STEM Update

October, 2021

Elementary STEM

It has been a great start to the new school year! Students are settling into the routines and challenging themselves in STEM class. All classes spent some time talking about growth mindset versus having a fixed mindset. I have included a link at the bottom of the newsletter for on the growth mindset.

In general, our STEM classes will be structured with Monday/Tuesday STEM activities, Thursday/Friday reading and math activities and Wednesday will alternate depending on where we need more time.

All of the elementary STEM classes have been exploring snap circuits and Sphero Bolt robots. Students have challenged themselves by exploring the Math Stars problems and learning Greek and Latin roots by creating foldables and playing Quizlet live.

Students are welcome to bring home their completed brainfood. Papers with teacher feedback will be sent home on Fridays.

WEPs (Written Education Plans) were sent via email. Please sign electronically. Let me know if you have questions.

Sincerely,

Brenda Osborn

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Third Grade - Logic & Creativity Games

Third graders explored several logic games on Fun Friday! We have learned how to solve logic puzzles on paper and on a website called Brainzilla.

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Fourth Grade - Mystery Unit

Fourth grade is beginning a mystery unit! We will be reading the book, Chasing Vermeer and exploring pentominoes in math.

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Fifth Grade - Intro. to Circuits

We have enjoyed exploring circuits and Sphero robots.

Fifth grade will begin a unit on space exploration.

Middle School STEM

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Welcome to DJ, our new class rabbit!

This year, middle school STEM is a combined class of 6-8th grade students. We are taking advantage of this combination by creating some great opportunities to learn from one another.

We started out the year reviewing a growth mindset. Our first unit of study has been on the brain. Students were given an introduction to different topics of the brain and created their own research question. From this research question, each student created a Google Slides presentation and shared it in person using Screencastify. We have worked on how to research, how to effectively create a Google slides presentation and our presentation skills.

Our next unit is on architecture and building bridges. We will need lots of toothpicks!

If you would like to donate anything to our class, we could use the following items;