Blocks EX

I love Twitter! While trying to plan out the rest of the school year, I was trying to find a way my first graders could build their own dream house. I was at a loss, and I tweeted out the question.  Of course, the first response was MineCraft, which we don't have at school and can't afford.  Here's the conversation that ensued next.

1. Leka DeGroot ‏@slfirstgrade  May 2

   @Cncdky How about this? Blocks Express by miSoftware https://appsto.re/us/g5RkI.i 

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2. Craig Dunlap ‏@Cncdky  May 2

   @slfirstgrade You are my new best friend! Thank you!

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3. Leka DeGroot ‏@slfirstgrade  May 2

   @Cncdky let me know how it goes if you try it!!

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Craig Dunlap‏@Cncdky

@slfirstgrade Great find! They LOVE it! Thanks!

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10:16 AM - 7 May 2014

Today was my first round of first graders, and as I said above... they loved it! I won't say it wasn't without glitches, but I think most of those could have been cleaned up by using the full version.

I allowed students to just play with it for a while, then I gave them 10 minutes to build their dream house.  I didn't see too many of the final products, but they weren't exactly creating architectural masterpieces. What I did love is they were all over the room helping each other. Within moments I was able to refer students to their classmates to answer questions.  To be able to tell first graders, "You have more experience on this app than I do. You'll need to help each other," is a daunting idea, but they rocked the house.

Thanks to Leka for your help, and to Twitter for connecting us!

PS I just downloaded Blocks EX for my preschool daughter to enjoy.
PPS She'll graduate from preschool next week. I have to get used to calling her my kindergarten daughter. Ugh!