Have you had a chance to pop in our new Maker Space? Or have you at least been able to peek in through the window and see what's been going on? Mrs. West and Mrs. Simeone have been helping the students with some pretty awesome creative projects. Many teachers and parents have asked me, "Why did you get rid of the computer lab?" Good question. We certainly redesigned the space this summer. We wanted a space where kids could have opportunities to create, collaborate, tinker, build, design, and so much more. It is a place where kids can make things. That could mean using technology or it could mean simply using tape and paper. It's also a place where they can deconstruct things too!
We need to be helping our students develop critical thinking skills. What does that mean? Kids need to be able to be independent thinkers. They need to be reflective. They need to be able to generate ideas, solve problems, be inquisitive, fail and learn, argue a point, think rationally, collaborate with peers...the list could go on and on. All of these skills are definitely not "taught" by sitting in front of a screen, going onto a website or making a presentation. We will still be working on ways to have kids experience keyboarding and using devices, but that won't be done once a week for forty minutes anymore. Students need all of us to help them integrate proper technology use into the classroom environment on a daily basis. When we had technology learning happening mainly in a separate room, a computer lab, we were sending the message that technology learning was separate from what students were learning in the classroom. And that is a message that we definitely do not want to send to any of our students. Technology is a huge part of their world, so we need to make sure it's fully integrated into each child's school day.
I am so excited that our students are going to have the chance to learn critical thinking skills through the projects and activities that they do in MakerSpace this year. Check out some of these video clips from a show called "Think, Make, Innovate." Lots of great ideas for ways we can challenge our students! I can't wait to see all of the new learning that will be happening this year. Maybe soon we will be able to submit our own videos of what we are doing at FloRo!
Watch these kids figure out how to make a durable beanstalk out of newspaper.
Watch this challenge where the students had to use cardboard to make something wearable.
Watch the kids in this challenge create a zip line car that would transport an army man figurine from one place to another.
Currently reading:
Did you get some good new books from the book fair? I did! I was excited to get Katherine Applegate's new book, Wishtree. I pretty much read it in one sitting. Told through the perspective of a tree, this story tackles anti-Muslim bigotry. It's a wonderful and important book to read to kids or let them read and discuss it with them.
I also purchased a picture book written by a favorite author of many, Nancy Tillman. The book is called You're All Kinds of Wonderful and just like her popular On the Night You Were Born, this beautiful book has a wonderful message. This time the message is that we are all unique and we each have our own "bells and whistles."
Another book that I have been reading this past week...to 2nd graders...is called I Am Peace: A Book of Mindfulness. It is a great book for kids and adults to read and remember to take time to be in the here and now and not worry about yesterday or tomorrow. As I have been reading it to 2nd graders, we have been taking some time to close our eyes, sense our surroundings, feel our breathing, and clear our minds. It is awesome...you should try it! And read the book!
Monday - Columbus Day, No School
Tuesday - Curriculum Day, 8:30-9:45 @ PAC for speaker, 10:00-2:30 multi-part or committee work
Thursday - 3rd grade trip to Sturbridge Village
Friday - Elementary half day, 12:15 dismissal, Liz and Melissa @ SLT 8:30-11:00, Science work w/SU @ FR 1:00-3:15, Flu clinic at the Groton Public Library 3:00-6:00
Great things I noticed last week:
- When I popped into Mrs. Pierantozzi's class, I saw writers making plans and trying out some different strategies that they had been talking about, such as showing instead of telling.
- I had fun randomly selecting names from the list of students who wrote to me this summer or at the beginning of the school year. Lots of smiling faces when they were able to pick out a book and put it on my tab!
- Congrats to the 4th graders who were selected to serve as reps for student council! It was a difficult choice with all of the well-planned applications. Looking forward to seeing what great projects the students plan this year.
- When I walked into Mrs. McEvoy's class, I caught the beginning of a discussion about experimenting with beams and fulcrums.
- I heard Ms. McElroy's class doing some math and movement and I couldn't resist stopping in for a visit!
- One week of SPARK tickets and we had just over 200 students visit the office and sign our Wall of Fame!
Check it out:
Check out this Ted Talk titled "Every child deserves a makerspace":
No comments:
Post a Comment