2nd grade - 3/31/22
Second graders talked about Robots and programming during STEM today.
We read “Beep! Beep! Go to sleep!”
We did an activity where one student was the robot arm and the other was the programmer. The task was to sort the different pastas that were in the bowls!
Then we talked about how a robots program has to be exact and step by step for the algorithm to work. I told the kids to explain the steps in making a jelly sandwich, with some hilarious results! For example, upon hearing “take the bread out of the bag” I took out ALL the bread, instead of a piece or two. And “put the jelly on the bread;” I put the closed jar of jelly on the bread. They further explained that you indeed have to scoop it out of the jar!
You have to have all of the exact steps in your algorithm for the program to run correctly!
Thank you 2nd grade!
We read “Beep! Beep! Go to sleep!”
We did an activity where one student was the robot arm and the other was the programmer. The task was to sort the different pastas that were in the bowls!
Then we talked about how a robots program has to be exact and step by step for the algorithm to work. I told the kids to explain the steps in making a jelly sandwich, with some hilarious results! For example, upon hearing “take the bread out of the bag” I took out ALL the bread, instead of a piece or two. And “put the jelly on the bread;” I put the closed jar of jelly on the bread. They further explained that you indeed have to scoop it out of the jar!
You have to have all of the exact steps in your algorithm for the program to run correctly!
Thank you 2nd grade!
6th grade - 3/16/22
Yesterday I was back in 6th Grade!
We did part 2 of our Wind Energy STEM lesson.
This time, they took the reins. I had them make a simple paper pinwheel (wind turbine), then they could either find a way to modify the pinwheel or build a new machine from scratch using an array of materials I brought in.
Then, they tested their designs by my fan!
We did part 2 of our Wind Energy STEM lesson.
This time, they took the reins. I had them make a simple paper pinwheel (wind turbine), then they could either find a way to modify the pinwheel or build a new machine from scratch using an array of materials I brought in.
Then, they tested their designs by my fan!
third grade - 3/14/22
Today in 3rd Grade STEM…
We learned about a little known (but should be known!) woman of science, Marie Tharp. Together with her team, they took soundings of the ocean floor and made them into an undersea map! It took them 20 years to complete, from 1957 to 1977. In 1982, Tharp also created a seismicity map that showed earthquake activity along tectonic plates. Her work and others’ help support the Theory of Continental Drift!
We also learned how mountains are made and about different mountain ranges of the world on Google Earth.
Did you know: Mt. Everest grows by about 2 inches per year? And seashells/prehistoric ocean fossils have been found near the top?
A “mountain” of thanks, Third Graders!!
We learned about a little known (but should be known!) woman of science, Marie Tharp. Together with her team, they took soundings of the ocean floor and made them into an undersea map! It took them 20 years to complete, from 1957 to 1977. In 1982, Tharp also created a seismicity map that showed earthquake activity along tectonic plates. Her work and others’ help support the Theory of Continental Drift!
We also learned how mountains are made and about different mountain ranges of the world on Google Earth.
Did you know: Mt. Everest grows by about 2 inches per year? And seashells/prehistoric ocean fossils have been found near the top?
A “mountain” of thanks, Third Graders!!
6th Grade - 3/8/22
In 6th grade STEM today I blew them away talking all about wind energy! (See what I did there?)
We read a true story about a boy named William Kamkwamba who’s country of Malawi was faced with a drought and famine in 2001/2002. (Ancient history to 11-12 year olds, but in all respects a very recent event!) He at age 14 made a wind turbine out of junkyard parts that eventually brought electricity and irrigation to his village.
We talked a little bit about how dynamo motors work.
We talked a bit more about renewable energy sources.
My final hurrah was going to be designing and improving the blades on a wind turbine, but I ran out of time! So we will come back at a later date and do the project.
Thank you 6th grade for having me in class!
Also, check out “The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind” movie, adapted for Netflix!! Learn more about this extraordinary kid and his perseverance.
