Source: 

Adding edtech solutions to the equation in K–12 math classrooms is helping students achieve new levels of mastery and confidence. Here some innovative educators share ideas and best practices.

THE PURE JOY OF LEARNING

Lesser teachers might run a mile from a kindergarten classroom composed of 95 percent ELL students who speak six different languages. But Greg Smedley-Warren (or “Mr. Greg,” as he is known) embraces the challenge of this class at J.E. Moss Elementary, a Title I school in Metro Nashville (TN) Public Schools, with joy and enthusiasm—and some exciting AR tools.

With everything going on in his classroom, the tech tools he uses need to be easy to set up and use. “An edtech tool isn’t going to be an asset to my students if they can’t use it independently. And I won’t bring an edtech tool into my classroom if it means more work for me!”

His students’ joy, excitement, curiosity, and willingness to take risks, Mr. Greg says, “make our classroom fun and innovative. They arrive each day with a smile “because they love learning and they love being in our classroom.”

SQUEALS AND GIGGLES: LEARNING COMES ALIVE

The iPads and interactive whiteboard in the classroom literally come alive as Math alive’s 3D animals jump off the screens to teach lessons on greater than/less than, addition, and subtraction. And the students’ improved skills reflect their engagement.

Mr. Greg also uses Letters alive to supplement ABC BOOTCAMP, a component of his TKS (The Kindergarten Smorgasbord) BOOTCAMP curriculum. The goal is to master all 26 letters and sounds in 26 days. “Each day, we introduce a sound and letter and make a silly hat,” he says. “As part of this introduction of letters and sounds, we use the zoo animal AR cards from Letters alive. The AR animals get the kids excited and engaged, plus they’re fun. Each animal makes the kids laugh and squeal and giggle. Using Letters alive to supplement our research-based ABC BOOTCAMP has helped our students succeed as readers and writers while having fun in the classroom! This laughter and joy is what learning should be!”

Learn more at thekindergartensmorgasboard.com

TOOLS THEY USE
MOSS ELEMENTARY

■ Learning alive Plus (from Alive Studios), including Letters alive and Math alive

To read the full article click here.