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Kindergarten- |
| | After listening to Jack and the Beanstalk, the students retold key parts of the story. As an introduction to the design process, the students used pipe cleaners to create the tallest model of a beanstalk possible. After comparing the heights of the beanstalk models, the students tested the strength of the stalk by adding a golden egg to the top. The students reviewed the terms: structure and function. They were introduced to the Design Process and evaluation. |
2nd Grade-Pixel Pictures (cont.)
The students learned that pixels are minute area of illumination on a display screen and that when they are placed strategically, they create the images we see. After creating our own pixel pictures, we uploaded a snapshot to a Google Doc.
3rd Grade-Speedometry 2
| Students began to explore how to increase the potential and kinetic energy of their Hot Wheels cars by building ramps. Students determined that the slope of the ramp determines how far the car will travel. | |
4th Grade-Maze: Sequence
Navigating to and within code.org, joining our Code class, and beginning Course 1 were the focus of this cycle. While completing a series of online puzzles, the students built on their understanding of algorithms. Students developed sequential algorithms with familiar characters from Angry Birds.
5th Grade-Build a Block Tower
| | Working in groups, the students built the tallest Minecraft tower possible using the materials provided (paper blocks, scissors, and tape) and a time constraint. |
Kindergarten-Build a Beanstalk
| After listening to Jack and the Beanstalk, the students retold key parts of the story. As an introduction to the design process, the students used pipe cleaners to create the tallest model of a beanstalk possible. After comparing the heights of the beanstalk models, the students tested the strength of the stalk by adding a golden egg to the top. The students reviewed the terms: structure and function. They were introduced to the Design Process and evaluation. | |
1st Grade-Structure & Function: Exploring Design
The students learned about the terms structure and function. They identified the difference between structure and function while observing objects around the classroom. They began the design process by sketching the structure of objects based on the function.
2nd Grade-Pixel Pictures
| | The students learned that pixels are minute area of illumination on a display screen and that when they are placed strategically, they create the images we see. After creating our own pixel pictures, we uploaded a snapshot to a Google Doc. |
3rd Grade-Speedometry 1
| Students will begin to explore how to increase the potential and kinetic energy of their Hot Wheels cars by building ramps. In this introductory lesson, students will have a long track and limited constraints to see how far they can make the cars travel. | |
4th Grade-Move It! Move It!
| | The students learned the term “Algorithm” and built a foundation for future coding lessons. This lesson helped students realize that in order to give clear instructions, they need a common language. Students practiced controlling one another using a simple combination of hand gestures. Once they understood the language, they began to "program" one another by giving multiple instructions in advance. |
5th Grade-Create a Creeper
Students constructed a Minecraft Creeper using paper, scissors, and tape in the shortest amount of time. Creepers were judged for their accuracy after everyone completed the challenge.
Kindergarten-Structure & Function: Exploring Design-Activity 1
| The students learned about the terms structure and function. They identified the difference between structure and function while observing objects around the classroom. They began the design process by sketching the structure of objects based on the function. | |
1st Grade-Adapt Like an Animal
| | Using the information we have gathered from the unit, students learned about different countries by observing photographs and watching a short video in a Keynote presentation to determine what they would need if they were traveling to that country. |
2nd Grade-Keyboarding: Home Row
Keyboarding skills will become an essential skill for the students as they use the computers for lessons, creating documents, and taking statewide tests. We began by learning about the home row and practiced utilizing the home row for typing. We practiced using Dance Mat Typing, Frog Diet, and Keyboard Climber,
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3rd Grade-Parachute Down
In teams, students used supplies to design and build a parachute for a plastic container. The parachute needed to safely float the package to the ground without crashing as close to the “drop zone” as possible. The students answered the question: How could we safely deliver a package to an area without leaving the air?
4th Grade-Mystery Science: Survive a Landslide
The students brainstormed in teams to generate creative ideas for protecting a fictional home from a landslide. They learned about the types, causes and dangers of landslides.
5th Grade-Nitrotype
Students used the online typing game NitroType and raced to practice typing skills. They recorded the words per minute and accuracy of 5 races, then using the calculator on their computers, determined the average score of the 5 races.
Mrs. Totten, Mrs. Akins, and I went to Indianapolis to explore a possible STEAM curriculum. We were trained to teach and use Project Lead the Way lessons.
- "Project Lead The Way provides transformative learning experiences for K-12 students and teachers across the U.S. We create an engaging, hands-on classroom environment and empower students to develop in-demand knowledge and skills they need to thrive. We also provide teachers with the training, resources, and support they need to engage students in real-world learning" (pltw.org).
Kindergarten & 1st Grade-STEAM Bins
| | Using the STEAM Bins and task cards, the students created structures using the materials found in the bins. Each group of students had a bin that included materials like pipe cleaners, dominoes, Play-Doh, craft sticks, paper cards, base-ten blocks, tangrams, Unifix cubes, and Legos to explore and create. |
2nd Grade-Roll an Autumn Leaf
| The students created an autumn leaf by rolling the dice and following the pattern sequence for each section. |  |
3rd Grade-Roll a Hot Air Balloon
 | The students created a hot air balloon by rolling the dice and following the pattern sequence for each section. |
4th Grade-Nitrotype
The students used the online typing game NitroType and raced to practice typing skills. They recorded the words per minute and accuracy of 4 races, then used the calculator on their computers to determine the average score of the 4 races.
5th Grade-Final day of Coding
| This was our final day of coding. The students used Khan Academy and participated in “The Hour of Code” mission learning how to draw shapes using code. Students learned new concepts using a talk-through, doing step-by-step challenges to practice newly learned concepts, and worked on a project to get more practice and be more creative with the skills learned. |  |
Jamestown Elementary
Welcome to the STEAM Studio Blog for Jamestown Upper & Lower Elementary Schools in Hudsonville, MI. Here you will find the latest projects and concepts we've been working on in class.
Ms. Baker
comes to Hudsonville with 17 years of teaching information and technology skills to elementary students. After earning a BA in Elementary Education at the University of Northern Iowa and a Master’s degree from the University of Iowa in 2000, she drew a circle on the map and chose Southwest Michigan.
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