Kindergarten and 5th grade buddies....

So for the past 3 years one of my best friends (who teaches Kindergarten) and I have partnered our classes for various projects each week.  We often try to have a STEAM focus, but not always.  The key is trying to match my 5th grade curriculum to the K curriculum.  This week the Kindergarten students are learning about different types of movement.  Side to Side, Back and Forth, Zig-Zag, Round and Round.  We have done this project the past few years and it is always one of our favorites.  The students must use a piece of posterboard to create a track for a marble to pass from one side of the track to the other while demonstrating 3 different types of movement.  They only have popsicle sticks, straws, scissors and tape to complete this challenge.   This is always a great way to see the students' problem solving skills.  Here are a few pictures from this year and years past.

The students quickly figure out that when they pick up the posterboard to guide the marble through the track that the marble rolls right over their "guides" and off of the track.  Very few students build up higher walls at first, but after their first test run they find out that these walls are essential.

Here are a few more projects:

Toothpick Towers:  Given 40 toothpicks and one tub of play dough, who can build the tallest tower?

Two Part Project: 

Part 1: Using aluminum foil, build a boat that can hold the three men (Lego Men) from Rub-a-dub-dub.

Part 2: How many unifix cubes can your boat hold?  Do you need to change you plan?

STEM Challenge 5/1 Zipline

This week's STEM Challenge was to create a free standing Zipline that would carry a Lego man 3 feet.  3 Participants created successful designs! 

Jessica was the first to complete her design.  She came in ready with a successful prototype Monday morning! Excited teacher here!!

Kennedy brought her design in on Tuesday, but needed to make a few changes.  We worked a little Tuesday.  Tested the zip line, made a few more adjustments and had a successful run on Thursday!  I am very proud of Kennedy for continuing to work and never giving up!

Mason brought his design in on Friday and also had a successful first run!

Very proud of these three! Your hard work and determination certainly show.  

STEM Challenge Catapult

A few weeks ago our STEM Challenge was to design and build a catapult from household items.  No kits or legos could be used.  The winner was determined by whose catapult could shoot a mini-marshmallow the farthest.  Here are a few of the designs.  

    Our Winning design is Emma (Below).  She wanted her prize to be the rest of the marshmallow bag! :) 

It is a little hard to see, but this was a launching deck.

Emma's design featured a large plastic kitchen spoon, a shoebox and a few other items to create tension.  All participants did a great job!

STEAM Challenge 1/16

This past week we started our STEAM Challenge.  Friday of the previous week I showed the students AeroProps.

I purchased one at Education Express for about $2.00.  I felt certain that my students could create something similar.  The requirements were that the students use household items to recreate the motion of the Aero Prop.  This week was quarter testing, so only one student accepted the challenge, but he did a GREAT job.  See below:

Donovan made his prototype out of straws and origami paper.  He used a little hot glue (with parent supervision).  He even ensured that the propellers were angled like the model as well.

This student is always up for a challenge.  He even started his own cooking blog.  Check it out here...

Chef D's Cooking for Kids

Upcoming STEAM Challenge:  Students must you a contraption to pick up a LEGO man without bending over.  They must then walk LEGO man 2 yards without dropping him.  I can't wait to see what they come up with next!

Coordinate Grid Battle Ship

This morning we had Science End of Quarter Testing and this followed several days of Quarter Testing.  I wanted to give the students an activity (that wasn't technology based), that they would enjoy and would allow them to make noise, laugh, and learn at the same time.   My Accelerated math group is ahead in the pacing guide (Not a bad problem, right? :)), So we used the time to play Coordinate Grid Battleship.

Find it here.....Coordinate Battleship

Did I mention it's FREE!  It is a very simple resources but the student instructions are very clear.