All posts by lspady

The Chemistry of Cookies

Spady Blog, Uncategorized

Just when you thought science couldn’t get any more exciting!

cookies

This TEDEd video by Stephanie Warren explains basic chemistry principles through the process of baking cookies – from how the dough spreads out to how the oven temperatures kill salmonella.  Grab a glass of milk and a couple cookies and dive in to the science of cooking!

When you’re finished watching the video, complete the questions on the Google Form.

Video Link: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-chemistry-of-cookies-stephanie-warren

cookie picture taken from pdclipart.org

 

Worldmapper

Spady Blog

Screenshot 2014-04-01 11.41.02Worldmapper is a collection of world maps based on various subjects from meat imports to cholera deaths to absolute poverty.  As a young student, I remember looking up statistics about countries in various books.  However, without access to technology, much of this information was meaningless to me and it was difficult to make connections.  Today’s students have access to tools like Worldmapper and Google Earth, which brings the information to a whole new level!

I recently worked with some 4th graders and showed them various maps on Worldmapper.  After looking at each map, I had them write down a question about the map.  This led to some interesting discussions and connections.  Below are just a few of the maps we explored and the questions students wrote.  Check out Worldmapper and leave a comment about a map you found interesting!

Map # 1 Meat Imports: http://www.worldmapper.org/display.php?selected=50

  • How do they choose the shape of the countries?

Map # 2: Fruit Imports: http://www.worldmapper.org/display.php?selected=42

  • To be so big, how much fruit does Europe import?

Map # 3: Vegetables Consumed: http://www.worldmapper.org/display.php?selected=124

  • What is the most eaten food in china?

Map # 4 Poor Water: http://www.worldmapper.org/display.php?selected=186

  • What is the disease that is mostly caught through water?

Map # 5: Cholera Cases: http://www.worldmapper.org/display.php?selected=231

  • What is the usual age one gets cholera?

Map # 6: Yellow Fever: http://www.worldmapper.org/display.php?selected=236

  • Where would you get a yellow fever vaccination?
  • How much does it cost and how hard would it be to get to people in Northern Africa?

Map # 7: Absolute Poverty: http://www.worldmapper.org/display.php?selected=180

  • What would you most likely buy when you live on two dollars a day?

Innovators at Westgate

Spady Blog, Uncategorized

Third quarter was full of innovation at Westgate!  On Feb. 22, a group of students participated in the 2014 Robotics Expo at Strategic Air and Space Museum.  The students competed in various events that required problem solving, teamwork, and critical thinking.  Fourth graders Alex and Caleb entered the documentation competition and earned first place for their innovative ideas.  Alex designed a customizable classroom chair and Caleb came up with an innovative way to keep his clothes organized.

Robotics  Documentation

In March, Westgate received grant funds from the Kids in Need Foundation.  We purchased nine Makey Makeys and the kids have been having a blast!  Check out the videos and pictures!

Makey Makey Video

Rock Band Makey Makey

IMG_5501 IMG_5497

Although we missed the deadline, Google hosts an annual competition called Doddle 4 Google and sixth grader Tera came up with a great design!

GoogleDoodle

First graders Abigail and Marin earned honors from the Metropolitan Reading Council for the stories they wrote about a new and unusual superhero.

SONY DSC

Great job Gators!  Continue to think creatively, be imaginative and innovative!

Math Curse

Spady Blog

Screen Shot 2014-03-31 at 10.54.51 AM

I’ve been reading The Math Curse by John Scieska + Lane Smith to my first grade group and I continue to be amazed at what their young minds can absorb!  If you’re not familiar with the book, here is a link to a video of the book being read.  Here is another link to a condensed version of the book (more in movie form).  I have read this book to all ages and there’s really something for everyone in here…no matter what your math background.  Here are the things I worked on with the 1st graders:

Fibonacci’s Sequence:  1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21…

  • I put the sequence on the board and within a minute, the first graders were able to figure out the pattern.  What are the next 3 numbers in this sequence?  What would the first 10 terms in the sequence be if Fibonacci’s sequence started with 2 fours?

