Spheros

The Oak Grove faculty was introduced to the school’s Makerspace at the faculty meeting last week. The project is still in the setup and learning phase, especially with the large influx of materials coming in. Part of my role in the project is to learn to use the new equipment and to explore uses for it that align with curriculum and STEM principles. The first piece of equipment that I’d like to introduce is our set of 5 Spheros. These are robotic balls that can be controlled and programed with iPad apps. They are great for real-life application of math skills, especially problem solving. One app, Drive N’ Draw, is a very simple app that can be used by younger students (even K and 1) with ease. Another app, Macrolab, allows older students to write simple programs that make the balls move in different directions, at different speeds, and with different colors. Changing speeds and colors requires division and percentages, and creating shapes allows students to practice lines and angles and other geometric principles. There’s a lot of math involved, and is appropriate for 4th and 5th graders. You can learn more here: http://www.gosphero.com/education/ 

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3D Printed Ornament Challenge

Fourth Graders at Oak Grove Elementary participated in the White House’s 3D Printed Ornament Challenge.  Check out the description of the contest:

When you’ve got a big house to decorate for the holidays, advanced planning is wise. So naturally, the White House is already thinking about this year’s holiday decor, and we’re going to help them deck their halls. Instructables is excited to partner with the Smithsonian and the White House in this 3D Printed Ornament Challenge. Some of the winners of this challenge will have their work printed and hung in the East Wing of the White House during the holiday season. Additionally, those selected to be displayed at the White House will be featured on the Smithsonian’s state of the art 3D data platform, 3d.si.edu and will join a small collection of White House ornaments in the political history division of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.

Check out our students’ Instructables and pictures which document the process from start to finish!

Click here to see the USA Holiday Ornament Instructable

Click here to see the O’ America the Beatiful Flag Instructable

 

 

Spookely STEM Project

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Kindergarteners in Mrs. Kelley’s class created pumpkins (with moving parts) after listening to the story, Spookley the Square Pumpkin.   Then students used the app, Story Kit, to take their own picture and record their voices naming and describing their pumpkin.

Their final creations are below!  Turn up your volume and take a listen!

Table 1

Table 2

Table 3

Table 4

Hack-O-Lanterns

2nd graders created motion activated “Hack-O-Lanterns” using Little Bits and basic circuit/robotic skills in the Oak Grove Makerspace. They light up when someone walks by!

Check them out in action below:

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Batty Books

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Students in Second grade reading classes created Bat Books after reading and researching bats. They used the app Book Creator.  This app allowed them to add text, pictures, and audio to their books.  They really did a very nice job!

There are two versions of each book: epub and pdf.  The epub can be downloaded and read in iBooks (on an iPad or iPhone/iPod Touch) or any other ebook reader.  You will even be able to hear your child read!  The pdf can be downloaded on a computer and printed.  Check them out below!

Mrs. Boone’s Reading Class

Mrs. Vest’s Reading Class

Mrs. Clark’s Reading Class

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Cross posted on the Clearbrook Digital Archive.

Moon Stop Motion

Check out the Moon Stop Motion videos third graders created!  They used the app iMotion HD.

 View them all here:

Moon Stop Motion — Weikle

Moon Stop Motion — Ryder

Moon Stop Motion — Moretz

Mr. Ryder’s class also created Pic Collages to show the phases of the moon.

Cross Posted on the Oak Grove Digital Archive.

Butterfly Life Cycle Books

Students in Mrs. Wiggington and Mrs. Allen’s classes created Butterfly Life Cycle Digital Books after they hatched classroom butterflies.  They used the app Book Creator.  This app allowed them to add text, pictures, and audio to their books.  They really did a very nice job! You can listen to them read their stories here:

Mrs. Allen’s Class

Mrs. Wiggington’s Class

There are two versions of each book: epub and pdf.  The epub can be downloaded and read in iBooks (on an iPad or iPhone/iPod Touch) or any other ebook reader.  The pdf can be downloaded on a computer and printed.  Check them out below!

Mrs. Allen’s Class

Mrs. Wiggington’s Class

Cross posted on the Oak Grove Digital Library.