Frames Around QR Codes!

These things are beautiful.  I found this website with great download resources to frame your QR codes.  Being in the #edtech and #breakoutedu worlds I find them super helpful.

Click here to download your own.

STEAM MAKERSPACE GRANT

Here I GO!! 

I'm so very excited that I have been awarded start up monies from the Saranac Education Foundation to build a STEAM Makerspace.  STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math.  Makerspace is a place to go where inquiry based learning is rich and students can explore everyday problems that adults solve on a daily basis.  I feel so motivated about this project.  

My background in education is rich in STEAM education.  I went to MSU for a Master's Degree in Curriculum and our learning focus was #PBL (Project Based Learning) and the fundamentals of brain based education, think Bloom's.  From there, I went to get another Master's Degree in Educational Technology.  This was rich in #SAMR theory (brain work of Dr. Ruben Puentedura) as a well as a seriously high level of integration as application and transformation of learning.  In order words, the #MAET program taught me that technology should not be used for skill and drill and instead used for exploration and transformation of learning.  

My goal with this room is to build a place where teachers can come with their students to teach with the philosophy that student inquiry guides the learning.  The space provides the materials (Thanks to SEF) and an opportunity to make sense of the world.

As I go I'll let you know what plans I have and how it comes to fruition!

STEAM MAKERSPACE GRANT

Here I GO!! 

I'm so very excited that I have been awarded start up monies from the Saranac Education Foundation to build a STEAM Makerspace.  STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math.  Makerspace is a place to go where inquiry based learning is rich and students can explore everyday problems that adults solve on a daily basis.  I feel so motivated about this project.  

My background in education is rich in STEAM education.  I went to MSU for a Master's Degree in Curriculum and our learning focus was #PBL (Project Based Learning) and the fundamentals of brain based education, think Bloom's.  From there, I went to get another Master's Degree in Educational Technology.  This was rich in #SAMR theory (brain work of Dr. Ruben Puentedura) as a well as a seriously high level of integration as application and transformation of learning.  In order words, the #MAET program taught me that technology should not be used for skill and drill and instead used for exploration and transformation of learning.  

My goal with this room is to build a place where teachers can come with their students to teach with the philosophy that student inquiry guides the learning.  The space provides the materials (Thanks to SEF) and an opportunity to make sense of the world.

As I go I'll let you know what plans I have and how it comes to fruition!

5th Grade #GAFE Explorer Chart

While learning or doing research, ask students to finish the explorer chart.  Using a second tab for research, along with this chart, students can easily find information on the explorers.  This will be a study guide when finished.  Simply print.  If you'd like a full copy for your own classroom click the photo.

5th Grade Native American #edtech

Fill in the chart to compare two Native American groups.  A great research or review lesson.  Later have them revisit the page and include the Settlers.  Comparison is a higher-order thinking process.  Feel free to click on the link for a copy of the chart.

3rd Grade Geography

I found this amazing site that has all these 3-6 grade activities all linked and ready to go.  Its called the Utah Education Network.  See below.  Most of these games are from PBS Kids.

Geography Skills

• Eye of Rom
  Where You Can Win Cardinal Points.
• Find your Longitude
  Get lost a sea and then find your longitude.
• Symbols and Keys
  Discover the meaning behind map symbols and keys.
• Grid References
  Learn to read a map grid.
• Scale
  Maps can't show things the size they are in real life so they use scale.
• Paint the Map
  Paint the map of the USA to show how each state compares to the national mean or median.
• Reading a Map
  Have you heard of a contour map? Check out this interactive and find out how to use one.
• Map Match
  Are we there yet? Use a map to find out.

Geography Games

• Coast to Coast
  Test your Geography Knowledge.
• Geography Quizzes
  Test your geography knowledge with these quizzes.
• Market Manager
  Distribute ice cream equally to your friends and be a great manager.
• Continent Matching
  Match the name to the correct continent.
• Network Challenge
  Find the best path from your start city to your destination.
• Free Rice - Identify Countries on the Map
  Identify the countries correctly and earn rice for the United Nations World Food Program.
• Free Rice - World Capitals
  Select the correct capital and earn rice for the United Nations World Food Program.

BreakOut Professional Development Day

BreakOut Edu is a growing trend in education.  It's the brain child of James Sanders.  The purpose is presenting students with a problem (gamified) that leads to thought provoking, creative teamwork.  The bonus is that it gets students out of their seats.  Topics come in all shapes and sizes and many games have been created already by teachers like us that have the same objectives.  Start at www.breakoutedu.com and add /welcome after you've snagged your box.

Let's BreakOut of the box!

In Time Warp players are lost in time and have to navigate the history of communication in order to escape.  In the game, players will learn about various forms of communication. Starting with hieroglyphics, Incan knots and the Pony Express, all the way to video and the Internet. The main character in the game is Vint Cerf, one of the "fathers of the Internet."





The community of BreakOut Edu on facebook is beyond the most helpful group of educators, administrators and coaches I've ever worked with.

Check out https://www.facebook.com/breakoutedu to join and find so many different BreakOut's with tips.

There is a completely online version of BreakOut Edu that you can do without the box.  Check out this digital tools with literacy emphasis Breakout by Amanda Sandoval.

Adam Bellows joins BreakOut Edu.

IF YOU BROKE OUT TODAY YOU MAY DOWNLOAD YOUR BADGE HERE!