Health, Hearts, and Cars

 I always struggle to come up with catchy titles...today it a list of topics!

HEALTH:
Our assistant to the superintendent started a steps challenge for February - April.  I joined since I know that these activities help with health care premiums or something equivalent.  Plus, I also have wondered how many steps I really walk in a day.   My phone tracks steps but I do not carry my phone ALL the time.  
So I got a very basic fit bit tracker with a connected app.  The app that I am using is Very Fit Pro.  I will try to figure out the name of my device too...My mom got me a smart watch a couple of Christmas ago but it was not what I needed at the time.  I might dust it off and try it again too and compare.
Here is a link to a very similar model at Walmart of my device - Watch tracker

Take aways:
The device needs 10 steps to register...so take the longer path to the fridge.
I should take the ramp at work not the stairs.  One or two extra trips up/down the ramp adds LOTS of steps.
It lets me know about phone calls and when I am sitting too long.
I can track my sleep and get idea of how well I am sleeping

Goals:
Just get a baseline of my every day activity.
Find simple ways to increase my movement

Steps this week so far:

HEART:
This week, every class learned a few basic heart facts and reviewed from the Kids Heart Challenge.  We used the health module in Pebble Go.  One cool fact is that your heart is the size of a fist!

Then we colored a diagram of the heart.  The K - 2 used one from Crayola - link to that page
Simple Heart.  While the older 3rd and 4th graders used one from Education - link to that page Complicated heart.

Some of the students were fascinated...some were grossed out...a few were not interested.  But the goal of STEAM is letting students see a variety of topics.  I see health and science working hand in hand.

                                                  

CARS:

Finally, my own kids were working on their Pine Wood Derby cars for cub scouts.  This is always a labor of love.  They were really not sure what to create.  The cars were created in December and sat in boxes.  Finally, we looked at them and had to figure it out.  Lucas had a very basic car with a simple design.  TJ had a more complicated design that needed a creative design to work.  Lucas decided on a basic Roblox symbol on black background.  Some painters tape and some paint.  He was done.

TJ had this weird cut out that called for a rider/driver.  As the Winter Olympics wraps up, he decided on a bobsled.  We found a random character and painted wings and decoupage on some stars.  

Here is a cool article on the history of Pinewood Derby - Derby cars history

I will let you know how we did and pictures of the boys with their cars.

#4 is TjJs bobsled car that won most creative

#5 with the Roblox symbol won scariest

Have a great weekend.  Onto Read Across America week...K is working on patterns, 1st grade is working on ?, 2nd grade are going to start our back scratcher project, 3rd grade is going to learn about either Ozobots or Spheros, and 4th grade is doing a super hero digital citizenship activity from Code.org.

Update

Thank you for the kind comments and support last week in the middle of my emotional crumbling.  It happens to the best of us.  I was prepared for the emotional, physical, and many other stresses of the pandemic going into the 20-21 school year.  However, many teachers and adult humans were led astray to think that the 21-22 school year would be easier, more manageable, less stressful, etc...  WRONG!

This year has been a roller coaster ride and I just am doing my best to focus on my goal to provide the best education to my students as possible.  

The capstone of the week was collaborating with my specials team to create a fun filled day to finish up the America Heart Challenge.  Students learned about the heart in the gym and how to transfer the blue de-oxygenated blood cells to the lungs...then pass 5 red oxygenated blood cells back to body.  It was a fun relay with students passing the ball while laying on their backs.  Then the students played a tablet tag - the goal was for the students to stay sleeping and not to be woke up by the tablet - aka balls. 

In the auditorium/library, students made a heart map.  They put in activities that they enjoy to relax, favorite healthy foods, favorite colors, heart healthy activities, and something to show the importance of sleep.  It was an awesome creative activity based on a Ted Talk.  

Then Friday was a day to collaborate and learn with our fellow teachers.  

Here are few pictures of our paper tower challenge from last week.  The tallest was 51 inches!

Coloring a heart, listening to Pebble Go about our heart, and more is on the schedule for this week!

Hoping some sunshine and time with family re-fills my tank this weekend...plus Monday is a holiday.

Plus we are in a step challenge at work.  I got this new "fancy" ish pedometer.  I hope to increase my steps and track my sleep.  Not sure what is normal and not normal, but data is helpful to staying healthy!  

I walked nearly 14000 steps on Thursday.  Friday was almost 4000.  Goal for today is 4000!  We shall see.

