Technology Ideas for pre-k?

[Martha]

I'm not complaining, but I just got showered with technology as part of a special program my district is doing. I have access to an interwrite tablet, a set of Personal Response clickers (also by Interwrite) as well as a lot of software like Pixie and Inspiration.

I am also getting three Macbook laptops for students to use in my room. I would like to use them for an exploratory center-type activity, maybe using some websites if someone knows good ones.

Additionally my division has a big push for podcasting. I have audio and video recording capability, any great ideas?

Since I'm getting access to these things I feel that its pretty important I use them! I have some ideas but I thought I would put a line out there and see if anyone has additional ones for this equipment. I teach pre-k music only, so obviously that limits my choices a bit.

[Carol Broos]

Start a blog and post all the sound files. It is so powerful when students create and other's can comment. Brenda's site is wonderful. http://mrsmuench.edublogs.org/ She is currently a K-3 music teacher and technology director. Reading stories they have written is also a great source.

[Amy M. Burns]

Hi Martha,

With my PreK and K, I agree with Carol's idea of recording them. I have recorded them singing our class songs and our concert (more like informance) songs. When they create new songs and improvise on rhythms instruments, I record those too. Posting them on my website or my podcast site lets the parents easily go to the site and listen to them. This is a great way to get your curriculum out of your classroom and into the parents' hands.

Websites like Morton Subotnick's http://www.creatingmusic.com has worked well with preK if they can handle a computer mouse (usually not a problem with my kids). When they are at this site, they go to the Musical Sketch Pad and write the letters that they are learning in their classroom. They then listen to the sounds of the letters. In addition, you can highlight the letter and turn it upside down or inside out. It is a nice listening lesson.

Another PreK lesson that I have performed is one that I have made with powerpoint or SMART Board. It involves stick figures showing such movements as jumping, hopping, walking, stretching, etc and playing music while the students perform the movements on screen. As the music and powerpoint progresses, the students will take a partner and perform the movements with them. My kids like this and it gets them moving, which is so important with PreK.

I hope that these ideas help.

Sincerely,
Amy Burns

[Christine Schettler]

"Thinking Things" is always a great music application for the little ones. It has different activities for listening and composing. I teach kinder - 5th grade, and bring Kindergarten to the computer lab. It is definitely something that Pre-K could do.