Word BINGO ~Review~

Word BINGO

This app is set up very similar to Math BINGO. It uses the simple concept of BINGO to reinforce sight words. The app gives the options to choose various levels of sight words (pre-primer through third grade). Once a level is chosen, the next option is to choose a game: word bingo or spelling practice. In word bingo, a word is spoken while a grid of words are displayed (AKA bingo board). The user is expected to recognize word, find it within the bingo board, and touch correct box. The user is continually given words until they get a BINGO. Wrong answers are displayed at bottom. The user gets points for correct answer. Once you get a BINGO, a score is given and user wins BINGO bugs. Once BINGO bugs are earned, the user can use them to play game additional games. I have to admit, we often didn't get time to "play" with the bugs. Spelling practice is for working on spelling the words correctly. It can be customized to show letter "hints" where students match the letters or without "hints" so just the mixed up letters in the work are shown. With the spelling practice section, I really liked how each time the letter was touched, it spoke the letter. Bonus games were given if you spelled 10 words correctly. After games are played, the app will generate a "report card" so that you can view how well the student did on each of the activities.

Additional IEP applications

There are so many IEP application for this app above the basic sight word reinforcement. The BINGO section can be used to assess students word recognition in a 'fun' way aside from flash cards or simple text. The spelling section could be used when working on letter identification and matching letters. The natural set up of the app (first work, then a 'game') allows for a built in reinforcer to complete the task so that they can play.

Suggestions

The app, unlike the Math BINGO, has a section for game settings. This allows for control of sound and game setup (yeah!), that was not available with the math one. The "How to" section is a little easier to read, but still having a 'read me' for the directions may be helpful. A couple other options:

1. When wrong word is touched on Bingo board, I found that the students often wanted to get a second chance and touch the correct word. This often lead to another incorrect answer because they were then answer a question behind. If possible, it would be nice if once a word was wrong, that the correct word would get highlighted on board so students could get that reinforcement. I know that this kind of doesn't work with the whole true BINGO experience and it may also not work for scoring. It would help reinforce the correct responses. I know my students would find that helpful.
2. I like the game setting features; however, it would be great if those features could be saved under each student profile. This way the app would already be set up to go from student to student without an adult having to change the settings.

Conclusion
In conclusion, Word BINGO is a great and fun way to teach and reinforce the sight words. The customizable options allows you to differentiate; however, the options are not user specific. They apply to the whole app. Word BINGO provides a way to assess students word recognition without asking them to say a word. With $0.99 price tag, this app is a fun and engaging way when teaching and reinforcing the basic facts either 1-1 or with a small group of students.

APP INFO
developer: ABCya!
website: http://www.abcya.com/
itunes:  Word BINGO
category: Education
recently updated: Word BINGO March, 2011

Math BINGO ~Review~

Check out the ABCya! website for great online games. I have tried several in my special education classroom as well as used some of the KDG and 1st grade activities within the Kindergarten classroom. Most have worked well with the SMARTboard (interactive whiteboard).


Math BINGO

This app uses the simple concept of a BINGO game to reinforce math facts. The app gives the options to choose addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division as well as a mixed operation option. There are 3  level selection. The app allows for up to 5 players to be saved with ability to play as guest. Math problem is given (ex. 4+1=__) along with a grid of numbers (AKA bingo board). The user is expected figure out the answer and touch correct number on grid. The user is continually given math problems until they get a BINGO. The user gets points for correct answer and for speed with deduction taken for incorrect responses. Once you get a BINGO, a score is given and user wins BINGO bugs. I have to admit that I was a little confused at first about the BINGO bugs. As I explore the app, I found it has a very nice "How to" section that explained the game. After I read the section, navigating the game was much easier. I did find that directions were geared more towards older students and adults. Once BINGO bugs are earned, the user can use them to play BINGO bungee game. The object of BINGO bungee is to shoot bingo bug via sling shot to collect the most coins. Game points are listed on a score board . Within the score board, individual student's "high" scores can be viewed as well a high scoreboard for all students. The view all students option is nice for when multiple users may be using the same iPad.

