Innovation and Inspiration

A few days ago, I had the opportunity to work with Ashley Watson and Amanda Ballinger's third grade classes at Capri and Castlemont.  After reading the book Rainschool , as part of their Engage NY ELA curriculum, we brainstormed an engineering project that would extend student learning.  In the story, the rain washes away a school in Chad every summer.  The students and teachers there must work together every summer to rebuild their school.  So using the engineering design process, we had students build a waterproof school using a plastic cup and materials we found outside.  Students first asked questions about the project and imagined the different building possibilities. After that, we gave each team a plastic cup, that would be the base of their "school".  We then went outside to gather the materials that students and teachers might have been able to collect in Chad.  One big question was whether or not trash was allowed.  We discussed t...

I had the privilege of visiting Christa Norum's 5th grade classroom at Castlemont last week.  She was introducing her class to the Language of the Discipline (Depth and Complexity) Icons.  While reading the book Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh , Christa challenged her class to look for specific words and tools for biologists and neurologists. Once students found a specific academic vocabulary word, they posted the word on Padlet with a quotation and picture.  What a great way to have the students actively search for vocabulary words in an authentic way!  You can view their Padlet here: http://padlet.com/cnorum/FrisbyLoD

The Global Cardboard Challenge is making its way through CUSD!  After learning about Caine's Arcade, kids all over the world are designing and building games and other creations from cardboard, recycled materials, and their imaginations.  Students are planning and building their cardboard creations using the engineering design process.  Through this challenge, they will also be using their creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and communication skills.  Follow our adventures on the Campbell Cardboard Challenge Blog: http://campbellcardboard.blogspot.com/

This past weekend, I created a Symbaloo of different STEAM resources for teachers to use.  Symbaloo is a visual bookmarking tool that allows you to save your favorite websites.  If you click on an icon, it will take you directly to that website.  I really liked that it is fairly easy to use and that I can now see all of my websites in a more visual way.  You can also view the Symbaloos that other people have made on different topics on anything from weather to gardening! http://www.symbaloo.com/mix/?q=symbaloo You can view the STEAM Symbaloo here:  http://www.symbaloo.com/mix/steameducation1

I love helping the 5th graders at Forest Hill with their STEAM projects!  Amanda Haughs' class has been learning about extreme weather in their Engage NY ELA unit.  They were particularly in the process of learning about Hurricanes last week, so Amanda wanted to tie in Hurricane Katrina and levees.  Students were asked to read an article on levees for homework and to come to class prepared to discuss how levees work and their connection to hurricanes. Students were then given the task of designing a levee with their group.  Each group of "levee engineers" were given $10 of play money to purchase supplies.  They were also able to select 2 materials to test with water ahead of time.  Once students decided on their materials, they were able to purchase them at the store. Students then prototyped their ideas, using a plastic tub to represent the town.  It was great seeing how resourceful the students were with their materials, even u...

As part of their Engage NY Math, first graders at Forest Hill were busy learning about addition word problems.  To extend their new learning, we had the students write their own word problem and explain how to solve it.  In Siobhan Schubert's class, we had students write their word problem on paper and then use the iPad to take a picture of it.  Students then used the app Explain Everything to solve the problem and record their explanation. In Tina Lee's class, we tried having the students type their word problem.  Most of them did very well, but it was a little more challenging.  It was a great day to practice trying something new and perseverance!

Below is an Infographic that I created on Piktochart on why STEAM education is important: