Katie Jeske
3rd Grade
Meet the Maker: Katie Jeske
My name is Katie Jeske and I am a 3rd grade teacher at Elmwood Elementary. Maker culture is important because it instills empathy towards real world problems.
Provocation: How might we make a positive impact on wild or domesticated animals who are negatively affected by humans?
Maker Plan: 3rd Grade Reading about animals to identify issues, generate empathy and create solutions.
Animals have a difficult time coexisting with humans, and often mistreated. This idea connects to the Reader’s Workshop curriculum, specifically Unit 3 (nonfiction) and Unit 5 (animal nonfiction). Animals are being mistreated, hurt, killed, and endangered. Students want to help save animal lives or improve their living conditions.
What we are making, Why we are Making, Who we are Making for:
We are designing a product to make animal's life better.
We are making to improve animal's quality of life.
We are making for the animals!
Maker Skill Builders & Highlights
Building to Think
Provided only pipe cleaner, create a vision of character trait
Learn More/ Try it (hyperlink)
Developing innovative thinking
Disruptus asks players to look at objects and ideas and use different approaches
Authentic Audience
Wisconsin DNR staff to provide meaningful feedback so students can revise, reflect and retest.
Authentic Audience
Students designed and engineered a tangible prototype to provide a positive impact on Wisconsin animals.
Student Product Samples
Researching their animals as a group
Students brainstorm problems and solutions using the student template
Students create, reflect, revise and retest their prototype
Example of a final product of a prototype
Additional Teacher Resources & Reproducibles:
Must know tips for Teachers:
-Starting with skill builders is a great way to start Making
-Start by getting familiar with maker process & launch cycle. Worry less about the product and more about the the process/educational experience for the students.
For pacing purposes, remember to implement the plan and discuss animal empathy throughout/prior the unit. In addition, designate a week for the prototyping stages.