Additional IEP applications
This app is great for reinforcing basic math skills. I used it to work on addition and subtraction skills with both Kindergarten students with and without IEPs. It is a great way to have students show you what they know but taking off the pressure of giving a verbal answer. I was able to sit near student, he could complete the problems while I simply watched (and documented) his responses. It made the assessment task much more fun for all involved. I also could see using it to work on number identification. The teacher could help facilitate the answer, then ask student to find that number. Again, working on receptive language.

Suggestions
I do have a few of suggestions that would make this app more even more appealing:

1. The music during the introduction time is a little overstimulating, especially to someone who might be sensitive to sounds. I used the mute button or turned down volume, but it would nice to have option to turn on/off.
2. In a classroom setting, I could see this app being used; however, the ability to add more than 5 users would be helpful in accommodating classrooms where only and iPad or 2 are available.
3. It would also be helpful for the directions to be read aloud, if needed.
   

Conclusion
In conclusion, Math BINGO is a great and fun way to reinforce the math facts. It provides a way to assess students without asking them to write an answer or verbally give the number which is often a struggle for students with special needs. I could see this app being used 1-1 as well as with 1-3 students. With $0.99 price tag, this app is a "must have" when teaching and reinforcing the basic facts.

APP INFO
developer: ABCya!
website: http://www.abcya.com/
itunes: Math BINGO
category: Education
recently updated: Math: Feb, 2011

Dear dad, (example)

Here is a completed "note".
Dear Dad,
Today I was feeling happy. I was feeling that way because I am at school.

Dear mom/dad....

Another extension activity that I did with MeVille to WeVille was having the students compose a "note home". As a review of the feelings words, students were asked to write a note home regarding feeling and why they felt that way. I decided to make the note into a SMARTboard file, giving the students picture choices to finish the sentences. To some degree, it was "errorless" as most of the choice all make sense in the sentences. However, some of the options would not be appropriate for all students.

This group of pictures are of the blank pages of the note presented to the students on the SMARTboard. Students were expected to make a choice by sliding picture to the blank spot. Some students needed for assistance than others. The 2 students with Vanguard devices used eye gaze or arm movements to indicate choices between two and then used the device to make a choice of feeling. All other students were left to choose through SMARTboard, then asked to verbally tell/read sentences with model as needed.

 

The students all did an excellent job with the activity. Students' answers were very appropriate to the situation and feelings chosen. One student chose happy, then I went potty...we are in the process of potty training and she is SOOO proud of herself. Another student has been struggling with changes at home and allergies....this student chose sad, then I am at school.


Students: Great work today!
Parents: I hope you enjoyed the "notes home" today.

~Melanie

Me I Am by Jack Prelutsky

As the school year draws to a close, I didn't want to start a new MeVille to WeVille Unit. We complete Unit 1 a week or so ago. Since then, realizing we only have about 15 days of school left (now about 11 days), I decided to include some of the "enrichment" activities. As I flipped through the manual, I saw several activities, but the activity that suggested an internet search for the poem Me I Am! was interesting to me. (Great suggestion, if you are doing MeVille in your class, please complete this activity!) I have to admit, I don't often think about introducing poetry. I often get so focused on "sight words" or "picture identification", that I forget that all types of literature deserve to be introduced.

Here is a picture of few of the students' Me I Am! collages. I traced hands and feet, then students help measure them from top to bottom. The adults cut them out (so they maintained they original shape) and students assembled collage. They turned out really nice!

This poem was so appropriate for the classroom and for our whole school. We do our best to embrace the uniqueness of each student and I believe that we succeed. The students have made so much progress this year. I have enjoyed learning from them as much as I hope they have learned from me. I just had to share this poem. I hope you enjoy!

Me I Am !

I am the only Me I Am
Who qualifies as me,
no Me I AM has been before,
and none will ever be
No other Me I Am can feel
the feelings I’ve within,
no other Me I Am can fit
precisely in my skin
There is no other Me I Am
who thinks the thoughts I do,
the world contains one Me I Am
this earth shall ever see,
that Me I Am I always am
is no one else but Me!

by Jack Prelutsky