This year it is Full Steam Ahead in the technology lab.  Being a technology lab, the T is covered.  I attended a workshop at the Region 7 Service Center this summer on STEM and discovered lots of resources for incorporating engineering in to my lab.  Art is a big part of the MakerSpace aspect of the computer lab in addition to the students having access to Art for Kids Hub during free time.  I plan to explore more content in the areas of Science and Math while covering some of the Technology TEKS for grades 3-5.

While sitting in on a training for Math and Science teachers on my campus, I learned about a website called WordWall.  This site contains 18 templates for creating teacher resources.  Below is an image of the templates that are available on the site.

There is a free account that allows teachers to create up to 5 resources.  The paid options are listed below.

There is also a bank of activities created by others. The activity below was pulled from the community resource. Most of the activities can be easily embedded or students could be sent the link to the activity.

Monday, April 18th was a school holiday and April 26-28 were field days for 3rd, 4th and 5th grade, respectively.

5th Grade – Students contributed to a Google Slide presentation for each class called So Long 5th Grade.  The slideshows are posted below:

4th Grade – Students answered the quiz questions together in this quiz over polygons and symmetry.

 

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/16ZY65QgyPIcS5ilA-Dmam_wullmc8ZEqnD26kKSr92M/copy 

You can get a copy by clicking on the link above.

3rd Grade – Students reviewed the video called ROW Your Site (embedded below).  Students then practiced the concept of summarizing content in their own words and giving credit by citing their source by researching a topic in Facts4Me, screen capturing one image to post to their blog with their summary and then citing their source.  Several examples are shown below.

5th Grade – Students completed the assignment in Sphero EDU called Blocks 1.  Students used the block code to create a program that instructed their Sphero Bolt to roll in the shape of a square.  Students then experimented with changing the code to roll in different shapes.  They also added sounds and lights to their programs.

4th Grade – Students reviewed characteristics of triangles and polygons by engaging with the slideshow below.  Students moved the characteristic listed on the right to the left if it applied to that shape.  To get a copy of the slideshow below, click on this link: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Kwff8jG5RwzsPjyAZ9ii_SSFmuMHvZ0JT5gWWHQolPU/copy

3rd Grade – Students took their Web License Quiz to earn their Web License.

5th Grade – Students continued coding using Sphero Bolt.

4th Grade – Students completed the Draw and Label slides assigned in Google Classroom in preparation for reviewing the characteristics of two dimensional shapes.

3rd Grade – Students completed the review for their Web License Test using Kahoot.

 

5th Grade – Students continued learning about programming by completing the activity in Sphero Edu called Blocks 1.  Students used block coding to have the Sphero Bolt roll in a square.  They then added lights and sound to their program.

4th Grade – Students completed the newly designed Lines, Ray, and Angles slides assigned through Google Classroom.

3rd Grade – Students completed the second section of review for their web license using Kahoot.

 

5th Grade – Students continued learning to code the Sphero Bolt by completing the activity called Blocks 1.  Using the coding blocks, students programmed their Bolt to roll in a square. Students were encouraged to add lights and sound programming blocks to their program.

4th Grade – After having students complete the Draw and Label slides using the shape, line, and text tools in Google Slides, I was concerned the struggle they were obviously having with the assignment could be due to the struggles with manipulating the tools.  I assigned a redesigned slideshow where the point, line segment, line, and labeling letters were provided. Students just needed to copy and paste the provided elements to complete the slides.  It turns out most students were successful completing the Draw and Label slides when those elements were provided.

3rd Grade – Students began reviewing for their Web License Test using Kahoot.

5th Grade – Students were introduced to coding using Sphero Bolt.  Students accessed the Sphero Bolt application on the macbook desktop and completed the activity called Introduction to Sphero Bolt.  Students then connected their assigned Bolt to their laptop to control the Bolt through a bluetooth connection.

4th Grade – Students reviewed the building blocks for two dimensional shapes through this slideshow in Google Slides. Students had access to their own copy through Google Classroom. Students completed the “Draw and Label” slides using the shape, line, and text tool in the tool bar.

3rd Grade – Students watched the two videos below to understand the dangers of cyberbullying.

They posted the image below to their blog.

5th Grade – Students continued learning to code in Scratch.  Students logged in and clicked on the tutorials.  Students chose an activity they wanted to learn and watched the tutorial to create the program.  Students shared their project to the class studio in Scratch.  Below are a few examples of programs students created.

 

Grade 4 – Students created a unique symmetrical drawing using Tuxpaint or Silk on their computer. Students screen capture their drawing and pulled it up in preview mode.  Using the line tool, students drew lines of symmetry on their drawing.  Students were encouraged to post the image to their blog.  Here are some student creations:

3rd Grade – Third graders went to the cafeteria during all enhancements this week to practice their musical, “Arf.”

5th Grade – Students worked on incomplete assignments, including Typing Club and their Animate a Name program in Scratch.

4th Grade – Students were introduced to the term “Symmetry” through two clips from Odd Squad and another video that demonstrated the definition of vertical and horizontal symmetry. Students then clicked on a google spreadsheet where they determined whether each capital letter of the alphabet had vertical and/or horizontal symmetry. The spreadsheet is self correcting.  If the correct answer is typed, the cell turns green.  If not, it turns red.  Below are the videos students watch.

Click on the image below to get a copy of the google sheet the students used to assess their understanding of vertical and horizontal symmetry.

3rd Grade – Students posted their HPCF acronym creations to their blog. Here are a few examples: