K-2 Home to School Blog
STEAM News
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Remote Learning Summary & Report Card Narrative
TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING:
The focus of remote learning for STEAM classes was to keep students engaged in their learning and supplement learning that had already happened during the school year. Classes were updated weekly and focused on a wide area of topics that can be accessed here: https://sites.google.com/a/hatfieldps.net/mikeapril/home/k-2-home-to-school-blog . Of particular note are the Typing Club, Code.org, and Kids & Engineering websites. These resources are used extensively throughout the school year and were also available during remote learning. Typing Club teaches touch typing in an engaging and effective way. Code.org teach computer science while Kids & Engineering has links to many strategy games and puzzles, as well as links to art and music apps. Overall these websites help students think creatively and reason systematically. All of these resources were accessible to students during remote learning. The following is a brief list of topics that were covered
April 4: Digital Citizenship topics: How do we go places safely online? What kinds of information should I keep to myself when I use the internet?
April 12: Find the Technology & Cyber Five Internet Safety
April 19: PBS Kids games: Park Builder, Seed Soaring, Nature Cat
April 27 Design your own emoji
May 1: DIY Builds with Jay Mankita of Playful Engineers
May 10: Smithsonian Science Education Center’s simulations: Tami's Tower & Shutterbugs: Wiggle & Stomp
May 17: Digital Breakouts
May 24: Smithsonian Science Education Center’s simulations: Penguin Protection, Light Up the Cave, Home on the Range, & Glider Guide
May 24 2020
Below are simulation games from the Smithsonian Science Education Center. Each of these games can be used on a laptop, Chromebook, tablet, or smartphone. Download from the Amazon, Apple, or Google App store to play on a tablet or smart phone.
These activities are in each student's Google Classroom Technology page.
Penguin Protection: How Do Living Things Stay Safe and grow?
Light Up the Cave How Can We Light Our Way in the Dark?
Home on the Range: How Can We Find the Best Place for a Plant to Grow?
Glider Guide: Soar above five real world terrains in the United States while learning about different types of land and water features
May 17, 2020
These links will be posted to student's STEAM Classroom.
A Breakout is like an escape room with educational content! Instead of breaking out of a room, students must work together to figure out the combinations to actual locks that are attached to a box with something hidden inside. A Digital Breakout is the same thing except digital locks and clues are used rather than physical locks and clues.
Here are links to the Digital Breakout that are posted to the STEAM Classrooms. Students are encouraged to work together with someone else on these.
For K students The Perfect Habitat A group of animals needs to find a place to live. They need your help to find the perfect habitat for them to find food and survive. Travel with them and solve the puzzles to help get them home!
For 1st Grade students: Around the World in 30 Days Lucy Motion is going to be taking a trip around the world next month. She needs to know what to pack for her trip. She will be traveling in all of the seasons. Can you help her?
For 2nd Grade students: Breakout Broadcast You are an employee at Breakout Broadcast, and you are in charge of making the schedules. You keep everything nice and organized in your blue binder, but last night it fell out of your bag and the papers spilled everywhere! You have a big scheduling meeting coming up; can you get everything organized and back in place before the meeting begins?
Bonus Tries
Going Buggy Who Let the Bugs In? Oh no! Our computer programs are buzzing, and beeping but not like they should. Bugs, real bugs, have gotten in and messed everything up. Please help rewrite the programs, beat the bugs and Break Out!
May 10, 2020
We are continuing with our building and engineering themes from last week with these online activities from the Smithsonian Science Education Center's: Game Center. The Smithsonian Science Education Center has been and continues to be a leader in cutting edge K-8 STEAM curriculum. Their game center offer online games and simulations that have clear learning objectives and are used by students around the world. Their commitment to providing high quality learning outcomes is evident in the following activities. Each activity has downloadable resources and other non computer ideas. These links will work on desktops, laptops and Chromebooks. These assignments are in students' Google Classroom accounts. I've also added this question: After playing one or both of these games describe one thing you learned that you already did not know?
Tami's Tower Let’s Think About Engineering (K-2) is an educational engineering design game that will help teach your student how to design a solution to a problem using basic engineering design principles. (For tablets or smartphones, download the app from the Amazon Apps & Games Store, Apple App Store, or Google Play Store.)
Shutterbugs: Wiggle & Stomp (K-1) teaches students how to describe movement and motion while visiting rare animals at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park. (For iPads or iPhones visit the Apple App Store)
May 1, 2020
Great News
Jay Mankita of Playful Engineers will be joining our MeetUps on Monday May 4th. Jay has over 30 years experience as a performer and has been facilitating engineering and maker space activities for Schools, Libraries, and other organizations for the last 5 years.
Here in Hatfield we've had the unique opportunity to work closely with Jay for the last 4 years. I've been inspired by his energy, enthusiasm, and passion for teaching and he has influenced many aspects of our STEAM program.
Jay will be giving an Online Session of his DIY BUILDS WITH HOUSEHOLD MATERIALS: Simple chain reaction parts you can build at home using repurposed materials. If you want to preview some ideas go here: https://www.playfulengineers.com/videos/
Please join us:
K-2 9:00-9:30 Join Hangouts Meet meet.google.com/fyy-oivu-egy Join by phone +1 231-742-8041 PIN: 543 447 180#
April 27, 2020
Design your own emoji
Objective: Students will learn what is an emoji and design their own emoji using a digital drawing app or any paper and writing material.
Emoji = is a small digital picture or icon that is used to express an idea or emotion.
Below are some memory games kids can play on their own:
According to Vocal.media these are the top reasons why playing memory games with children are beneficial: Improves a child’s critical thinking skills, Exercise for the brain, Sharpen problem-solving skills, Improve spatial skills, Enhance visual perception. of course you don't need a computer to play memory games. A simple deck of cards also works.
Emoji Coloring pages:
April 19, 2020
No MeetUps on Monday as we celebrate Patriots Day here in Massachusetts. We will resume MeetUps on Tuesday.
Last week we had four students share. One sharing was of a intact deer skull (with antlers) that a first grade student found while fishing with his dad. Two sharings were plants by 2nd graders, an apple plant started form a seed and a bean plant also started from a seed. A third sharing was a cardboard robot also created by a second grader. If you or your child would like to share something I will leave space in our MeetUps every week.
I was inspired by the plant sharings. So this week we will be investigating how seeds travel using the the PBS Kids website. We will watch the 5 video clips at the Nature Cat's Plants & Seeds web page. Total time for all clips is about 7 minutes. There are 2 games that go with these clips that reinforce concepts taught. I will show the students how to play the games. The links on the website for the games are not working but can be found below. There are more resources on this topic that you can do at home at the bottom of the Nature Cat's Plants & Seeds web site.
Games
If your child liked those here are more Nature Cat games.
MeetUp w/ Mr. A K-2
Monday & Tuesdays, 9:00 – 9:30am
meet.google.com/fyy-oivu-egy
Join by phone
+1 231-742-8041 PIN: 543 447 180#
April 12, 2020
This information is also being placed in each students Google Classroom Account under the STEAM class. It's best if they are logged into chrome with their student account before they join the Hangouts Meet but not necessary.
MeetUp w/ Mr. A K-2
Monday & Tuesdays, 9:00 – 9:30am
meet.google.com/fyy-oivu-egy
Join by phone
+1 231-742-8041 PIN: 543 447 180#
Topics discussed this week
April 4, 2020
MeetUp w/ Mr. A Recurring weekly on Monday and Tuesdays until May 9
9:00-9:30
meet.google.com/fyy-oivu-egy
Join by phone
+1 231-742-8041 PIN: 543 447 180#
This week I will be teaching these lessons From Common Sense Media.
Monday April 6 Safety in My Online Neighborhood: How do we go places safely online?
Tuesday April 7 That’s Private: What kinds of information should I keep to myself when I use the internet?
The Hatfield District is trying to consolidate information to parents and students. As a result teachers will post activities on Google classroom. You will see the codes below for each classroom. Parents are encouraged to join. Here is more information from the district about Google Chrome, Google Suite for Education, and Chromebooks. (i.e. how to log in etc.) HPS Remote Learning
Kindergarten: q4e3ys5
Mrs. Hudzik & Ms. Wendolowski's First Grade Remote Classroom Class code: n3ydndr
Grade 2 Ms. Hoey Class code: 34mza47
Ms. Robinson's Second Graders Class code: 2pi524s
March 27, 2020
On Monday March 30, and Tuesday, March 31 from 9:00-9:30 I will be offering a video chat with students called "MeetUp with Mr A". This is a time for me to connect with students and see what they are up to and ways I can support them. I will be using Google Meet for these meetups. Check your email for the code to access the video chat.
Monday will be a read aloud
Tuesday will be a virtual game of Boggle. Students should have a pad of paper and a pencil with them.
Suggestions for kids to do at home:
Build Chain reactions
Things to knock over
blocks
playing cards or index cards slightly bent
clothespins
cups - can also be cut to make a funnel
Connecting materials
paperclips or binder clips
tape
rubber bands
twist ties
string
Tracks
Aluminum foil can be bent
paper towel tubes cut in half
cut up pool noodles
cardboard
Other materials
ping pong ball
slinkies
styrofoam
Program Lightbot through a series of puzzles that teach sequencing, subroutines (procedures), and loops by lighting all of the blue tiles on the map!
March 19, 2020
I want to let you know of these great programming and coding resources we use at HES.
Code.org is a nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to computer science in schools. This website is excellent at teaching coding to all grade levels and works really well with non readers. I just added kindergarten students to our classes. If you want to access this great resource I will email your child's 'secret picture' by email. Access through my website, Kids & Engineering.
These are awesome code.org activities that are really engaging to kids. Some of the activities are a little advanced but if students progress through the lessons it will become easier for them.
Dance Party - Code a dance party featuring music by Katy Perry, Shawn Mendes, and more.
Minecraft - Use your creativity and problem solving skill to journey and explore new worlds.
AI for Oceans - Learn how AI and machine learning can be used to address world problems.
Flappy Code - Write your own flappy game code.
Coding in Astronomy - Learn about astronomy using Quorum, a programming language accessible to blind or visually impaired learners.
Scratch has an iPad version for young kids (ages 4-8) that's easy to use and very intuitive. We usually start Scratch in 3rd grade on a computer because it's more involved than the iPad version. For the highly motivated younger student they could try the computer version and learn to animate and program some very cool games.
Coding & programming phone apps for those who don't have a computer: (These we have not used at HES)
A charming mobile coding game that takes learners on an exciting adventure, while teaching the fundamentals of coding, like algorithms, pattern recognition, sequences, loops and conditionals. (for all ages)
Award-winning learn-to-code platform for kids ages 5-9. Solve puzzles and create games with The Foos while learning to code. Note: codeSpark is offering a free 3-month trial. Parent's email address and credit card information are required at signup. (for pre-readers through Grade 5)
March 17, 2020
Greetings Hatfield Families,
I've consolidated my communication with families to keep all of us from being overwhelmed in this time of information overload. However, you can still find access to to student work on the individual grades' STEAM NEWS websites.
My heart goes out to all of you and wish you health and wellness as we adjust to our new realities. My wish is that we all find ways to still connect with people and discover positive outcomes to this whole thing. Even though my parenting days are over my memories of parenthood are still fresh and I know how hard a disruption like this can be on parents and families. As I sit at my kitchen table watching snow flurries I wish I could be back at HES engaging with kids and teaching the units I planned.
In an ideal world we teachers would have been better prepared for online learning and set up systems for kids to access work and activities and even practiced them in school with kids. However we are now faced with trying to teach and engage with kids and families in a medium that we haven't tried yet. To this end I will give you short simple doable activities both online and off line you can do with your kids. These activities are all optional but I'm guessing you will find them to help with the boredom and tediousness that extended days at home with kids can bring.
Activities
K-2 students can access Typing Club at home. K students have not done this with me yet and will need supervision at the beginning to get them started. Username is firstinitiallastname@students.hatfieldps.net and pw is hatfield1 For instance Joe Smith would be jsmith@students.hatfieldps.net. There are a few exceptions when previous students have the same last name and first initial like these students: K: Marleigh, Kevin, Jacob L., Cooper, Carter; 2nd: Jeffrey, Morgan. Email me if you want their usernames or if you have questions. mapril@hatfieldps.net
My website Kids & Engineering has great links and activities to online games and puzzles. All these websites have been personally tested and vetted by me and students. Even though some have ads they are still pretty awesome. Just beware: It's very easy to click on ads or other linked games that are not as educational. Make sure you check out the links to your students grade level as well as the links on the bottom of my home page. I will be adding more links in the future.
Code.org is a great way to teach kids coding. Access through my website, Kids & Engineering. If Kids have forgotten their 'secret picture' email me. K students will be set up for this by Thursday.
Off Line Challenge adapted from the Little Bins for Little Hands blog Paper Bag Stem Challenge. Pick one of these challenges to do each day. Take a picture or a short video and post it to this link: Home to School Connection Photo Album. I would love to see what your kids are up to these days at home and it's a great way to share with other families.
NOT USED DURING REMOTE LEARNING
Based on the positive feedback from the Breakouts posted two weeks ago, this week's challenges will be more grade level Breakout activities. These links will be posted to student's Technology Google Classroom. If possible I would like students to answer the question I posted in the Classroom.
A Breakout is like an escape room with educational content! Instead of breaking out of a room, students must work together to figure out the combinations to actual locks that are attached to a box with something hidden inside. A Digital Breakout is the same thing except digital locks and clues are used rather than physical locks and clues.
Feel free to work on these with your children. In fact students are highly encouraged to work together with someone else on these. Students need to only complete one of these breakouts but can always work on more than one.
Age Recommendations: Any Family w/ elementary aged children
MINDFUL MADDIE TOPIC: MINDFULNESS, GRATITUDE, Content Area: Mindfulness
Kindergarten
DINO EXPLORER TOPIC: CLASSIFY AND COUNT OBJECTS IN CATEGORIES, CONTENT AREA: Math
SUMMER DAYS TOOPIC: EFFECTS OF SUNLIGHT, CONTENT AREA: Science, GRADE LEVEL: K
Grade 1
DANNY PLAYS PUTT-PUTT TOPIC: IDENTIFY CHARACTERS, SETTING AND MAJOR EVENTS IN A NARRATIVE TEXT, CONTENT AREA: English/Language Arts, Reading
SOUND MACHINE TOPIC: SOUND WAVES, CONTENT AREA: Science
Grade 2
DESIGN DECISIONS TOPIC: DEVELOPING POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS, CONTENT AREA: Science
EARTH TREASURE HUNT TOPIC: PLATE TECTONICS, CONTENT AREA: Science, Earth Science
STEAM News 19-20
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