Roller Coasters!

Our recent science unit we studied the engineering design process and rollercoasters. Using a unit I found here, each student was given the task to create a roller coaster within certain constraints. The goal was to have the marble ride the rollercoaster for as long as possible before coming to a stop. We learned what makes roller coasters work and why we use the engineering design process.

Not only did students learn valuable science and engineering skills, but the activity promoted team work and collaboration. Just look at how they all worked together crafting their designs!

In the end we demonstrated and recorded our work and let some of the other grades come by to try them out. If you liked this, check out a similar adventure creating cardboard games. 

Comics

Students enjoyed creating comics in Pixton to respond to their reading club books. Here are a few examples of vocabulary and character work. 

Cardboard carnival

As part of our science curriculum, the 4/5/6 grades participated in creating games out of cardboard and held a fundraiser for Passion 4 Paws. It was a great success and students raised over 100.00 and collected three bins of toys, treats and other doggie goodies to donate to their chosen charity. It was a great example of student centered learning, collaboration and community service. We had fun creating, displaying and playing each others games and making a ton of popcorn and cotton candy!

Google CS First

Students in the 4/5/6 are using the Google CS first program to learn basics of programming in Scratch, a platform created by MIT. Scratch is a block programming site that allows users to drag and drop code to create a multitude of projects. They even will send you this nifty little kit to track progress when you set up your own group. 

To see some of the awesome projects students have created, visit these links:

https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/105081254/
https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/134972726/
https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/136451816/

Makerspace challenges

Recently I attended a Vita Learn workshop about paper circuits and got a tour of the amazing Makerspace at Crossett Brook in Waterbury. I was inspired to create a tool for accountability during our Genius Hour. Here you see an example of a Challenge and our Wall of Fame where students can earn badges when they complete a challenge. The project is in an evolutionary state, but so far the students have really taken to stepping it up! 

Mystery Skyping

Mystery Skype is an awesome way to teach kids about geography. Students Skype with a classroom that they do not know the location of and ask yes or no questions to try and figure out what state or country a school is located in. Through this program we were able to identify mountain ranges, time zones, major rivers to win our very first round with a school in Texas! Thanks to our district's tech integrationist for documenting the experience in this Tweet.

So happy to see some of my elementary students involved in a #mysteryskype this morning! @teachpoint0 #wssuteach pic.twitter.com/7gKOrqVOR9

— Brucie Donahue (@bruciedonahue) November 16, 2016

We are keeping track of our progress using this map she provided along with some supplemental tools you see beside it. To get started visit the Microsoft Mystery Skype site. It's easy to set up and the students had a great time connecting with other students via video. 

New Year, New School, New Projects

This school year I accepted a position at a new school and have been getting to know my new students and staff. Again, I find myself in a small rural setting wearing many hats but now I am much closer to home.  I am not only the Librarian, but I also teach technology and have my very own 4/5/6 grade class. I'm also charged with helping out with some administrative duties while our part time principal is fulfilling her other obligations.  (All this on top of my personal life, which I assure you has not been quiet either!) None the less, we have made time for some exciting projects and initiatives here. I will try and be more diligent about posting updates, for now I'm playing catch up. Stay tuned for inspiration and ideas!



Bee well,
Jen