I usually use Chromebooks with 4th and 5th graders for our technology special. However, this week the Chromebooks have all been retasked for PARCC testing. So, I borrowed the iPad cart from our 2nd grade teachers and decided to do a quick lesson on using the iPads to create How To Videos. For the mini lesson, we started with a simple task of creating a square with Zome Tools. We talked about the importance of being very specific with instructions so that another person can follow the steps. Students had a great discussion about how pictures really help the audience to understand each step. After modeling how to take a photo with the iPad and use it in Show Me, students got to work on their How To Make a Square videos.
The engagement in this lesson was really high -- they had a great time making the videos. I noticed a few things that I need to address next week. I'll need to revisit the norms for working with a partner. Since we've done partner work on Chromebooks, I skipped this step for the How To Videos. However, as I look at the student work, I can see that some students quickly dominated the voice recording and I would like all of the students to have that opportunity. Some students found it irresistible to become comedians with the videos. While I want them to have fun, I will need to address the need be appropriate and on task while recording. I learned a few things as I did this lesson the first time, that I'll adjust next time. But, all in all, it was a great way to reinforce procedural writing.
