Where's Rube Goldberg?

If you would have traveled through the Tech. Ed. Hallway at Edgerton High School this morning you may have noticed some 3rd-5th grade students trying to model a Rube Goldberg machine.  Students have been given the challenge to build a compound machine that will send a tennis ball traveling at least one meter horizontally or vertically.   Students are using materials all the way from string and cardboard to paper cups and PVC pipe.   In the next couple of weeks students will put their machines to the test and see how far that little tennis ball will  travel!

Creating NEW by using OLD!

Today during STEM Time at the high school, a small group of creative and willing first and second graders rolled up their sleeves and looked at  recyclable  items in a different way  After making a plan and discussing ideas with their partners, they created a new use for many items that we would recycle or throw away.   They taped. glued, poked holes, and fastened items together with pipe cleaners to invent creations that will be on display after next week.   Mr. Mink and I are proud of all the students for thinking "out of the box" and taking a risk with their learning!

Terry Wooten WOWS Middle School students

A group of middle school students had the opportunity to be entertained this afternoon with story telling and poetry recitiation.  Terry Wooden, a nationally known  poet and story teller, presented at the EPAC to over seventy middle school students.  They listended to stories ranging from being three years old and thinking a turtle was a moving rock all the way to the adventures of a first kiss.  The students listened and laughed as Terry Wooten shared his talents.   Mr. Wooten will be a guest speaker at the Sterling North Book and Film Festival this Saturday at the Edgerton High School starting at 9:00.   

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Let The Games Begin.......

The school year has begun and students are "learning the ropes" and adjusting to their new schedules, teachers, and peers.   The TAG Time Interventions will get started after initial testing of students in their classrooms.  A review of their abilities will be done through a new Universal Screener called AIMSweb.  These are short 8 minutes tests that will assess reading fluency and comprehension and also address math computation and problem solving.  Once these tests are completed, groups will be formed and intervention and extenstion classes will begin.....stay tuned for more news about TAG Time!

Quote Challenge:  Who said these famous words?

Ready, Set,......GO!

The summer days will soon come to an end and children will get ready to start another school year!  It is always an exciting time for students and teachers.  As I look to begin my second year as K-8 TAG Interventionist, I think about how this role evolved last year and understand ways I can make it even better this year.   Last year students embraced the challenges and went beyond my expecations with their "Bucket Lists of Learning" Presentations.   The partnership with Mr. Schmitz and Mrs. Mickelson was valuable and technology became a learning tool for all of us.  This school year opens up a new slate for learning and I look forward  to working with a variety of students as we extend our thinking and learn beyond our limits!!  More to come in the near future.  Happy New School Year to everyone!  

Learning About Ice Skating in this summer heat!

One of my second grade students is very interesting in the sport of ice skating.  Not only the physical skill but also the history and beauty of the sport.  Take a look at her iMovie and learn something new about one of her favorite topics.

  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USs3oE1FHC0&feature=youtu.be

Learning from Kindergarteners......

Have you ever wondered what astronauts do on the moon?  Do you know how a tornado is formed?  What is Jupiter made of?  These topics and many more were the focus of research for a group of kindergarteners.   Over the past six weeks, books have been read, facts have been collected, and presentations have been organized.  This group of kindergarten learners have worked hard to present facts to you that they have researched as part of their TAG Time learning.  Link to the video below and listen and learn from this talented group of students....enjoy!

http://youtu.be/BPMC7trB3Is