We read a true story about a boy named William Kamkwamba who’s country of Malawi was faced with a drought and famine in 2001/2002. (Ancient history to 11-12 year olds, but in all respects a very recent event!) He at age 14 made a wind turbine out of junkyard parts that eventually brought electricity and irrigation to his village.
We talked a little bit about how dynamo motors work.
We talked a bit more about renewable energy sources.
My final hurrah was going to be designing and improving the blades on a wind turbine, but I ran out of time! So we will come back at a later date and do the project.
Thank you 6th grade for having me in class!
Also, check out “The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind” movie, adapted for Netflix!! Learn more about this extraordinary kid and his perseverance.
4th and 5th grade classrooms - 2/15/22
I had so much fun bringing STEM to 4th and 5th Grade today!
They helped me with an ongoing project, building a LEGO map of the United States.
Each state also had a fact sheet, so we could learn while we were building.
Thank you for being so into it, guys! I appreciate your enthusiasm!
They helped me with an ongoing project, building a LEGO map of the United States.
Each state also had a fact sheet, so we could learn while we were building.
Thank you for being so into it, guys! I appreciate your enthusiasm!
Kindergarten 2-10-22
I got to visit Kindergarten for STEM today!
They are learning about seasons, so we talked about the changes that trees go through!
We read “We Planted a Tree” and “Our Tree Named Steve.”
We asked and answered LOTS of curious questions about trees: What do we get from trees? How can we be a friend to trees? Do you have a special tree that you play on? Can you name different kinds of trees?
Then we divided into groups and made a tree for each season!! Lots and lots of glue, split peas for summer, pumpkin seeds for spring buds, rhinestones for winter, and bean soup mix for fall!
Super fun group- thanks guys!
They are learning about seasons, so we talked about the changes that trees go through!
We read “We Planted a Tree” and “Our Tree Named Steve.”
We asked and answered LOTS of curious questions about trees: What do we get from trees? How can we be a friend to trees? Do you have a special tree that you play on? Can you name different kinds of trees?
Then we divided into groups and made a tree for each season!! Lots and lots of glue, split peas for summer, pumpkin seeds for spring buds, rhinestones for winter, and bean soup mix for fall!
Super fun group- thanks guys!
1st Grade 2-8-22
I got to “duck” into First Grade today
No really, we talked all about ducks and how their bodies help them in their environment!
We read the book “Ducks Don’t Get Wet.” We talked about how bills, wings, webbed feet, and feathers help ducks.
We did an experiment about how ducks preen their feathers with oil. We tried to mix oil and water in containers, and we shook them up REALLY hard…but they just didn’t mix! I gave them feathers, which they rubbed with oil. I went around and spritzed them with water, and it just beaded and rolled off! That’s why ducks don’t get wet!
Thank you Ms. Andres and First Graders for a “quacking” good time!
No really, we talked all about ducks and how their bodies help them in their environment!
We read the book “Ducks Don’t Get Wet.” We talked about how bills, wings, webbed feet, and feathers help ducks.
We did an experiment about how ducks preen their feathers with oil. We tried to mix oil and water in containers, and we shook them up REALLY hard…but they just didn’t mix! I gave them feathers, which they rubbed with oil. I went around and spritzed them with water, and it just beaded and rolled off! That’s why ducks don’t get wet!
Thank you Ms. Andres and First Graders for a “quacking” good time!
2nd Grade PE 2-3-22
Today, I got the pleasure of bringing STEM to 2nd Grade PhyEd!
We talked about how to make a well-rounded meal, things to eat in moderation, and how to balance nutrition with plenty of exercise.
We played “Fix My Plate!” Relay. We had 4 groups go to the 4 corners of the gym. On my count, the first person in each line had to run and grab a VEGETABLE out of my shopping basket in the middle.
We repeated with FRUIT, PROTEIN, STARCH, and (as an occasional treat) SWEETS.
