Jen Aranyi inspired...

Mason Jars and Mountainscapes! Remember the new art lessons I was working on? Here is one of them. Look at the amazing results from my 4th graders.

This lesson they totally completed on their own using the link provided. I was so proud of them and they absolutely loved being able to do this on their own. 

Below is the QR Code for the lesson from my previous post. You will need to have Google Slides to view and inside the slides are links to videos and handouts that will be helpful. 

Mason Jar Watercolors based of the artist Jen Aranyi

4th Grade Examples

Digital Self-Portraits

I have to admit, when I started working on this project, I wasn't sure how it would turn out. It is one of my "original" art lessons and I was so excited to try it out and I have to say the results were so awesome. 

I'm LOVING the APP Green Screen by DoInk! 

Here's the link to the step-by-step instructions for teachers on my TPT Shoppe. 

Bringing AR to the Art Room

Augmented Reality (AR) is a huge thing right now and the students love it.   I was having a hard time trying to find ways to incorporate it into the art room without taking away too much of our creative time teaching it. And, I found a few great ways to make both things happen and I'm totally excited about it. 

The first was an app called "Quiver" which is limited but it gets kids excited about AR and ways to use it.  I used it to introduce 4th and 5th graders to the concept. 

The second is an app and desktop version called "Metaverse" which is also limited but it has some fun features. It's more teacher friendly than student. Here's an example of the piece I created. Just scan the QR code with the Metaverse App and see an example. This one is very simple and I'll post more later:) 

The third is an app and desktop version called "EyeJack". This one is by far the BEST one I've come across. I'm so excited about the things this AR tool offers for artists. My students will be creating pieces soon with this. So stay tuned for a post about this app and how it can be incoporated into the art room. 

Free "Coding" Resources...

Borrowed this from another site, thank you!

Some great places to find FREE coding resources, lessons and ideas:

1. Code.org - In a different blog post, I briefly talked about this great resource and you can read it here. 

What I really liked about this program:

-  I teach over 600 students and I could create multiple classes and assign each student their course. What was really great is that if you have students who aren't grade level ready for there courses, you can assign them an appropriate course and no one knows but you. This allows for all students to feel and be successful in coding. 

-  I can monitor each students individual progress, view their lessons and cater their learning needs as needed. The teacher aspect is a great tool.

-  There are unplugged activities also. I really liked the cup stacking activity and so did my students. 

2. ScratchJr. - In a different blog post, I briefly talked about this great resource and you can read it here.

Image of one of my challenge sheets - link attached!

I used this resource with my Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd graders and they absolutely LOVED it. I created a variety of different tasks for students to create. Attached is a copy of one of their "Challenges". Just make sure if you teach multiple classes and grades and they share iPads, create a system so you can identify who has done what.

For example:
- Each of my iPads are a group color (ex: red, yellow, etc...)
- Each class saves their work with identifying codes. For example: M2ch1 (First Initial of teachers last name,grade level, challenge #). Because students get assigned a specific iPad color, I know who has done the work and this has made a hug difference in my grading ease. 
- I laminate and print all my challenges so they can be reused over and over without the worry of getting messed up. 

3. Scratch - Is the computer version for older students. This resource will allow you as an educator to create a FREE account. I think you have the ability to get 50 free student accounts when you sign up. So what I did is create this for only my 5th graders. Each class would have an account and when I was finished with one class I'd "suspend" the account and open the new class. This worked great but takes a little more planning. I do recommend creating tasks for your class so they don't play around. If you have a drama teacher...collaborating with him/her would be a perfect way to make the lesson fun.

I know there are many more FREE resources, but from an educators perspective, these really were my favorite. 

Classroom Layout/Setup

Love having photos of the students work in action! 

One thing I've learned is, classroom layout is so important when teaching. It was fun redesigning my classroom for PLTW and I love how things turned out. I'm constantly re-evaluating the design and moving things to make it work for my students. Here's a few tips:



1. Make sure you have an area where kids can come together without distractions. Such as a carpet area. This was so huge for me especially since I have a computer lab as my classroom.

2. Because I teach every student within the school, each student has a 3-prong folder that I keep in the class. Inside their folders are:
 • username/passwords to every program we use for easy access. 
 • launch logs (PLTW) and graph paper for drawing, notes, etc... 

