Videos
Student Technology Use
VIRTUAL REALITY: ANIMAL ADAPTATIONS EXPEDITION
Students in Mrs. Rudebusch and Mr. Reponen's 7th grade Science classes were treated to a Google Expedition to the Borneo rainforest where they took a closer look at the adaptations of the animals that live there. Some animals included a baby reticulated python, a cicada, two types of praying mantis and a rhinoceros beetle.
BREAKOUT EDU: CAT IN THE HAT
Students in Mrs. Houg's class were able to participate in a Breakout EDU game that centered around Dr. Seuss's "Cat in the Hat" book during Read Across America week. They had to work together to solve clues, which led them to unlock the box with a special prize inside.
VIRTUAL REALITY: VOLCANOES EXPEDITION
Students in Mrs. Heikes' first grade class wrapped up their learning on volcanoes with a Google Expedition to experience them in virtual reality. Students were able to explore the inner and outer workings of a volcano and take a look at what makes volcanoes such a powerful force. They also were able to get an up-close look at Tolbachik Volcano in Russia, and learn about why this region has so many volcanoes.
VIRTUAL REALITY SOLAR SYSTEM TOUR
Students in Mrs. Macemon, Mrs. Wheatley and Mrs. Mallak's classes were treated with a new opportunity for learning this week in the form of a virtual reality field trip across the solar system. Students started by creating a Google Drawing about their research topic as part of a unit on the Solar System. They had the chance to get a front row seat to motions of the planets by viewing them through the View Master Space app.
BREAKOUT EDU: Merry Grinchmas
Several Kindergarten classes took advantage of a fun and engaging activity called Breakout EDU during their Grinch Day festivities in December. Students were tasked with unlocking a box with 5 varied locks. They had to solve clues and work as a team in order to see what was inside.
TIMELINES IN GOOGLE DRAWING
Mrs. Madsen and Mrs. Moore decided to shake up their 5th grade timeline project by building on their students' prior use of Google Drawing. Students created a timeline from scratch, conducted research, and pulled important dates from their book on Harriet Tubman to plot information into their timelines. They also got to showcase their individuality and creativity in the design process.
MYSTERY SKYPE
Mrs. Withers' 4th Grade class participated in a Mystery Location call with a classroom in Albert Lea, MN (though her students didn't know that at first!) A mystery call works when two classrooms ask each yes or no questions to eventually guess the location of the school.
TESSELLATIONS in GOOGLE DRAWING
Students in 5th Grade Math utilized Google Drawings to showcase their creativity and knowledge of Tessellations as a culminating activity. See some of their creations below!
QR CODE SCAVENGER HUNT
Mrs. Picha's Spanish classes were treated to a fun activity where they worked together in groups to locate QR codes that were strategically placed throughout the school building. When scanned, each code played a video clue created by Mrs. Picha. Students had to listen to the clue and translate it to locate the next code, and submitted final answers in Google Forms.
TOUCHCAST and GREEN SCREENS
Students in 1st Grade designed posters on kindness and recorded their statements in front of a Green Screen! We used TouchCast to merge the clips into the video below in honor of Kindness Week at West Elementary in 2016.
TOUCHCAST and GREEN SCREENS
6th Grade students had the opportunity to create a welcome video for incoming students to Hutchinson Middle School. Keri Buker, HMS Counselor, utilized TouchCast and a green screen to create the effects seen in these videos. She utilized student and teacher interviews to help incoming students feel more comfortable with the change.