K-5 Launch PLTW happenings at Belleville School

K-5 Project Lead the Way Updates

Julia Xistris, K-5 Launch Lead Teacher

Kindergarten-5th grade students have made amazing academic growth during the computer science and biomedical modules of Project Lead the Way. There was an emphasis on collaborative learning while simultaneously being independent learners. Students work with partners, or in small groups, as they problem solve and work through the inquiry-based activities.

Kindergarten: Animals and Algorithms: Our Kindergarten students were introduced to programming by playing an Animal Maze Game, designed to teach students how to write a basic set of instructions similar to coding a computer program. Students then applied their knowledge as they create their own animations on the iPad using Scratch Jr.

First grade: Animal Adaptations: Students learn what it means for an organism to be adapted to its environment as they explore animal adaptations for protection, camouflage, food obtainment, and locomotion.
2nd grade: Grids and Games: After learning how to “speak code” using Rosie’s Runtime Game, students were introduced to Scratch Jr. on the iPad. They learn how to make characters move, interact, change size, and much more! Students began creating code by attempting to solving programming challenges.                                                
3rd grade: Variations of Traits: Students investigate the differences between inherited genetic traits and traits learned or influenced by the environment. As they explore, they discovered that offspring may appear to have different traits than parents as they learn about dominant and recessive genes.
4th grade: Input/Output-The Human Brain: In this cycle, the students learned about the regions of the brain and how each region relates to specific functions in the body, and about the nervous system and neurons, and how they connect and work with the brain. Students then completed a clay model of the brain, tested their five senses, and their memory and reaction time.
5th grade: Infection: Modeling and Simulation: In this module, students investigate models and simulations and discover powerful ideas about computing. look to model an infectious disease to simulate how an illness spread through their class. Applying their new understandings, students program their own models and run simulations with different parameters.

                                                                                                                       

May 4, 2017

Belleville Schools Celebrates STEM Week

Photo courtesy of Abby Beyerl

Intermediate School students learn about the scientific method and engineering design process as they prepare for the Science Fair.

The Belleville Elementary and Intermediate Schools are celebrating STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math) the first week of May. This special week highlights STEM activities for students to engage in and align with the district's Project Lead the Way (PLTW) initiative. Through PLTW, 2nd-6th-grade students have been studying the scientific method and engineering design process. This type of learning builds strong background knowledge for these students and gives them the confidence to try new things and work collaboratively.

On Monday, May 1st, Civil/Environmental Engineer, and Belleville parent, Cathy Wunderlich, met with students and shared her experience working for the DNR. She explained her role overseeing the state's public drinking water systems and how they meet the state requirements.

On Tuesday, May 2nd, students enjoyed a visit from the author of The Toy and the Twister, Gillian King-Cargile. In her book, she shows students how understanding science can help them solve real-world problems, just like they are learning to do in their PLTW classes.

On Wednesday, May 3rd, students enjoyed reading STEM books in both print and online.

Thursday, May 4th, is the Science Fair! With over 70 students participating and community businesses Hometown Pharmacy and Belleville Clinic attending, it is sure to be a fabulous event. The Science Fair begins at 6:00 p.m. and Physics Experience will also have a performance at 7:00 p.m. Family and community members are invited to attend. A Buy-One-Get-One-Free Book Fair will also be occurring at the same time, plus attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a scavenger hunt for prizes.

The week culminates with Pi(e) Day on Friday, May 5th, as a PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports) celebration day. Students earn rewards by demonstrating safe, respectful and responsible behavior. This month two winning classrooms have the opportunity to pie a teacher in the face! A fun and exciting way to end their STEM celebration week.

The School District of Belleville hopes to instill a love for learning in students and a passion for science, technology, engineering, and math by celebrating the power of STEM. Students will continue to engage in exciting opportunities as Project Lead the Way is further implemented in their classrooms.

Second and third graders follow the Engineering Design Process as they created in the STEM Lab this week.

The Intermediate School students reviewed the Engineering Design Process and the Scientific Inquiry Process with Mrs.Ogodogu, Mrs. Xistris and Mrs. Killerlain as they prepare for the IS Science Fair on May 4, 2017.

We Will Gladly Accept Any Legos!

The Intermediate School is trying to add to our Lego collection that is used in the Library and STEM Lab. The Legos will be used for students creativity, collaboration, and creation!

Donate Legos for a chance to win a $20 gift certificate at the Book Fair! We appreciate any donations you can provide!

STEM and Using the Engineering Design Process!

This week second graders used the Engineering Design Process during Tech Class to create a leprechaun trap. They collaborated, communicated and created as they figured out ways to outsmart and trap those little leprechauns!

                                   

K-5 Project Lead the Way Updates

Technology Class has a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) focus. This year the biomedical and computer science modules of Project Lead the Way are taught during Technology Class. Next year, the computer science module will continue to be taught during Technology Class and the biomedical module will be taught by the classroom teachers during their content time.

In the Elementary School, the kindergarteners recently began learning about the human body during the biomedical module…….

And the first graders started with the computer science module. The first graders are creating using the Scratch Jr. coding App.

At the Intermediate School, the second graders are finishing about learning about erosion and landslides. The third and fourth graders continue to create during the computer science module. The fifth graders are finishing up their biomedical module that relates to the prevention of the spread of diseases and germs.

Recap of Project Lead the Way in Grades K-5

Kindergarteners are studying the structure and function of the

human body during the PLTW biomedical module:

1st graders are learning to code on Scratch Jr. They will be

creating their own animated stories:

2nd graders follow the Engineering Design Process to solve
the problem of preventing a landslide from destroying the
houses in a town at the bottom of a hill:

3rd graders started coding “unplugged” and now they are

beginning to create a game using Hopscotch:

4th graders enjoy coding their own Alien Game with Tynker

during the PLTW computer science module:

5th graders are "infection detectives" during their biomedical module:

Using Padlet for Closure

Closure is one of the most important components of a good quality lesson. Unfortunately, it is a component that often gets left out due to time restraints. Today during staff professional development our Library Media Specialist and Tech Integrator, Kiley Ogodogu, showed the teachers examples of using technology for lesson closure activities. Padlet was on the top of the list. I use Padlet in my technology class for grades 2-5. Students enjoy collaborating. They also enjoy reading each other’s posts. I recommend Padlet for a lesson closure activity. I have also used it as a closure activity while leading PD for staff.

                               An example of a 4th grade Padlet.

Inquiry based learning with PLTW

Belleville students are working through activities in Project Lead the Way. The 5th grade students are working through the biomedical module Infection Detection, as they are learning how easily germs are spread through physical contact. They followed the scientific inquiry process to investigate the best way to prevent the spread of germs at school. The 4th graders are working through the computer science module Input/Output: Computer Systems, as they are explore how computers work and make analogies between the parts of the human body and parts that make up a computer. 3rd graders work through the activities in the computer science module Programming Patterns starting with computer-free activities. In 2nd grade students students work through the biomedical module the Changing Earth. Students are exploring how the surface of the Earth is always changing. They are exploring different types of maps. and how these maps give us information about the world, including where water is found on Earth. Students are enjoying the hands-on inquiry based activities.

3rd graders learning about programming patterns

3rd graders coding unplugged