"LeapFrog, the maker of learning toys like the Tag Reading System, is offering Kindergarten teachers the opportunity to get the Tag Reading System and books for free. LeapFrog is looking to partner with Kindergarten teachers through the Tag Kindergarten Program. The LeapFrog Tag Kindergarten Program will provide teachers with nearly $3200 worth of equipment and books for their classrooms. In exchange, Kindergarten teachers offer LeapFrog feedback about how they are using the Tag Reading System in their classrooms and how it affected student learning. The deadline to apply for the program is November 11."
That sounded cool to me. I've always thought the Leap Frog products were neat, but the only way I could get them in my classroom was to buy them myselfs, and unfortunately my teacher paycheck just doesn't have much cushion. I check into it and got the go ahead from my principal and applied. I really didn't think I'd actually get them, but figured it couldn't hurt to apply.
Well, a week or so into December I got an email saying I got accepted into the program and I'd recieve my Tag Readers in January. I was so excited, but was still scared it wasn't really going to happen. I never win anything like that.
Well, guess what I got today...3 boxes from Leap Frog! I have 6 tag readers and 28 different books in sets of six along with all the accessories (including rechargable batteries and a charger! It was like Christmas all over again. I couldn't wait for the day to be over to unpack and play. I took one home tonight and have had a blast palying with it.
For those of you not familiar with the Tag Reader, it's a pen the children can use to touch a book and have the book read to them. They can go page by page or word by word. They can touch the picutres for sound effects and even hear the characters talk. It even has little games the kids can play. It's really super neat. I can see a child spending 30 minutes on each book if they really explore it. You can check it out here http://www.leapfrog.com/tag/. I think this would make a great gift for a 4 or 5 or 6 year old child.
Not only is it a cool product, but I think it's really great of Leap Frog to offer these to classrooms for free and to want teachers imput like they do. I'm so excited to be a part of this!
2 comments:
Very cool! We had a couple of sets for the entire classroom, but even in second grade, I had a lot of kids that would really benefit from the TAG readers. Have you seen the Leap Track system?
So glad you will be able to put these to work in your classroom! Let us know how it goes!
EEEEk - can't wait to see how the kids like(love) them! I would totally sit there and play with them... but we all know I'm easily amused!
I love that you took the initiative to go out on a limb and do great things for your kids - it paid off in the end - your kids are truely blessed this year!
Love you!
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