but am always interested in new theories and such. This book is not about that, this book is about research. What does the research say about things like praise (we my overdo it), sleep (kids aren't getting enough), lying (all kids do it, especially teenagers), and sibling rivalry (Freud got it wrong). I've not finished the book, but really think it is something that every teacher, parent, or grandparent should read.

My best friend, writer, and stay-at-home dad started writing a blog - The Children are Revolting. Joe is actually my wife's friend from high school, but I've stolen him! He's been home raising his 2 boys for a little over 4 years now, and these boys are wonderful. He decided to chronicle a few of the more interesting things that have happened, please take a moment to check out his blog.

I will be back sometime this summer, once I've gotten a little sleep!

Patrick


Photo courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons: fofurasfelinas


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Most Viewed Posts

As the end of the year approaches, I'd like to take some time to share some of my favorite posts, posts that have garnered a lot of comments, and posts that are the most viewed. I'll be sharing these over the next few days. So today let's start with some of the most viewed posts of my short blogging career!

Social Stories Sites

Making Talking Powerpoint Books
Boardmaker Plus Book Template
PODD & Partner Assisted Communication
New info on PODD, now has a US version for letter paper available here: US Letter PODD
Math Fact Cafe

So if you're new to Teaching All Students, take a look at these posts, and for those who've followed for a while feel free to take a look back and refresh your memory. Have a wonderful Christmas everybody, and Happy Hanukkah too!

Patrick

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All Rights Reserved Worldwide. Used with permission.
Boardmaker is a trademark of Mayer-Johnson LLC.

Book Desktop Template

I've been struggling with a way to allow my students independent access to the powerpoint books I've created. I have many books, and the kids love to read them, but they can't open them independently. That's a major problem, I'd love them to have the opportunity to do it on their own. Taking a cue from Yuichi and a quick e-mail to tech support, here's what I've come up with:





Book Desktop Template

There are a few little things you need to do to make this file work for you. First you need to transfer the files you wish to open (powerpoint or whatever) to the SDP Externals folder inside your Boardmaker folder (I assume this works on PC, but I haven't tried it).



Book Template is the first page you open, and I put a category picture on this page and link it to the Book page (template.bm2) where I actually put link to the book.

Here's a look at the programming on the Desktop Book Template button to change it to the book page:



Once on the Book Page I programmed the button to open the powerpoint file. Here's a photo of that:



This has been quite an experience for me, I've really learned a lot. The only thing I need to check out is that it works with my switch set-up. I'll keep you posted on that front

E-book Resource List

A QIAT listerve member - Dinell Stuckey - recently posted a list of E-Book resources. This list includes many websites that have free and subscription books. The books are available in e-text, audio files, intellitools, Boardmaker, flash and other formats. You can download a copy of the list here:

E-Text Resource List

Patrick

Some of my favorite posts...

I know I've only been blogging for a few months, but I thought that maybe it would be a good time to look at some of the posts I've done. These are a few of my favorites, take a look at them:

Accessible Book Template
Boardmaker Activity Pad
Accessible Book Launcher
Upset and you can help me by...
Google Reader
Literacy for All

Happy re-reading!
Patrick

KidThing

Kidthing was something I read about on the No Limits 2 Learningh Blog. Kidthing is an interactive reader for digital books. The reader is available to teachers at this link: Kidthing. The books are available for download each month, different books each month. Some titles have been by Dr. Seuss, National Geographic and more.

At this time the reader is available for Windows only (XP and Vista), but they say a Mac reader will be available by the end of the year. Looks like a great little item for any classroom with a computer!

Patrick

Stories in a New York Minute

A elementary classroom needs to have 1500 books in it to be considered a well stocked library.
Caroline Musselwhite

I don't remember exactly where Caroline got this information, but in looking around I don't know of many classrooms that have 1500 books. One way to increase the number of books in a classroom is by writing them yourself. Caroline recommends taking a topic and writing 4 quick stories - a noun story, verb story, adjective story, & preposition story. The books should be supported by photos or illustrations. Books can then be used to support a theme or topic of the month. Here's a link to the original information posted by Caroline Musselwhite:


Stories in a New York Minute