The Solar Eclipse is coming - Get your resources

The next solar eclipse is this Monday, April 8, 2024. In order to engage elementary students with the wonder of a solar eclipse, providing digital resources can offer an interactive and educational experience. Through carefully curated online platforms, students can access a variety of materials including videos, simulations, and informative articles tailored to their age group, allowing them to grasp the science behind this celestial event in an accessible manner. Interactive maps illustrating the path of totality, live streaming of the eclipse, and virtual reality simulations can transport students directly into the phenomenon, fostering curiosity and understanding. Additionally, incorporating interactive quizzes or games can make learning about eclipses both fun and informative, encouraging active participation and retention of knowledge. By leveraging digital resources, educators can enhance students' learning experiences, making the solar eclipse a memorable and enriching event in their academic journey.

Link to lower elementary resources

Link to upper elementary resources

Link to resources

Teaching Resources for the Eclipse

STEM in Kindergarten

In our kindergarten classes, our students engage in hands-on STEM activities. In March, we had the challenge of constructing bridges capable of supporting a cup filled with shiny pennies. Armed with colorful pipe cleaners, clay, and an abundance of creativity, these budding engineers delved into the realms of science, technology, engineering, and math. With giggles and determination, they experimented with different designs, applying basic principles of balance and stability. Through trial and error, they learned the importance of structural integrity and problem-solving, all while fostering a love for STEM that will undoubtedly shape their future endeavors. As their bridges took shape, so did their confidence, as they celebrated each success and embraced each setback as an opportunity to learn and grow. Indeed, in our classrooms, the foundations of innovation are being laid, one cup of pennies at a time.

Digital Resources for April

April is Poetry Month Easter Digital Library Earth Day is April 22 For more digital resources, check out our website.

Tri-Town School Educators Participate in Professional Development

This week during early release days, our Instructional Assistants in the Tri-Town School Union participated in PD for technology. Elementary school educators engaging in professional development for Google, edtech programs, and smartboards are equipped with essential tools to enhance their teaching methodologies and engage students in innovative learning experiences. Through these programs, educators learn to leverage Google's suite of educational tools, integrate educational technology seamlessly into their curriculum, and maximize the potential of smartboards to create interactive and dynamic lessons. Such professional development not only empowers educators to adapt to the evolving educational landscape but also fosters creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration among students, preparing them for success in the digital age.

3D Design with Tinkercad in 5th Grade

Fifth graders at Howe Manning are collaborating with each other in their Artovation and Innovation classes. They are working on building “Food Trucks'' with a partner using innovative designs and activities. To further extend their project, they are using Tinkercad, an online 3D modeling program, to design some awesome wheels for their cardboard creations! Think of Tinkercad like a digital playground where ideas are brought to life. Mrs. Nasser taught the students how to use different shapes, tools, and colors to design wheels that are just right for the cardboard projects. Once they designed their perfect wheel, it was printed using a Prusa 3D printer, turning their digital creation into a real-life object ready to roll!

To learn more about Tinkercad, click HERE.

Canva in 6th grade ELA classes for PSAs for Charities

I had the opportunity to work with our 6th grade students in the ELA classes at Howe Manning to show them how to create projects in the educational technology program Canva. Their task was to research their favorite charity and create a PSA to share with their classmates for their Persuasive In an inspiring display of creativity and compassion, sixth-grade students have harnessed the power of Canva to craft compelling PSA videos aimed at supporting a chosen charity. With enthusiasm and determination, these young minds utilized the user-friendly design platform to convey heartfelt messages and raise awareness for their cause. Motivated by a desire to make a difference, the students dedicated their time and effort researching information then created impactful videos to compel others to contribute directly to the charity through donations, showcasing their commitment to philanthropy and community service. Check out some of the videos.

The Northeast by Isabel

Bibliography by McKinley

Digital Resources for March

St. Patrick's Day Resources

Women's History Month