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

Hour of Code

We celebrated the Hour of Code in grades K-6!