Teaching Beyond Our Classroom Walls - Article on edSurge

Thank you for all the connections in 2014. I look forward to expanding them and collaborating with more classrooms and experts in 2015. Here is a link to a recent article I wrote about the experiences on edSurge 52 Stories from Educators. Knowing there are many amazing teachers in Kansas, I am extremely humbled to be asked to write an article to represent Kansas. Thank you to edSurge for the opportunity and my superintendent and good friend, Dr. Doug Sumner, who helped me truly reflect on the article.
https://www.edsurge.com/n/2014-12-11-how-you-can-actually-teach-beyond-your-classroom-s-walls

Genius Hour Presentations

The students have been working on genius hour throughout the quarter. This is a time when students can research anything they want, focusing on something they are passionate about for one hour. This week, some of those students presented and did a great job. We all really learned a lot.

Lincoln presenting on the history of football

Nick presenting on T-Rex and explaining what life would be like if he existed today

Rachel's presentation on fashion design

Luke & Wil's presentation on Minecraft and the importance of being safe on the Internet

Blake and Preston's presentation on the Keoningsegg One

Alaina presented on the importance of puppies.

 

Peyton presented on France

 

 

Merry Christmas Mom and Dad!

The students wanted to say thank you for the winter party and wish their mom and dad a Merry Christmas.

Congratulations Class Spelling Bee Winners, Corbin & Kenzie

Congratulations to Corbin (class winner) and Kenzie (runner-up) for our class spelling bee. They will represent our class in the school spelling bee in January.

Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs

Students read The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs by Betty G. Birney. Afterwards, they went around the school and searched for their wonders, took photos and made a video of it.

Video Game Design on Sploder

The students designed their own video game on Sploder. They created a game with at least three levels, then they went on Schoology and summarized their game and listed all their problem solving strategies. They also had to say what was the best things about their game and what they would do differently next time. Next, the students played another student's game. They had to rate the game 1-5 and cite evidence (at least three examples) of why they rated it the way they did and whether they would purchase it in the store. They also had to list one positive thing about the game and one suggestion.

Blake P. :  Escape
Olivia: The Fun Fun Game
Alaina: Mission
Hannah: Enemies Game
Bella: Powerful
Kenzie: The Key
Alli: Alli's Death Zone
Kate: Kate's Miner
Luke: Ninja Apocalypse
Rachel: Rachel's Crystal World
Caroline: The Real Awesome Game
Reagan: Rockstar Madness
Corbin: Impossible
Preston: Survivor
Sydney: The Impossible
Emma: The Crystal Mine
Nick: Jailbreak
Andrew: Underground Liar
Peyton: Peyton's Horror Land
Will: Ground Liar
Blake N.: The Viper of Doom
Lincoln: The Death Valley

Play Dough Maps using Movie Maker

As part of our geography unit, students had to create a map. It had to include a title, symbols, legend, compass rose, cardinal directions, grid system, measurement/scale.  Students made the maps out of play dough, came up with a name for it and created a story to go with it. Students used Movie Maker to share their map movies.