Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Pourquoi?


Pourquoi means "Why?" in French.

Pourquoi stories have been around as folktales for many years dating back to the Native Americans. Mrs. Burke's third grade class worked hard to create their own, original Pourquoi tales. Using the app Book Creator, students wrote the tale and then using the app Drawing Pad, students illustrated their tale. As an added challenge students also added sound to their story.
 Each story was written to answer the "why" or "how" questions about animals.


You may download these delightful pourquoi tales to a digital device or open as a pdf.

Option 1: Click on the title, download, and Open either in Book Creator or iBooks on a digital device.



Option 2: Click on PDF and Open as a pdf.  The sound will not work in a pdf format.







Friday, February 6, 2015

Know Atom Stem Project

KnowAtom offers schools science, engineering and technology curriculum that addresses their state standards and excites elementary students Pre-K through Grade 6 with inquiry-based lessons and activities. I have had the pleasure of meeting Francis Vigeant, the founder and CEO of KnowAtom at various STEM workshops I have attended.
In early January Know Atom sent out an email looking for teachers to try one of their science kits for FREE!  Mrs. Boucher signed up and received a complete kit for Elementary Electric Cars.

The Gelfand Family Charitable Trust made it possible to give 200 classrooms across grades 1-8 in the United States free projects to test.

The Big Picture: STEM Transforms Lives

The Gelfand Global STEM Ambassador Program is an opportunity to use STEM education as a bridge between communities that share a desire to transform children’s lives by putting them in the role of scientists and engineers, helping develop skills such as problem-solving and critical thinking. These skills are vital tools of innovation and opportunity for students everywhere, in every field.

The first schools to receive specialized KnowAtom training and projects will be around Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, where hundreds of thousands of displaced people are now living as a result of conflict in the region. These local schools are welcoming the displaced children, sharing what resources they have and providing much-needed hope for life after conflict.

The U.S. government and other aid partners, including IsraAID, have been helping to provide for basic human needs in the region. However, amid this backdrop of war and displacement, it is essential that students, both local and those displaced by conflict, continue to advance their education.


Enjoy the video below as her class builds and races their new cars through the halls of Proctor School.



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Thursday, February 5, 2015

What is a Fairy Tale?

The first graders in Mrs. Hancock's class have been studying the genre of Fairy Tales.  They compared and contrasted the elements of fairy tales while reading multiple books.  After brainstorming the characteristics of fairy tales they decided to share their new knowledge. 

Students wrote a script for their project.

Using the app Green Screen by Doink students recorded the elements that are found in fairy tales.

Students are ready to learn about the green screen.

Click on the picture below to see the finished project.




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Wednesday, February 4, 2015

The Water Cycle

The Tri Town Tech Talk Committee has challenged participants to use their creative talents and produce a product after attending one or more workshops offered after school.
Mrs Puglisi, a second grade teacher from Cole School in Boxford, spent time using Prezi to help her students learn about the water cycle.  She has embedded videos, as well as books into her presentation.
Click on the Prezi below to view her work.  Use the arrows to scroll through all sections.



Earth and Space Science, Grades PreK–2

Earth’s Materials
1. Recognize that water, rocks, soil, and living organisms are found on the earth’s surface.
Walk around the playground observing and discussing where water, rocks, soil, and living organisms are found.
Identify characteristics shared by naturally occurring rocks and manmade concrete. (T/E 1.1)

The Weather
1. Describe the weather changes from day to day and over the seasons.
Keep a class weather chart indicating daily temperature, how windy it is, which direction wind is blowing (use visual clues), and kind of precipitation, if any.
Design and build a tool that could be used to show wind direction (wind sock). (T/E 1.3)

The Sun as a Source of Light and Heat
1. Recognize that the sun supplies heat and light to the earth and is necessary for life.
Record the time of day when the sun shines in different school locations and note patterns.
Design a shade for the window to keep the room cool in the summer or to keep the sun out for television viewing. (T/E 1.1, 1.3)

Periodic Phenomena
1. Identify some events around us that have repeating patterns, including the seasons of the year, day and night.
Make a list of things seen outdoors and in the sky during the day. Make another list of things seen outdoors and in the sky at night. Discuss the differences between the day and night lists.
Use a thermometer to record the temperature from morning to noon over several weeks and discuss any patterns that emerge. (T/E 2.1)



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