Getting From Point A to Point B by Coding!

Students in grades 1 and 2 were expected to write "code" for Cameron, our high school helper, to get from one area of the classroom to another by traveling on tiles only.  He wanted to get to a water bottle and students had to tell him to turn 90 degrees, walk forward one space, or students even made him hop!  By students writing the "code" for the direction he would take, they learned what it would take for computer programmers to create a game!  They embraced the challenge and became "coders".

Coding Earns a 10!

As 3rd grader, Jane Swenson, worked to "code" the unicorn to meet the wizard, she worked carefully to plan the path the unicorn should take.  Students in 3rd-5th grade STEM Time learned the basics of computer coding using the Mac Lab at the high school.  Students were motivated and engaged as they attempted to create a small part of a computer game path.  

iRead Kick Off at EMS!

The Edgerton Middle School iRead Book Challenge has begun!  Students in grades 6th-8th grade were introduced to the list of books for this year's book competition during their Language Arts classes on Friday.   Students from Edgerton High School were also part of the presentation and their role was to encourage and motivate the middle school students to read the variety of titles on this year's list.  The book lists ranges from wicked, magical titles like Doll Bones written by Holly Black to historical fiction and nonfiction like A Long Walk to Water and Bomb-The Race to Build and Steal the World's Most Dangerous Weapon.  The students will form teams and read books from now until the end of March.  Then the students will be 'put to the test' and team competitions will take place that quiz the students on the plots, settings, characters, and themes of the books.  The Final Four teams will compete the first week of April until a final iRead Champion will emerge!

Investigating STEM Time at Yahara!

A group of 1st through 5th grade students started their investigation into STEM learning today at Yahara School.  They discussed what the acronym STEM represents:  Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.   They shared a variety of ideas that connected to each part of STEM Education.  Their first challenge was to make a egg holder out of 6 Little Tyke interlocking blocks.  The "egg nest" has to carry the egg acrross the gym without falling out.  Each group came up with a different way to create their nest and next week the eggs will be placed in the nests and will go for a ride! More STEM educaiton and activities will be coming soon.......

Astronauts are Landing!

How can marshmellow astronauts and a large marshmellow payload land softly on the moon without causing any damage to themselves?  This was the problem that a group of first and second grade STEM students had to solve today.  After talking about how different space crafts  are expected to land softly on asteroids, the students were given the challenge to create a space vehicle that will hold 2 mini marshmellow astronauts and a large marshmellow payload.  The vehicle must land softly after being dropped from 7 feet onto a target on the floor.  The voyage or landing must not hurt or damage the astronauts or the payload.   After brainstorming ideas madn, the student began constructing their space vehicles and a few test runs were completed.  With each test run, new learning will occur and adjustments will be  made.  More test runs will be completed next week......we will keep you posted!

Smart Kid Authors and Illustrators

A group of second and third grade TAG Time students are proud to say they have written and illustrated their FIRST book!  It is entitled, The A B Cs of Kindness.  One other student also wrote her own book entitled, A B C, 1 2 3, Kindness Words for You and Me.  These stories were written in connection with October being Anti Bullying Month.   The student auuthors are Anthony Vitaioli, Juliet Aleson, Samantha Aleson, Drew Gunderson, Jillian Scharlau, and Alyssa Kosmicki.  I am proud of these student for creating and writing their own book!

Newbery News

Newbery Award Winning books are known to be a collection of some of the best chapter books for young readers.  A group of 4th and 5th grade students had the opportunity to chose one Newbery book to read during their TAG Time.   After they read the book, they each created a poster with a QR code that links their audience to a website that is connected to the plot, setting, or author of the book they read. Kate Fox Gunderson even created her own website about the award winning book she read and  'linked' the  readers to her own website!  A great way for students to advertise entertaining books to each other!