What Is Next Generation Preschool Science?

Next Generation Preschool Science brings together educational researchers from SRI Education and EDC, public media producers from WGBH, and preschool teachers and children to create rich early science curricula that integrate tablet-based and traditional learning experiences. Thanks to funding from the National Science Foundation, the team…

Congrats and thanks to Efrain Ponce, American Graduate Champion

AmGradPost

Efrain Ponce works with two children on a First 8 Studios iPad activity.

This Thanksgiving week, First 8 Studios reflects with gratitude on the inspiring teachers who have collaborated with us.

One particular “Thank you!” goes to Efrain Ponce, for being a great role model to young children and their teachers, and for being a dedicated partner to First 8 Studios! Congrats on your recognition as an American Graduate Champion!

http://video.wgbh.org/video/2365567725/

We’ll miss our preschool graduates!

It has been such a joy to work with Head Start teacher Rania and her preschoolers on the Next Generation Preschool apps over the last two years! Here’s a short video from our last visit of the school year (thanks to a third party app called Magisto!):

We’re sad to see some of our young friends graduate from preschool, but excited for what their lives will bring! Good luck, and many thanks to Head Start, Rania, and her class!!

The Early Math Teacher’s Guide Is Here!

Our Early Math Teacher’s Guide is now available!

Guide Homepage

We are thankful to our teachers and researchers for helping us develop the web-based guide and curriculum supplement that provides support for the Gracie & Friends iPad apps (now available in the Apple App Store).

The free guide includes 3-week curriculum sequences for two math units: subitizing and equipartitioning. It shares pictures of real teachers in the classroom using each of the activities, including digital and hands-on games and activities, books, songs, snacks, and outdoor play! 

Not familiar with subitizing and equipartitioning? The Early Math Teacher’s Guide helps to understand the math as well as how to teach it. More professional development videos and topics coming over the next few months.

We are thrilled to share this guide and look forward to hearing how you use it!

Gracie & Friends Lemonade Stand in the Apple App Store!

With the launch of four apps focused on subitizing (instantly recognizing how many there are of something), Gracie and Friends is proud to announce the first of four apps that help preschoolers develop their skills in equipartitioning! Equipartitioning is equal sharing a collection of objects or a whole object by dividing it into equal groups or portions.

Lemonade Stand, now released and available for download through the Apple App Store, invites children to create equivalent cups of lemonade for customers in 20 increasingly tricky levels of gameplay. They slide ice cubes around a table and into cups by tipping and tilting the iPad! Every cup needs the same number of ice cubes, but not any lady bugs! Can you make similar servings at your Lemonade Stand? Try it out and see!