Learning is fun!
Posted in fifth grade, and STEM
Last week in the Jackson Library, Ms. Shearman’s class constructed balloon cars. They were given 20 popsicle sticks, a balloon, 8 rubber bands, and 4 LifeSavers mints. They had to work as a group to construct a 2-wheel or 4-wheel car. Check out the fun results!
Posted in fifth grade, fourth grade, and STEM
Fourth and fifth graders problem-solved as they constructed catapults in the Jackson Library last week and this week. The groups were all given 20 popsicle sticks, 7 thick rubber bands, a plastic spoon, a pom pom, and these instructions. They were not required to use the instruction sheet; it was just a guide. After about 12 minutes, they tested their catapult (3 tries), and then went to the tables to redesign for about 5 more minutes. Finally, they launched their catapults again. It was interesting to see the improvements they made the second time around!
Buggy and Buddy Catapult Instructions
Posted in first grade, holiday, and STEM
Last week in the Jackson Library, first graders competed in groups in a Minute to Win It style game. After discussing bridges and building a sample model with mirror cubes, the kids had to devise a plan to create a bridge-like structure made from only pennies. They had to use all of the 30 pennies in the bag and they had to be able to slide a pencil underneath the bridge. After the challenge, they discussed how they would improve their bridge next time re-vamped their designs.
Potatoes and Cabbage song
Posted in book clubs, fourth grade, and STEM
This morning at 7:00 am, the 4th grade Secret of the Fortune Wookiee book club played a Kahoot review game, solved a Murky crossword puzzle, and created light saber cards! The materials you need are: template for card (below on the Left Brain Craft Brain site), 5 mm LED 2 prong mini lights, coin cell batteries , red straws (Wal-Mart), scissors, and tape. I already had the lights from this kit I purchased a while back. For the circuit cards, I prefer the Chibitronics LED sticker paper circuit kits. First, fold the cardstock and poke the prongs of the LED light through right at the top of the light saber hilt. Then cut a piece of straw (start out longer) and slide the straw on top of the LED light. Then tape the coin cell battery to the back, making sure there is a prong per side. This part took some fiddling to get right. Then cut the straw as needed. We found a longer straw made the light look more light-saber-ish.
Template and How-To from:
Another interesting idea found here.
