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Review :: Creative iPad Case

71nckx5SQBL._SL1500_I was recently lucky enough to get an iPad Mini funded through DonorsChoose for my students! I’m super excited because there are all kinds of awesome apps to teach social skills, communication, and problem-solving. Unfortunately, I had to way to use the apps without an iPad!

It’s supposed to arrive sometime in the next couple weeks, but in the mean time I’ve bean searching for a good case for it. There’s tons of cute ones out there, but so many don’t provide the “military-grade” protection I know I’ll need…haha!

Luckily I came across this one! Not only is it very cute looking, but I also love the handles and that it appears to be very durable! It’s also made for all different models of iPads. Some of the reviews mention that it doesn’t stand up well, but that’s not really why I’m buying the case to begin with! I ordered one in purple and I’ll post an update after I get it to let you know how it holds up 🙂

Anyone know of any must-have apps while I’m waiting!?

Happy Sunday!

Update 4/11/13: I definitely REALLY love this case!  It’s a bit tight to get the iPad mini into, but it looks fantastic and I know it will hold up to the abuse my students will put it through. It even stands up on the desk. I’ve already gotten tons of compliments from my coworkers 🙂

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Student Funnies :: Act Like a Human?

animals

I recently found a game on Pinterest that involves rolling 2 dice – 1 with an emotion word on it, and the other with an animal. Students then get to take turns acting out a sad cat, excited mouse, nervous monkey, etc. I decided to try it in a class yesterday and this was the result. The other teacher in the room and I couldn’t stop laughing…luckily the student didn’t really understand what was so hilarious about it!

Me: And what animal will we act like when our dice rolls this?

Student: A cat!

Me: What about this?

Student: An elephant!

Me: And what will we act like when the dice rolls this?

Student: A human, but there’s no way I can act like a human!

Could be the truest thing I heard all year considering the licking and barking I witnessed earlier this week. Anyone else sometimes feel like they’re working in a zoo rather than a school!?

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Feeling Generous? I Need Some Help!

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Happy Saturday, everyone! I don’t usually post things like this, but I currently have a project listed at Donors Choose that expires in just a few days and I’d love any help I can get! The project is around halfway funded and if it expires before getting the rest of the way there, the money just goes back to the donors and can’t help my kids!

Many of the students I work with have Autism or other social deficits. Many of the things you and I take for granted, such as understanding social cues, dealing with stress, or having friendships, are extremely difficult for my students. And on top of that, most of my students do not learn information through their ears; they have to use pictures or other visual cues instead. By using an iPad, I can teach social skills lessons in the ways my students learn. There are so many amazing social skills and communication apps that have been developed, but I can’t use any of with them without an iPad. Everything from communicating effectively, to identifying emotions, to learning how to cope with stress and frustration can be taught with only one device. And now that Apple has developed the iPad Mini, my kids can have all of that for a much lower price. This is where we need your help!

If you’re not able to financially donate, you can still share my project with other people you know who might be interested! That would be a huge help in getting me to my goal.

Right now, you can also use the matching code “HoraceMann12” to double your donation. Anything will help and all donations are tax deductible! Thanks 🙂
Update: My project got funded!! Thank you all for helping to spread the word 🙂 My kids are SO excited!