Does life slow down?

I was rocking the weekly blog posts for a while then it came crashing to a halt.   

I probably should not be writing this blog post today...I am in a grumpy mood/funk this morning.  Why? 
I am super busy but not getting anywhere. 
One child cancelled a text on my phone from another my mom.  This meant my pre-teen girl missed a last minute party.  She knew about the party but thought that she wasn't invited.  She was invited at the last minute and I missed the text because I checked out on a Friday night and ignored my phone.  I feel bad - these are important moments.
My clean house a week ago looks like a crime scene (okay not that bad but not where I want it to be). 
My teen is behind in history and I get to do catch up.  He has set a goal to get on honor rolls - this is going to be a challenge for him/us.
Plus, I injured my back this week and did not have time to set up an appointment with my chiropractor and I am in pain.  How?  Coughing - yep - old people injuries.  It was feeling better but is really hurting this morning.
Oh and one of my go-to people at work - a work bestie is taking an extended leave.  Another close co-worker bestie changed jobs at the beginning of year.  I snapped at another last week.  Covid stole my team lunches...adulting in a pandemic is TOUGH!  I was reminded of all of this as we had a Souper Bowl luncheon yesterday.

I should look at my blessings...but nope the funk has taken over...I want to cry...I want to scream...I am frustrated.  Okay as I type, I am now crying.  Yep...some days we can be a cheerleader and all fake...some days you get a raw blog post.

Thank you for letting me type out my emotions...but let us focus on why I started this blog - to document what is going on in STEAM classes.  

3rd and 4th graders are working on Microbits.  I regret that we do not have pictures.  But we learned to sign in, create basic code, download/upload the program, and now are working on making it a dice.  The website is awesome - I just wish that I had the new version with microphone and audio out put.  I am considering buying new ones soon!  Check them out at this website - Microbit website

Where can I buy them?  The starter kit for the new version is $40 on Amazon - Amazon store

2nd grade has been learning about PIXELS and PIXEL ART.  I even got in my formal observation on Monday this week.  I just need to finish up my data.

I am using some resources and lessons that I have before.  I will follow up on Monday with some pictures of our STARS that we created.  But we did finish our 2nd virtual Stick Together Mosaic.  Next topic will be our paper tower challenge!  Look for an update next week.

Now we are working our next one!  What do you think this might be?

1st grade - has worked on math skills like counting by 1's, 10's, and 100's...
We were counting markers for Crayola ColorCycle!  It is on PAUSE because of the pandemic.  ColorCycle

Plus we are starting The Perfect Square - but 2 groups have not done this yet!

Kindergarten is working on tangrams.  This is always fun to watch them think and create.  I use this video.  We create two in the first class and then one more the second class.  

Plus we use StarFall to practice afterwards.  Starfall shape puzzles

Okay - so there are not many student pictures or project pictures...but lots of hard work happening in STEAM.  

I think that some retail therapy is in order - maybe a trip to my fav thrift store with the kids and their Valentine's Day money from grandma or to get some "essential unmentionables"  that need a serious update!  

I think that some fresh air might also be a good choice.  Not sure what today holds...but stewing is not good or binging on the Olympics!

Here are some of shape snowflakes from January!

Short week reflection

I am trying to get back to consistently posting each week.  Finding my photos can sync with Google Photos means less cutting and pasting from my phone.  I still need to figure out cropping/editing.  But I can get phones directly on my computer which is AWESOME.

Here is an update from Elementary STEAM land:

Monday was a holiday/snow day...last day of family recovery from the illness monsters.

Tuesday was a 2 hour delay so that the community could unbury from 20+ inches of snow.

Wednesday and Thursday were normal days. 

Friday was a work day for teachers - a time to clean up (3 bags of trash out, book discards re-organized,  Cardboard tubes re-collected, return items to their proper location, give away other unwanted items, etc...) Plus worked on plans for our heart challenge and upcoming art and music activities.

Finally, time to sit and reflect and plan some lessons.  This was a a gift!  I love this moment.

So what did we work on in STEAM this week...lots to catch up on Code.org as well as AR (Augmented Reality) and VR (Virtual Reality) in 4th grade.  Always willing to try new lessons.  The IU lending library has been working with our district to try out new technologies.  So here we go!  I needed a way to use the technology.  They were truly playing with merge cubes not learning through the merge cubes.  So I needed a way to make it work.  

