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This term, students explored Google Earth. Students loved sharing stories of how they had used Google Earth at home to explore the planet and all the places they hoped to travel to one day.
This term, students explored Google Earth. Students loved sharing stories of how they had used Google Earth at home to explore the planet and all the places they hoped to travel to one day.
As a class, we looked at how to make projects in Google Earth. Projects allow users to create customised maps and stories about places around the world by adding photos, videos and texts to markers on the map. During term 4, students explored celebrations around the world and they used Google Earth to make a presentation that marked points on the map where celebrations are held. They then researched the festivals or celebrations and added text, images and videos to make an informative and factual presentation about celebrations.
As a class, we looked at how to make projects in Google Earth. Projects allow users to create customised maps and stories about places around the world by adding photos, videos and texts to markers on the map. During term 4, students explored celebrations around the world and they used Google Earth to make a presentation that marked points on the map where celebrations are held. They then researched the festivals or celebrations and added text, images and videos to make an informative and factual presentation about celebrations.
Have a look at a presentation made using Google Earth.
Have a look at a presentation made using Google Earth.
Year 4 students then began looking at Scratch coding. With Scratch, you can program your own interactive stories, games, and animations. Click on the link to have a look at the Scratch website. It is free to create your own programs. You will need an account if you want to save your creations. It is free to set up an account, students just need a parent or carer's permission.
Year 4 students then began looking at Scratch coding. With Scratch, you can program your own interactive stories, games, and animations. Click on the link to have a look at the Scratch website. It is free to create your own programs. You will need an account if you want to save your creations. It is free to set up an account, students just need a parent or carer's permission.
If you are unfamiliar with Scratch and would like to learn more about it, you can watch this video
If you are unfamiliar with Scratch and would like to learn more about it, you can watch this video
Students explored the different blocks as they added the letters of their name and animated them so that each letter performed a different action. They did a fantastic job!
Students explored the different blocks as they added the letters of their name and animated them so that each letter performed a different action. They did a fantastic job!
Once students were comfortable using the basic blocks in Scratch, they began to create simple games that required a user input. Here is an example of a click game that one of the students in Year 4 created. In the game, the user is required to click on the balloon before it moves to a random position on the screen. The students were also able to add a score counter so that the user is able to keep track of their score throughout the game.
Once students were comfortable using the basic blocks in Scratch, they began to create simple games that required a user input. Here is an example of a click game that one of the students in Year 4 created. In the game, the user is required to click on the balloon before it moves to a random position on the screen. The students were also able to add a score counter so that the user is able to keep track of their score throughout the game.
We then combined the student's knowledge of the Makey Makey and their understanding of Scratch code to make interactive posters. Throughout the term, students continued to research and explore celebrations around the world with their classroom teachers. They displayed a keen interest in the different celebrations and had learnt so much with their teachers so we decided to encourage the students to showcase their learning through making an interactive poster.
We then combined the student's knowledge of the Makey Makey and their understanding of Scratch code to make interactive posters. Throughout the term, students continued to research and explore celebrations around the world with their classroom teachers. They displayed a keen interest in the different celebrations and had learnt so much with their teachers so we decided to encourage the students to showcase their learning through making an interactive poster.
Students started off by choosing the celebrations that they wanted to explore in their poster and then they created a program using Scratch to add facts and images to their presentation.
Students started off by choosing the celebrations that they wanted to explore in their poster and then they created a program using Scratch to add facts and images to their presentation.
Students then created a poster on a piece of cardboard. Once all of the elements of their project were complete, students attached the Makey Makey to the conductive elements of their poster. They then opened the Scratch program they had created on the laptop and plugged the Makey Makey into the laptop. Students did a wonderful job designing and making their interactive posters.
Have a look at just a few in action!
In Term 4, we were lucky enough to have access to a 3D Printer. To make the most of this opportunity, Year 4 students were asked to create a design that could be printed on the 3D printer. We started by looking at how 3D Printers work and, as a class, we watched time lapse videos of statues being printed.
In Term 4, we were lucky enough to have access to a 3D Printer. To make the most of this opportunity, Year 4 students were asked to create a design that could be printed on the 3D printer. We started by looking at how 3D Printers work and, as a class, we watched time lapse videos of statues being printed.
Students were then introduced to an online 3D design program called Tinkercad. After learning the different controls and how to insert, move and edit objects, students began creating their designs. As students had been discussing celebrations in class, they were asked to make a snowflake decoration that could be used to decorate a Christmas tree. Students worked hard to design their snowflakes and used their problem-solving skills to adjust the designs so they fit the size criteria.
Students were then introduced to an online 3D design program called Tinkercad. After learning the different controls and how to insert, move and edit objects, students began creating their designs. As students had been discussing celebrations in class, they were asked to make a snowflake decoration that could be used to decorate a Christmas tree. Students worked hard to design their snowflakes and used their problem-solving skills to adjust the designs so they fit the size criteria.
Here are some of their designs and photos of students creating them:
Here are some of their designs and photos of students creating them:
Once the student's designs were created, they were then exported and sent to the 3D Printer. It took about an hour to print 3 snowflakes so it was quite a long process printing the designs but the students enjoyed watching videos of the printing process and looking at the finished products. Not all snowflake designs printed successfully but this was a valuable learning experience as to what shapes and designs work well when printed in a 3D printer.
Once the student's designs were created, they were then exported and sent to the 3D Printer. It took about an hour to print 3 snowflakes so it was quite a long process printing the designs but the students enjoyed watching videos of the printing process and looking at the finished products. Not all snowflake designs printed successfully but this was a valuable learning experience as to what shapes and designs work well when printed in a 3D printer.
Have a look at the printer in action!
Have a look at the printer in action!
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