LCD projectors and document cameras are very common in my school district, even with teachers of very young children. If you're not familiar with doc cameras, they are like overheads. They are used with a projector. However, they do not need transparencies! They show opaque objects like books, rulers, newspapers, and coins. Teachers use them with all sorts of manipulatives and printed materials. Many of the doc cameras even take pictures or videos that can be stored on your computer.
SMARTboard interactive whiteboards are also a big thing. We have them in all of our classrooms, so even the first grade teachers use them on a daily basis for all types of activities. Go to smarttech.com if you want to learn about them and other SMART products.
Teachers also use educational videos or podcasts. Many are available online for free. Some school districts have programs like United Streaming so you can search for and download educational videos. Also try websites like youtube.com, teachertube.com, National Geographic, etc. Just be careful with copyright laws. Many resources are free to view and share in a classroom, but some may not be.
Some first graders even use computers in school. (I teach computers to first through fifth graders!) Text-to-speech programs can read what is written on the computer. There are different ones available free on the Internet, or possibly already on your computers. They can help with reading or with students who are visually impaired. Audacity is available free online. With microphones, you can record yourself or students. You can then edit and save files as mp3s. This can be used for a variety of purposes including recording reading fluency for public speaking, recording your own books on tape (CD, ipod, whatever), or putting sounds into movies, slideshows, webpages, etc. My first grade students love reading and drawing programs like Storybook Weaver and KidPix. Some of them with computers at home are even familiar with the Internet and e-mail! It's amazing what first graders are able to do! Just don't underestimate them.
