Using a SMARTBoard with young children

[Randee Brodeur]

This is my first SMARTBoard and it  will be installed in my first grade classroom soon.  I'm concerned that if the board is installed at the height of my whiteboard, students won't be able to reach it.  How do your young children reach so they can use the board - do you have it installed lower on the wall, use pointers or some sort of step stools so they can reach?  I'd appreciate any suggestions you may have.  Thanks!

[Mechele Ussery]

yes, I install it low as it can go.  Mine is on wheels and I have stools.....four in fact for the kids to stand on and walk across.  My mothers boyfriend was going to make me a longer wooden stool.  The trouble is that it takes up so much of the whiteboard space.  Last year I had it angled to the side and turned the projector so I could use the white board which I like to use also.   I kept some tubs for storage in the middle of the legs so it wouldn't move so easily.  My kids use spongy or foam pointers to reach, and stress balls, and bouncy foam balls to write!(If you pick up a pen you can write with anything.  I teach 1st and 2nd math and science!

[Kim Daniels]

There is state height guidelines to suite the height of the students.  It should be installed using these heights.  I do suggested when creating SmartBoard activities to make it lower on the board versus higher.

[Meredith Richter]

I teach special needs preschool.  We are having ours installed 18" off the ground and we will also be using "retired" exercise steps (these are plastic, lightweight and rounded edges) for the students to step up on.  Also, I think there are pointers that can be used to simulate the human hand to extend the reach.  If not, use a soft tip pointer and then you touch for them.  Those are easy to make with pencil top erasers and a dowel rod.

[Patricia Newman]

I had it installed 24" from the floor and then for even the smallest of children they can reach up 2/3rd of the Smartboard. I also have a bench next to our Smartboard for children who want to get higher. I do move the tools down to the bottom when my students are drawing on the board. This allows them to use all of the tools.

Pat

[Francesca]

I teach to children from 6 to 10 so I had to choose a middle height so for shortest children I use a little step bought at the Ikea or pointers.

Hope it helps.

Francesca