Here are few 3rd grade projects too from their snowflakes...We used a buffet of shapes to create these!

Finally, an updated picture of rotting Pumpkin Jack

SHAPE SNOWFLAKES:  

                                                 

MERGE CUBES and QUIVER - both versions of AR - Augmented reality applications

PUMPKIN JACK!

I will post more soon...this is just a short post to say that we are managing and ready for a more normal week next week!  

Stay warm and healthy - keep pushing yourself to try something new - treasure each moment.  

Crazy week update

 I honestly do not have much to post on this page.  Covid 19 finally shut my family down from two angles.  1st time that we are directly affected in 21 months!

I have been at home since Saturday night and it has been surreal. 
I left Saturday for 1 activity thinking that we were all healthy and no one told us to stay home.  

As an aside, I have been following the recommendations of our school district pandemic coordinator.  So if any of this posts is against your views...know that each decisions was directed/led by the professionals in my district NOT me making my choice.

But here is my story:

First, my son started with a headache and fever on Thursday.  He stayed at home Thursday and Friday.  The healthy family members could still attend school and activities since we did not have a test result...just wear a mask and be smart.

Friday night, I gave my oldest a ride home from work while her car was being repaired.  She was negative that morning when she took a test to return to school.  On Saturday night, she called to say that she was now POSITIVE.  That put me out on Monday-Wednesday as a "close contact".  But I felt fine!

Monday we took my son to the doctor for a return note for school which led to a Covid test.  On Wednesday, we found out he was a positive.  But Thursday through Tuesday (1/6 to 1/11) was his isolation with the updated guidelines from the CDC.  So back to school he went on Wednesday.  

But because of the positive test, the rest of the siblings and myself are now in "isolation/quarantine" so instead of returning to school Thursday and Friday.  I ended up being out ALL week.

Long story short, the positive kid is back in school and the mostly healthy kids and mom are at home.  We have joked about sending him out to Dollar General down the road for milk since he is the only who is supposed to leave the house.  We are masking and trying to sanitize and wash everything. 

The guidelines are hard to follow and keep changing.  

Overall, we have stayed relatively healthy.  I missed some fun lessons at school and really do not know how STEAM went.  I typically can check in or pop in after hours to check on life, but not right now.  

I left an easier paper snowflake project for 2nd - 4th grade.  2nd grade might have done pebble go research on snow?  3rd and 4th grade explored Interland which is a Google Internet Safety activity.

Be Internet Awesome Game Link

K and 1 worked on symmetry penguins.  I really wanted to see the cute results.  I left some possible penguin research on Pebble Go.  Thanks to Instagram - Penguin inspiration

Here is my example before eyes and a beak!

I will not know what happened or how it went until Tuesday.  I do know that Monday-Thursday that I had the same sub and a new one today.  Most of my classes were actually covered!  

It has been a lesson in letting go, loving my family, accepting this crazy disease, and lots of family time.  

Next week, I hope to do my shape snowflakes, melting snow experiments, arctic animal stations, penguin coloring, and augmented reality!  So much to plan and no way to copy worksheets, prep activities, etc...

Time to check on 6th and 8th grade math.  It is like running a one room school or virtual learning where no one wants to do anything but must do something.

Stay warm...stay healthy...create some memories even in the chaos!  

January is SNOW much fun

 We are back in school during the first week of  January.  It was nice to see students and get them back in the routine. 

One big goal was re-starting/updating technology, making sure CLEVER was bookmarked, wrapping up old lessons/units, etc...

Plus some fun learning!  One thing that almost every class did was talk about the DECOMPOSING of Pumpkin Jack.  He is an ugly shrinking brown pumpkin - sort of.   The life cycle of pumpkin is very captivating to all ages.

                     

                       

Next, Kindergarten and first grade talked about how snowflakes are made using a short Wild Krats clip.

Then we used pattern shapes to talk about symmetry and patterns.  I showed the students three examples of shape snowflakes.  Then they created their own shape snowflakes.  Here are a few K and 1 creations.

Grade 2 - also talked about snowflakes but focused on creating radial symmetry, practicing following directions, and making a paper snowflake.  There was one super challenging step but the results were AWESOME.  Unfortunately, I got zero paper snowflake pictures this week.  

