National History Day 2016

It was a clean sweep! All my 6th grade students are 

advancing to the state National History Day 

Competition!

Katie-1st Place Individual Presentation

Emma-1st Place Individual Exhibit

Jeremiah-2nd Place Individual Exhibit

Jack-3rd Place Individual Exhibit

Maddy and Cecilia-1st Place Group Exhibit

Cora-2nd Place Documentary

Way to go, 6th grade!

Community Connections

Creating Community Connections with Commercials

Our videos have been becoming so popular, that we've been getting requests from teachers and administrators.  This one is promoting our upcoming student-led conferences.  The theme is "Binder Boogie," and they really enjoyed making this one!  When making commercials, students use teamwork, writing, reading, creativity, and public speaking skills.  Sharing the commercials helps us connect with our community!  We love to invite guest to our school to see the amazing things we are doing!

Please join us for our Binder Boogie and Groovy Book Fair on March 23, 2016!

Here are a few more commercials my 5th grade class has created this year...

Cecilia's Christmas Card

Happy Holidays from Emma!

MakerSpace

We've been having a great time exploring our MakerSpace!  Our MakerSpace is shared space where students can explore STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math).  The MakerSpace is set up in stations where students can explore hands-on, inquiry-based activities.  So far, the Challenge students have explored making circuits, building roller coasters, creating shape drawings, making 3D shapes, programming with SCRATH, programming the Pro-Bot Car, and making music with the Makey, Makey.  We will change stations periodically, and we are hoping to get some new items soon!

It's Electric:  Students are making complete circuits!

               

                     Marble Roller Coaster Wall

Marble Roller Coaster Wall

3D Shapes with Straws

Makey Makey

Sorry About the Mess!

Krissy Venosdale knows all about teaching gifted kids.  She knows, as well as I do, that learning is hands-on and sometimes downright dirty.  Whether it's building a volcano, experimenting with sheep manure, or creating a work of art...making a mess is part of the creative process.  I keep this sign outside my door to remind visitors that we ARE learning.

I do, however, enjoy seeing our room clean an organized at the beginning of the year...really I do.  So, I want to show you pictures of our room actually clean.  Everything is in a spot, and the custodians are happy! 

But, what I enjoy even more than seeing a clean room, is seeing my students, explore, build, create, and problem solve.  Let's see how long it takes to really mess it up (in a good way)!  

Howtoons!

I just discovered Howtoons, the world's greatest DIY comic website!  No more boring "how to" books...students can learn to make things by reading comics!  I'm excited to incorporate Howtoons into our MakerSpace.  Maybe students can even create their own Howtoons...the possibilities are endless!