All grades have been working hard to solve some real-world problems with the concepts they are learning in class.
Pre-K finished their Living and Nonliving Things unit by building animal homes for various animals they’ve seen around their community such as birds, squirrels, and even bugs! They loved explaining to others how their creation would keep their animal safe from weather as well as predators.
Kindergarten students are digging into their unit on the human body. They’re learning about the function of various body parts such as bones, muscles, the brain, heart, lungs, and stomach. They loved creating their model of the lungs.
First graders finished using Scratch Jr. to retell their story of Peanut Butter and Jellyfish. They’ve become excellent programmers throughout this unit. After the winter break, we will move away from the iPads as we learn about light and sound.
Second graders are working on their Changing Earth unit. They are learning about the fast changes to Earth’s surface like natural disasters (tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires, etc.) as well as slow changes from erosion.
Third grade students finished their compound machines to save their tiger. It was great to learn from other groups and see how they approached the same problem but in different ways. Very creative machines were built. We will begin a unit on programming when we return from break.
Fourth graders are digging into their unit on energy conversions as they learn how mechanical energy can be converted to electrical energy and even light and/or sound energy. When we return from break, we will dig into circuits.
Finally, our fifth graders have been reviewing their programming skills using Scratch. After the holiday break, students will work in teams to program their robotic vehicles to navigate a course autonomously.
I’m sure we will all enjoy this much needed winter break, but I am excited for all the learning that will take place when we return.
STEAM Supplies Request: If you have any of the following items in your recycling bins, I would love to take them in the STEAM room. We’ve gone through them much faster than I had anticipated. Thanks in advance! :)
