This post is part of my continuing series of weekly lesson summaries. My goal is to give parents and caregivers in our school community the resources needed to extend student learning at home, and to share my professional practice with teacher colleagues around the world in the interest of improving my craft.
Special Area Rotation ending 09/11/13
Primary (K-2)
What we learned/did/explored together:
In primary classes, we focused on a fantastic retelling of the Three Little Pigs. We learned about building materials and resources as we designed and built our own miniature houses to withstand the huff/puff of a Big Bad Wolf. Students explored famous world architecture and attempted to recreate it using the materials we have in STEAM Lab. We took daily field trips to the construction area to see the progress of the College and Career Center at Bullitt East High School. We even got to talk to the Foreman! So cool.
What I observed/inferred/connected:
Children naturally want to build and create. Even with limited resources, children are able to turn a pile of random Lego blocks into a Leaning Tower of Pisa or Chinese pagoda.
What students can do at home:
When you see construction, ask your engineer to discuss why the architect chose particular materials and how the construction relates back to those chosen materials. Every trip to the store, to a restaurant, to a friend's house can be a unique opportunity to connect STEAM Lab learning to the real world.
Intermediate (3-5)
What we learned/did/explored together:
3rd grade students completed our first Engineering is Elementary unit about converting wind energy to mechanical energy (a new third grade class is completing it now - it's a great unit!). 4th and 5th grade students worked on studying flight and, inspired by da Vinci, creating a flying machine.
What I observed/inferred/connected:
The content of the EiE curriculum is great, but the story that gives us context can be a little long. I will work with the regular education teachers to see if I can remedy that - perhaps, they can read it in their classroom before they come to me (that would be perfect - the best use of our brief time together). The windmill that was created is really spectacular. Examples of flying machines are outside our classroom. Stop by and see the result of imagination, inspired by a real life Renaissance person.
What students can do at home:
Continue researching Leonardo daVinci. This artist, engineer, scientist and inventor will continue to be our guiding force in the STEAM Lab. Our goal is to think like the Renaissance men and women did. As progressive as the STEAM Lab idea is, it really is an example of classical education, where all disciplines are interrelated and connected.
Talk about engineering. Talk about the STEAM disciplines whenever you get the chance. Continue to connect our learning in STEAM Lab to the real world so students see that what we're learning really matters.
Special Area Rotation ending 09/11/13
Primary (K-2)
What we learned/did/explored together:
In primary classes, we focused on a fantastic retelling of the Three Little Pigs. We learned about building materials and resources as we designed and built our own miniature houses to withstand the huff/puff of a Big Bad Wolf. Students explored famous world architecture and attempted to recreate it using the materials we have in STEAM Lab. We took daily field trips to the construction area to see the progress of the College and Career Center at Bullitt East High School. We even got to talk to the Foreman! So cool.
What I observed/inferred/connected:
Children naturally want to build and create. Even with limited resources, children are able to turn a pile of random Lego blocks into a Leaning Tower of Pisa or Chinese pagoda.
What students can do at home:
When you see construction, ask your engineer to discuss why the architect chose particular materials and how the construction relates back to those chosen materials. Every trip to the store, to a restaurant, to a friend's house can be a unique opportunity to connect STEAM Lab learning to the real world.
Intermediate (3-5)
What we learned/did/explored together:
3rd grade students completed our first Engineering is Elementary unit about converting wind energy to mechanical energy (a new third grade class is completing it now - it's a great unit!). 4th and 5th grade students worked on studying flight and, inspired by da Vinci, creating a flying machine.
What I observed/inferred/connected:
The content of the EiE curriculum is great, but the story that gives us context can be a little long. I will work with the regular education teachers to see if I can remedy that - perhaps, they can read it in their classroom before they come to me (that would be perfect - the best use of our brief time together). The windmill that was created is really spectacular. Examples of flying machines are outside our classroom. Stop by and see the result of imagination, inspired by a real life Renaissance person.
What students can do at home:
Continue researching Leonardo daVinci. This artist, engineer, scientist and inventor will continue to be our guiding force in the STEAM Lab. Our goal is to think like the Renaissance men and women did. As progressive as the STEAM Lab idea is, it really is an example of classical education, where all disciplines are interrelated and connected.
Talk about engineering. Talk about the STEAM disciplines whenever you get the chance. Continue to connect our learning in STEAM Lab to the real world so students see that what we're learning really matters.