I often write and re-write my blog post starters in my mind for a day or two before committing "pen to paper". I have so many thoughts swirling in mind...I am trying to focus my ENERGY and use it for good in 2023...so I am going to JUMP into the main reason for typing up blog posts...sharing the awesome things happening in my STEAM room.
Week 1 was a slow return to normal with a 4 day week. Years ago, I found that this was a great time re-visit internet safety. I have never explicitly taught kindergarten internet safety and usually skip it in first grade, but in our tech ridden world I felt moved to pull out some lessons from Common Sense Media. I love the power points, videos, and take away papers. This hopefully allows a few families to see that we are talking about internet safety in a safe age appropriate way.
This is the link to the curriculum - it is free to sign up for educators. Plus they have a parent section too!
Plus we talked about encryption and secret codes, revisited EduTyping, and some students did a creativity challenge.
Week 2 was a return to more diverse STEAM lessons.
K learned about winter animals and return of centers. We started to watch Sci Show kids, researched on Pebble Go, used shape/pattern blocks, and Keva planks.
1 snowflakes (science, art, and engineering). We watched Dr. Binocs, made a basic paper snowflake, learned how to make e-snowflakes, and then did some engineering :)
2 snowflakes - They also watched Dr. Binocs, made two different paper snowflakes, and also explored an e-snowflake generator.
3 snowflakes and edutyping. Grade 3 made snowflake gears, made a variety of paper snowflakes, and then made some e-snowflakes.
Here are some pictures of the paper snowflakes and e-snowflakes. The website is E-Snowflakes
4 binary - I love show students how computers work and the idea of binary. We start with the Zero, One song then watch a short Brain Pop video on Binary. Then I use a worksheet from Code.org to decode and figure out the binary alphabet. We wrap up with a bracelet with initials!
I am moving more and ready for a new week. I am busy editing a book, wrapping up the first semester, preparing for a new fun activity for February on dominos!
Personally, my life is uber crazy with my kids in 3 different scouting groups, 2 in the high school musical, Sunday school (3 different times/days), 1 in middle school cheer, 1 in an elite choir, 1 taking shooting lessons, and then add it random play dates, PTO events, library activities, and family fun and it is a scheduling matrix. But it is only a short time in life!
It is a tradition to start the new year with a deep post...
I pick my 1 word...I reflect on the past year...
However, my remaining two days of break demands that I keep this short and keep cleaning and purging.
2022 was about memories...I was 1 of the top 3 Computer Science teachers in Pennsylvania, we went on vacations and camping trips, day trips, reconnecting with friends, and more!
Here is my One Word post from last year to learn about this concept. One Word 2022
2023 is for energy...I have been on the energy struggle bus...aka I go in spit and spurts....run hard Monday through Friday and collapse most weekends. This is great at work...but my family gets tired cranky mom who is addicted to baking shows and quick naps. The goal is to focus my energy in more equitable ways. Cleaning up my life will require a refocus of energy and time.
Here is my meme inspiration for 2023.
Here is my list of past 'words' :)
2022 - MEMORIES
2021 - ENOUGH
2020 - ENGAGED 2019 - CREATIVITY
2018 - PATIENCE
2017 - TRUST
2016 - FOCUS
One way to track my energy use is my smart watch. Below is my energy use for 2022.
I am curious to 'watch' my smart watch to compare 2022 to 2023!
Off to clean, start my friend's book that I am editing, write lesson plans, and maximize the next few hours before the evil nap monster tells me to stop moving ;)