Here was my inspiration - paper snowflake directions

Grade 3 and 4 worked a variety of activities.  One third grade class had to finish marble runs, one fourth grade class had to finish light holiday cards with paper circuits, some tried Interland, most of 3rd grade started code.org, and a review of EduTyping.

It was a busy week with few pictures of the older students work.  I am excited by more paper snow flakes, symmetrical penguins, and maybe moldable snow creations this week.  We shall see! 

So far, I am doing well keeping up with my One Word goal/project on creating MEMORIES at home and work.  My big project is off to a good start :)

Plus we got an Instapot at home - it has been so fun to try new recipes.  Super fast and tasty food so far. Here was our first meal - potatoes and chicken - they cooked together - but were served separate.  

Our final activity of holiday break was family skate time!  We went with my brother-in-law and his four kids from Florida.  My kids and I had a blast.  Here are a few pictures but lots of MEMORIES were made!  

Older cousins helping Lucas

             
          

Goodbye 2021 - Hello 2022

 I do a year in review each year.  It is fun to think back from year to year.

I recently found some cool statistics about my blog.  So I thought that I would share them here:

Here is my views - I am really curious why I saw a HUGE spike in October.  I was off Facebook from October 2 - December 30 because I was hacked.  Most people that I keep in touch with are on this social media platform.  I tried Instagram but didn't get the followers and clicking links in Instagram is a challenge.  I use Twitter but often forget to post there or really check it!

So here are my page views for the year:

Top 3 posts was also fun to look at...Bone Bridges is an old post that was my top views until it was trumped by Goblin in the Notch!  Plus my yearly New Years post!

So more about the past year. 

I picked ENOUGH as my word of the year from 2021.   I think that this fit the continued pandemic lifestyle.  I was doing enough...

Last year, I also started two podcasts which are progressing but fell way behind...but I focus on progress...I am doing ENOUGH!

In the Bible in a Year, we are on day 195 out of 365.  This is restarting tomorrow...but I am going to just keep trucking along on the 2021 version until we finish then decide where to go next!  You can learn about it here - Bible in a YEAR

Plus I was listening to the Diary of St. Faustina read by another blogger.  I made it to day 186 out of 365.  Same theory - if I was better at using earbuds - I might be farther along - but on a quiet Saturday morning listening is not always easy.  These are just excuses - but I am doing ENOUGH to learn about Divine Mercy and my faith through this journey.  Diary of St. Faustina

SO WHAT IS MY GOALS FOR 2022 and what am I working on.  

First, I am going to focus on creating a more permanent record of my social media posts.  I don't want to share too much yet!  This might be a bit too big of a project.

Second, I need to pick my ONE WORD!  You can learn about this from my 2020 post New Year 2020.

Here is some of my words from the past:
2021 - ENOUGH

2020 - ENGAGED
2019 - CREATIVITY

2018 - PATIENCE

2017 - TRUST

2016 - FOCUS

SO ARE YOU READY FOR THE 2022 WORD?  SO AM I!  

MEMORIES - I am going to be focusing on recording memories for myself, my family, and my students.  I think that we need to find ways to create a legacy in a technological world.  

Part of this is saving my MEMORIES from facebook since 2009!

One important thing is sharing how to keep your facebook account "safer" from hackers.  I learned this a little to late.  Basically, you can have some trusted friends/family who can go in and help you retrieve your account if it gets hacked or locked.  

I created this screen shot to show you were to find this hidden security GEM!

DO YOU HAVE A WORD PICKED FOR 2022 yet?

De'STEM'ber

 I love the idea...but wow is it a lot of prep, set-up, and clean up.  You will find many of the links on last year's post De'STEM'ber 2020

4th grade is doing paper circuits...these are so cool but work best done one on one! Here is a link to my resource - Makerspaces Holiday Cards

3rd grade did tessellation trees...pictures to follow and kept working on simple machines.  Now they are creating marble runs!  This is going so well and I have just the right amount of tubes...plus lots of boxes!

2nd grade made holiday bookmarks last week and gingerbread houses this week. 

1st grade is working on upcycled trees!  These allow for scissor practice (desperately needed), following directions, and more.

These are so colorful and fun! 

Kindergarten created my favorite little reindeer...plus we watched sci show kids on reindeer facts!  

love the eye lashes

I need to find 1 more cool K/1 plan to wrap up De'STEM'ber...

Traveling Mural is colored and ready to mail...plus we got our 1st 2 pieces back!