We then went around and described what was on our plates. I learned that CARROTS are the most popular vegetable among the kids, and WATERMELON is the most popular fruit!
Thank you Mr. Sad and the 2nd Graders! Remember to “Eat the Rainbow.”
We talked about how to make a well-rounded meal, things to eat in moderation, and how to balance nutrition with plenty of exercise.
We played “Fix My Plate!” Relay. We had 4 groups go to the 4 corners of the gym. On my count, the first person in each line had to run and grab a VEGETABLE out of my shopping basket in the middle.
We repeated with FRUIT, PROTEIN, STARCH, and (as an occasional treat) SWEETS.
We then went around and described what was on our plates. I learned that CARROTS are the most popular vegetable among the kids, and WATERMELON is the most popular fruit!
Thank you Mr. Sad and the 2nd Graders! Remember to “Eat the Rainbow.”
4th grade 12-21-21
The 4th graders were rockin’ and rollin’ for STEM today! We taped down a piece of paper into our boxes, added some blobs of paint, dropped in a Christmas tree ornament, and taped another box on top.
Then, Mrs. Yoney played “Jingle Bell Rock” and we danced around and shook our boxes. The ornament rolled around in the paint and made a unique art piece!
I had so much fun and thank you for having me 4th grade! Merry Christmas
Then, Mrs. Yoney played “Jingle Bell Rock” and we danced around and shook our boxes. The ornament rolled around in the paint and made a unique art piece!
I had so much fun and thank you for having me 4th grade! Merry Christmas
first grade 11-30-21
STEM brought me into First Grade today! They are learning about maps and globes. We talked a little about different kinds of maps, about GPS, about landmarks; and we learned that map makers are called “cartographers.”
We started out with a read-aloud book called “Me on the Map” by Joan Sweeney.
We then pulled up Google Earth and did some flying around the globe, even to Paris, France!
We zoomed all the way out to see our planet Earth “The Big Blue Marble.” Then one by one we zoomed into our continent, our country, our state, our county, and our city.
We learned what a neat tool Google Earth is when we want to do some exploring! It’s fun, it’s free, and it’s super cool!
Thank you Ms. Andres and First Grade!
We started out with a read-aloud book called “Me on the Map” by Joan Sweeney.
We then pulled up Google Earth and did some flying around the globe, even to Paris, France!
We zoomed all the way out to see our planet Earth “The Big Blue Marble.” Then one by one we zoomed into our continent, our country, our state, our county, and our city.
We learned what a neat tool Google Earth is when we want to do some exploring! It’s fun, it’s free, and it’s super cool!
Thank you Ms. Andres and First Grade!
11-23-21 Kindergarten Classroom
I had the sweet Kindergarteners this morning for STEM as well!
We talked more about the science of sound. We watched a video on Sci Show Kids called “What is Sound?”
We played a game where they had to guess what 20 sounds were, and it was riotously popular!! (Flushing toilet, hooting owl, running faucet, cutting paper with scissors, to name a few…)
We covered our eyes and listened to the sounds around us in the school (We could hear Mr. Sad in gym class, for instance)
I brought my shakers from ASP and we tried to guess what they were.
Finally, we made kazoos out of toilet paper tubes, tissue paper, and rubber bands. Mrs. Eidsness was thrilled!
Thank you Kinder friends for your time and your listening ears.
We talked more about the science of sound. We watched a video on Sci Show Kids called “What is Sound?”
We played a game where they had to guess what 20 sounds were, and it was riotously popular!! (Flushing toilet, hooting owl, running faucet, cutting paper with scissors, to name a few…)
We covered our eyes and listened to the sounds around us in the school (We could hear Mr. Sad in gym class, for instance)
I brought my shakers from ASP and we tried to guess what they were.
Finally, we made kazoos out of toilet paper tubes, tissue paper, and rubber bands. Mrs. Eidsness was thrilled!
