Performance Modification!

What a great way to teach students vocabulary. Today we learned about Performance and Modification by building our own Lego Go Carts and racing them. They turned out to be high performance after several modifications! First, we read a short article about Lego building using AVID Critical Thinking Strategies. Next, we built and modified. Then we raced. Finally students wrote a post card to a loved one reflecting on the experience. Well done Champions!

building...

 modifying...

 racing...

 the big race...

 sharing our reflections on a post card to a loved one...

Well done Champions!

The Marshmallow Challenge!

Today we put students in teams of 3, gave them a few materials, and set the timer for 20 minutes to build the tallest structure with a marshmallow on top! The idea came from:
http://marshmallowchallenge.com/Welcome.html

Students had fun while working well together. After time was up, students wrote a letter to a family member about what they built and what they learned today.
Great job Champions!

Building, working together, problem solving.....

 Later, writing a post card to a loved one about what they learned....

 sharing their post card....

 Reflection Post Cards for all to see...

Welcome to 2014-2015 School Year!

We have just finished our first week of school and have already completed two projects. Yesterday we learned all about the Velella Velella washing ashore at our beaches. Students were able to investigate their own, then write a post card to a friend about what they learned. Awesome day!

http://www.scpr.org/news/2014/08/20/46102/jellyfish-appear-in-santa-monica/

 writing a post card about what they learned....

Getting Ready...

We are working hard to have the best 2014-2015 school year be the best yet! I cant wait to meet all my new student "Champions"!