Gallons-Quarts-Pints-Cups

  • The graphic below is often used to teach volume conversions.  There are 4 quarts in a gallon, 2 pints in a quart, and 2 cups in a pint.  Having this visual makes it easy to answer other conversion questions.  How many pints are in a gallon?  How many cups in a gallon?  How many quarts are in a half gallon?

Screen Shot 2014-03-31 at 11.02.21 AM

Arrays

  • Instead of 24 kids in the class, the first graders helped figure out seating arrangements for 12 kids.  They easily came up with 1 row of 12, 2 rows of 6, and so on.  That made it really easy to introduce multiplication.  We also had fun counting how many ears, fingers, eyes, etc. in the classroom.  As an extension, I asked questions like: What is the number eyes in the classroom take away the number of noses?  What is the number of fingers in the classroom plus the number of arms?

Screen Shot 2014-03-31 at 11.16.52 AM

The students’ homework is to make up an everyday math problem so we can create a book similar to The Math Curse.  Leave a comment with a math problem that you made up and it just might make it into our book!

Science Olympiad – March 25, 2014

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What an amazing day!  Ninety-eight 4th-6th grade students from all ten elementary schools participated in the 1st Annual Westside Community Schools Science Olympiad.  Students had a fun-filled day exploring science concepts like density, simple machines, and measurement.  In teams of two, students used their observation and estimating skills to complete four activities.  Here are a few picture and video highlights from the day.

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Sink Or Float

Catapults

Write-It Do-It

Pasta Bridge

Mystery Boxes

March Madness! Parent/Teacher Conferences and More!

Lusero Blog

Hello to all!  I think we are seeing the light at the end of this long winter tunnel.  At least, that is what I am thinking to get me through this really cold Monday.  The weatherman had best be telling the truth!

I wanted to touch base and let you know what my schedule looks like for conferences this time.  My plan is to be in each school on the opposite day from the first conferences.  This means I will be at Loveland on Tuesday, March 11th and then Sunset on Wednesday, March 12th.  I will attempt to make it to each scheduled conference in that building but I can’t promise that it will happen.  If our paths do not cross, and you would like to discuss your child’s progress, please call or send me an e-mail and we will set something up.  I wish there was an easier solution and I could meet with you all, but there doesn’t seem to be one.

The students in grades 4-5 are all busy working on their inventions or innovations.  They each will get a presentation board this week to use with their exhibit.  They are expected to have a prototype of their invention or a detailed diagram.  It is fun to watch them create.  Some struggle with the idea but are eager to create the advertisement and explanation.  Some are the opposite, the idea part was easy, but now they have to work at the writing piece.  And some are strong in both areas– we may have some inventors in our midst!

The sixth grade students are working in collaborative teams to create a Rube Goldberg Machine that will complete a simple task.  There are guidelines and a rubric to keep them on track.  This takes patience and perseverance.  Their creativity and problem solving skills will be tested as they attempt to make them work.  What looks great on paper, does not always work in reality.

Grades 4-6 will share their inventions, innovations and chain reaction contraptions with each other later this month as a culmination of our Innovation Concept.  Our next quarter will focus on Connections –  from the past to the present and the future.

I hope to see all of you next week, but please feel free to e-mail or call with questions or concerns.  Hard to believe we are in the fourth quarter!  Wow!  As always, thanks for sharing your children with me!

 

 

Young Scientist Challenge

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Life is full of opportunities to seek out innovative solutions to everyday issues.  The Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge celebrates students in grades 5-8 who find innovative solutions for these issues.

For this week’s learning opportunity, check out the Contest Archives and see what students have done in the past.  When you click on the link, the Contest Archives are on the right (from 2013 to 2008).  Click on a year and then scroll down on the page to find links to 10 finalists.  When you’re finished, go to the form and fill out the required information.

One last thing…the 2014 Challenge is open until April 22.  You still have time to create a 1-2 minute video and  submit it!  There are some amazing prizes and opportunities so check it out!

Contest Archives Link:  http://www.youngscientistchallenge.com/contest-archives

Link to Form:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1uUeC4dIN_JraT3Gu5Uk3qlwWFE-4wpR1W2jFiZ5JH94/viewform