3. Flexible seating if at all possible. I have regular chairs, rockers and cubes for students to choose from. 

4. Designated supply areas.

I hope these images help anyone trying to come of with classroom layout ideas. I'll post more as I do new things and come up with other ideas. 

ScratchJr®...A great coding app!

ScratchJr® is so amazing!
It's a great coding app for younger children and easy to navigate.

Check out their website and see what awesome things they offer. I use ScratchJr® with my Kindergarteners, 1st and 2nd graders to design and code programs in our STEAM class. Many of our ideas come from the curriculum that PLTW® incorporates into there modules. But, I've also designed some projects myself. 

The students love it and it's so much fun, especially the part about being able to draw your own characters and backgrounds. The art teacher in me is definatley coming out here. 

Below are the links to some FREE posters for you that I've created for my students. Please feel free to use them, but since ScratchJr® is copy written, I ask that you don't sell them on any site, thank you. 

ScratchJr - poster1

ScratchJr - poster2

If you would like some other great resources to go with your programming curriculum check out my TPT shoppe. I've got a lot of STEm/STEAM resources to choose from. Here's a sample of what I use when setting up pair programming partners. It's a great way to get both students involved without the fighting over who gets to touch the IPads. 

 

If you are able to, only have 2 students per device and let them take turns being the Driver and Navigator. Both students will present together. 

But, If you have to have 3 students together, this helps give them all jobs. But each child should get the opportunity to be the driver. I usually alter days or tasks so there's no confusion. 

Here's the link to my Programming Jobs print in my shoppe. I use this everytime and it really makes a difference and eliminates the arguments. 

1st Grades Game Design

April 2019 Newslettter!

April STEAM Newsletter - To view the PDF, just click on the link and download the PDF to your computer. You don't need Dropbox, just download the file to your computer.

I get asked this alot...
"What is STEAM?"

STEAM is an acronym that stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math. It's an educational approach to learning that uses problem solving for guiding student inquiry, dialogue, and critical thinking. The end results are students who have real-world problems to solve are naturally motivated. 

STEAM education provides children opportunities to work on a task, experiment, correct mistakes and develop strategies. They are able to create theories that they test and then modify them from what happens. It provides children with an active role in their own learning. It also allows for independent, partner and group work to take place, giving them real-world scenerios.  

A really great website that I found to better explain all the ascpects of STEAM is "Understanding STEAM and how children use it." 

1st Graders Designing a shoe adapted to where they're traveling

Unplugged Coding

 Coding with Students! 

If you are thinking about implementing coding into your curriculum, you need to check out: code.org! 

Your students will create their own games, art, and digital stories that they can share - all while developing problem-solving, collaboration, persistence, and computational thinking skills. Do your students love to get up and move around? Half of the lessons are "unplugged" activities that teach computational thinking and digital citizenship skills without computers. 

Code.org is a FREE and lets educators create classes, distribute assignments, and see everything in one place. I absolutely LOVE it and I had never taught coding until this year.

Launch Update!  

So EXCITED to update you on the LAUNCH of PLTW (Project Lead the Way) into our curriculum...
Click on the link below for our newest Newsletter!
November Launch Newsletter

Create your own Channel!  

One of the best things I have done over the years is create my own YouTube channel.

I use videos to teach lots of concepts and this is a great way to store them for easy access and it also allows you to post them so kids can watch them as instructional tools.

Do you have lots of videos that you use in your classroom? 
Is it hard to find them and/or you feel like you have to search through a billion folders and files to find them? 

This is what I have used for years with all my classes and since I teach K-5th grade, it has been a lifesaver.

How can you use it in the classroom?
You literally have all your videos (both the ones you create and others) at your fingertips. You can create a playlist of links that can be shared - privately or publicly, if you'd like. The link will take students, colleagues and parents straight to your saved videos. YouTube will also generate you a embedded code to add to your blog, google classroom page, etc... It's perfect for students who might need to watch a video again for "extra practice" or to find important information during the school year.

Here's a link (below) to one of my favorite borrowed videos. I have playlists for both ART & STEAM!
Never Give Up!