Thank you Kinder friends for your time and your listening ears.
11-23-21 Business Classroom
I had the 7th Hour Business class dive deeper into the LEGO Spike Prime kits today for STEM.
One of the unit plans is an Entrepreneurship module, and they (I think) enjoyed exploring it!
Thank you, Ms. Larson and Business friends!
One of the unit plans is an Entrepreneurship module, and they (I think) enjoyed exploring it!
Thank you, Ms. Larson and Business friends!
11-9-21 3rd grade classroom
On November 9, I was invited into the 3rd grade class for STEM.
We talked about animals that camouflage and watched a video. We talked about the difference between predator and prey.
We then took white cut outs of chameleons, and glued them onto colorful patterned scrapbook paper. The students used their markers/crayons (and creativity) to camouflage their chameleon into the paper, before it became someone’s prey!
I just love how they turned out. Thank you Mrs. Wall and 3rd Grade!
We talked about animals that camouflage and watched a video. We talked about the difference between predator and prey.
We then took white cut outs of chameleons, and glued them onto colorful patterned scrapbook paper. The students used their markers/crayons (and creativity) to camouflage their chameleon into the paper, before it became someone’s prey!
I just love how they turned out. Thank you Mrs. Wall and 3rd Grade!
9/16/21 - 2nd grade classroom
Whoop! I had a busy bunch of 2nd Graders today for STEM! So busy I forgot to take pictures!
We read “Too Many Toys” by David Shannon (He authored the “No, David!” Books). It was all about a boy with oodles of toys…and his favorite toy was a cardboard box! Sometimes the best toys come from our imagination.
We then made pom pom shooters…and 1, 2, 3 LAUNCHED the pom poms into the air!
Thank you Mrs. Lindell and the 2nd Graders. Never stop imagining!!
We read “Too Many Toys” by David Shannon (He authored the “No, David!” Books). It was all about a boy with oodles of toys…and his favorite toy was a cardboard box! Sometimes the best toys come from our imagination.
We then made pom pom shooters…and 1, 2, 3 LAUNCHED the pom poms into the air!
Thank you Mrs. Lindell and the 2nd Graders. Never stop imagining!!
9/14/21 - 1st Grade Classroom
I was pleased to be invited to 1st Grade today!
We designed and built marble runs…This is a fun way to recycle old cardboard into a new-to-us toy!
Ms. Andres and 1st Grade Friends, you are simply marble-ous!!
9/9/21 - 5th Grade Classroom
Today during 5th Grade STEM, we talked about first aid - wrapping and splinting musculoskeletal injuries. We read a story called “Erik’s Unexpected Twist” from the Engineering is Elementary Curriculum. In it, Erik helps his friend Matthias when he sprains his knee on a camping trip.
We then practiced wrapping and splinting each other, as if we had an arm or leg injury. We had some pretty creative splinting, using rulers, books, whatever we could find around us in the room!
Thanks 5th grade and Mrs. Kratochvil- that’s a “WRAP” on our STEM visit!
We then practiced wrapping and splinting each other, as if we had an arm or leg injury. We had some pretty creative splinting, using rulers, books, whatever we could find around us in the room!
Thanks 5th grade and Mrs. Kratochvil- that’s a “WRAP” on our STEM visit!
9/9/21 - 3rd Grade PE
Today I was invited into P.E. Class with the Third Graders for STEM. We talked about the importance of exercise to keep our hearts healthy and strong! We read a story “Hear Your Heart;” we listened to each other’s hearts with our “stethoscopes” (cardboard tubes), before and after exercise; we made a graph on the wall of our favorite exercise (Sports was the clear winner there); and finally, we took turns using Mrs. Ulland’s real stethoscope to listen to our hearts.
Thank you Mr. Sad and the Third Graders- your enthusiasm made my heart happy!
Thank you Mr. Sad and the Third Graders- your enthusiasm made my heart happy!