First Graders Take the Lead

At Villa Maria Academy, teachers have been changing their ways to no longer be classroom directors, but more facilitators of learning, who encourage students to take the lead.

Last week, in First Grade, Mrs. Long’s class was working on fractions. After a few days of studying them and working with blocks in different colors, and students with similar and different traits, along with other visual aids to assist with learning, Mrs. Long decided to do something a little different.

She had the girls work with an app on the iPad called ‘Educreations’. Educreations is a unique interactive whiteboard and screencasting tool that’s simple and fun to use. Teachers typically use this app to create short instructional videos that can be shared instantly with students. Or in this case, ask students to show what they know and help friends learn something new.

Each girl worked with a partner to create a short recording explaining fractions and what they had learned. “It was a fun way for them to learn about what they already knew and teach each other, and also as a piece of formative assessment for me,” said Mrs. Long. “We worked on them for two days. The first day, the girls were really just getting used to the recording as they were talking and drawing out the fractions. The second day they recorded them to use and go over together before their exam. They had a lot of fun with it! And I think for all of us it was very helpful.”