2023 - week 1 and 2

 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!

Common Sense Media

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!