It's time to clear the pumpkin patch...

Our gifted 3rd-grade classes took on an exciting STEM challenge just in time for fall! Students were tasked with engineering a tool capable of picking up as many candy pumpkins as possible in a single "swipe."

The rules were strict: students could not touch the candy pumpkins with their hands during the challenge. The goal was for teams to clear the "pumpkin patch" in the fewest attempts possible, promoting efficient and creative design solutions.

It was incredible to watch these young engineers problem-solve and collaborate. From intricate claw mechanisms to wide-sweeping collection devices, each team developed a unique approach. The classroom was abuzz with critical thinking, trial and error, and joyous success as they tested their prototypes.

Congratulations to all our brilliant inventors on a job well done! 

S'mores with an alien?

Last week we finished our short space unit by teaching an alien how to make a snack!

First, students used a toilet paper roll and other art supplies to create an alien friend. Next, students were tasked with writing a set of easy-to-understand directions for making a chosen snack (s'more or pizza roll up). "Procedural writing" is actually quite difficult! Missing even small details can leave the one reading the directions confused. Students had to break down the steps necessary to make their snack and think of how to communicate those steps in the clearest way possible. The goal was to write directions so easy to understand that even an alien could follow them. We then set up our alien friends and, one at a time, I began reading the directions each student wrote. Students then made their snack according to the steps in their directions. There were some hiccups along the way, but the corrections were all in fun. This activity is a fun way to put a spin on an important writing skill!

The longest paper chain challenge...

Our gifted 3rd graders recently took on a fun, yet tricky, challenge: make the longest paper chain possible using just one sheet of paper and some tape. It sounds simple, right?

The students quickly realized that cutting traditional loops wouldn't produce the length they envisioned. This challenge required serious critical thinking, problem-solving, and a touch of engineering magic!

They brainstormed, experimented, and collaborated to find innovative ways to maximize every millimeter of their single sheet of paper. The room buzzed with excitement and ingenuity!

The results were phenomenal, with some groups creating chains that stretched to great lengths. It was incredible to see their teamwork and creative problem-solving in action.

This project was a fantastic reminder that a simple piece of paper can lead to monumental learning experiences when you encourage students to think outside the lines! They truly demonstrated the power of ingenuity and collaboration.

Astronaut pics :) AND our paper mache planets: GUIDRY'S HOMEROOM

  We added a personalized astronaut picture to the students' planet "smoosh" paintings. They turned out so cute! And if you compare their paper mache planet to their painting...they did such a good job of re-creating the proper details of their assigned planet. Kudos to these kiddos!!

Astronaut pics :) AND our paper mache planets: BOND'S HOMEROOM

  We added a personalized astronaut picture to the students' planet "smoosh" paintings. They turned out so cute! And if you compare their paper mache planet to their painting...they did such a good job of re-creating the proper details of their assigned planet. Kudos to these kiddos!!