MinecraftEdu in 8th Grade Science

As part of a unit on the earth's surface and topographical maps, 8th grade students came to the computer lab where they worked as a team to create a virtual topographical map in MinecraftEDU.   They were first given a mountain that they were to mark each elevation pint using different color blocks.   Once completed the class identified steep and gentle slopes as well as made predictions about erosion.   Next they were challenged to build a mountain up based on the lines given.   This proved to be a bit more challenging to work collaboratively and problem solve to complete the task.    

6th Graders Travel to Pakistan

Sixth grade students read the book Iqbal , about a child worker in a Pakistan carpet factory.   In order to help the students understand the Pakistanian culture, and the carpet factories, the library transformed into the first LibTech tours under the guidance of Linda Kay, librarian and Robin Young, Instructional Technology Specialist.    Using Youtube videos, Google Earth and eMaze, students were transported from RMS to Pakistan where they got to hear the music, see some cultural highlights,  and visit a carpet factory.  They were also given an opportunity to eat lentil soup (a staple in the book for the carpet workers) and try their hand a t weaving a carpet.  To summarize their learning for the day they wrote a postcard home to let their parent know they were okay and all that they had learned.  

Light Painting

As part of an enrichment day rotation in late December, RMS students learned how to manipulate camera settings on a digital camera to create "light paintings," which capture illuminated motion in a still photograph. Connections were made to science, history, and modern art.  Students enjoyed experimenting with this little-known technology! 

Hour of Code and Math

Ms. Ralph,   Mrs. Allen and I worked with the math intervention students these last 2 days to on coding skills, pointing out math skills as we went.  Students started with https://www.madewithcode.com/ Accessorizer and focused on X,Y co-ordinates.  We then talked about the radius of a circle and how that worked into Anna and Elsa's coding on Code.org.     Those that finished early worked on coding a Holiday tree in Washington DC.  It was a great 2 days!

Kodu and Makey Makey - Coding and Design

  

November's Technology Camp focused on coding video camps through the program Kodu.  Students were given freedom to move through the tutorials and create a video game using the video game design template.  Those that completed a game were then able to use the campus Makey Makey kits to design controllers for their game.   Twenty one students attended this camp and almost all were able to complete the video game program in this short time.   The next technology camp will be held in December and will be focused on how to use MinecraftEdu to build.

Meme

This week in Mrs. Salazar's 6th grade World Cultures classes students crafted memes to demonstrate their knowledge of Europe.   Here is one of them:

Kahoot!

Students in Mrs. Pickle's classes are reviewing for an upcoming test over "The Outsiders" with the help of Kahoot.     Mrs.  Pickle put in a serious of questions that would help the students remember key points and themes from the novel.    As a question comes up on the screen,  students are challenged to earn the most points possible by being the first right answer.   The right answer is then displayed along with how many students answered each choice.   This is a prefect opportunity for the teacher to clear up any misunderstandings and answer any questions as they prepare for the test.

Mrs. Pickle is not the only teacher on campus using this web tool to help prepare students.  Mr. Lucas' classes used this recently to review science concepts.    Using this tool keeps students engaged and learning throughout the class period.