Students have been working hard on building community and computer science connections. Over the last week we have taken a break from our coding to celebrate our successes and, for some classes, participate in unique project experiences.
Little Alchemy ( 1 - 5 )
This week many classes in first through 5th grade have been exploring a web based game called "Little Alchemy." I learned about this game as part of my upcoming training at the ISTE Conference this summer where I will learn more about connecting this game to K-2 CCSS.
In Little Alchemy students were able use magical thinking, word play, and mathematical concepts to help create new items by combining previously created items. They fostered community building and information networking by utilizing peers as educators and assistants. Students were eager to create new items and share their creations with friends. When students because stuck others were quick to help. I was so proud of the initiatives each student took towards innovation and idea sharing; practices which are critical in scientific and other communities.
School in the Cloud ( 5th )
Select 5th grade classes have been able to participate in a new School in the Cloud "Big Question"
The School in the Cloud concept is an idea started in India as an experimental new form of education crafted by Sugata Mitra.
Our Big Question, paraphrased and localized is, "Considering climate change and limited natural resources what will Madison look like in the future?" In line with the School in the Cloud concept students were allowed to self organize into small groups, move freely among groups, look at each others works, and share idea on the class smart board collectively.
Check out the video of our Big Question straight from Professor Haley Fowler of Newcastle, UK:
Little Alchemy ( 1 - 5 )
This week many classes in first through 5th grade have been exploring a web based game called "Little Alchemy." I learned about this game as part of my upcoming training at the ISTE Conference this summer where I will learn more about connecting this game to K-2 CCSS.
In Little Alchemy students were able use magical thinking, word play, and mathematical concepts to help create new items by combining previously created items. They fostered community building and information networking by utilizing peers as educators and assistants. Students were eager to create new items and share their creations with friends. When students because stuck others were quick to help. I was so proud of the initiatives each student took towards innovation and idea sharing; practices which are critical in scientific and other communities.
School in the Cloud ( 5th )
Select 5th grade classes have been able to participate in a new School in the Cloud "Big Question"
The School in the Cloud concept is an idea started in India as an experimental new form of education crafted by Sugata Mitra.
Our Big Question, paraphrased and localized is, "Considering climate change and limited natural resources what will Madison look like in the future?" In line with the School in the Cloud concept students were allowed to self organize into small groups, move freely among groups, look at each others works, and share idea on the class smart board collectively.
Check out the video of our Big Question straight from Professor Haley Fowler of Newcastle, UK:
I was impressed by the truly inspiring level of critical thinking and problem solving demonstrated by the students. Each and every student had a positive contribution toward the final production. Student ideas ranged from smart houses, V shaped roofs with built in filtration cistern systems to collect and reuse rainwater, to electromagnetic roads, and garbage powered hoverboards. Obviously, I was blown away by the diversity and creativity of their ideas.
Examples of student work are visible in the hallway across from the cafeteria if you would like to see more of their wonderful ideas.
Closing:
I hope that all classes will get the chance to participate in our School in the Cloud "Big Questions" project but we are limited by Skype availability and mobile resource availability. Many more projects are in the works for other classes and grade levels. More information will be posted as it is made available.