Blog Posts

Interactive Lessons: Digital Discovery and Innovation

5/3/2014

How long does it take to get a spacecraft all the way from Earth to Mars?

NASA: HOW TO GET TO MARS

MARS ONE

MARS DIRECT

Grades 6-8
How Can the Mars Rover Impact Our Future?
Lesson 2 0f 2
Communication and Collaboration
Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others.

Develop cultural understanding and global awareness by engaging with learners of other cultures.

Essential Question:
Are the plans to settle Mars worth the money and risk to human life?(Be prepared to defend your answer!)

Watch the video as a whole class.
In pairs - use iPads to watch the video assigned to your group. UseExplain Everything to record and submit 5 new facts you have learned about travel to Mars. Answers must include vocabulary used in video clips.
Open the app BE A MARTIAN > go to SEE > go to ANIMATIONS >Watch NASA: Mars Evolution. In your small group identify 3 similarities to earth.
Exit Ticket: Please turn in a written response to the question, "Would you be willing to visit Mars in when you are 35 years old? Why or why not?" You must have a 3-5 sentence response for your team that references information you learned during this lesson.

Interactive Lessons: Digital Discovery and Innovation

5/3/2014

What is a paleontologist and why do we need them?

How many dinosaurs can you identify in the video clip?

GRADES K-2
T.Rex and Technology - Lesson 1 of 3
Creativity and innovation
Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology.

Use models and simulations to explore complex systems and issues.

Essential Question:
Is it possible for a paleontologist to uncover clues that would identify the color of a dinosaurs skin, eyes or feathers? What would the clues include?

Watch the video as a whole class.
In pairs - use iPads to explore Dinosaurs A.M. Approach to Paleontology
Be prepared to answer how, why, and where paleontologist do their research. After using the Dinosaur app can you explain how paleontologist put dinosaurs in different groups?
Nice to Know: Paleontologists are scientists who study the history of life on Earth. In particular, paleontologists often focus on organisms that lived long, long ago. - See more at Woneropolis.

Interactive Lesson: Digital Discovery and Innovation

5/3/2014

Can you identify 5 tools of technology this spy uses?

iPad App - Spy Tools

GRADES 3-5
How To Be A Spy Kid - Lesson 1 of 3
Creativity and innovation
Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology.

Apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or processes.

Essential Question:
What skills do you need to practice to improve your ability to recall details and events more accurately? How do details help you with reasoning and logic?

Watch the video as a whole class
In pairs - use iPads to read How To Be A Spy Kid
Use the iPad App: Spy Tools to explore tools of technology for this job. Create a list of innovations or products that would improve the kit.
Identify 3 science, technology, engineering or math connections used in the spy kit that are used to help decode a logic problem.

Interactive Lesson Plans: Digital Discovery and Innovation

5/3/2014

Science Fiction or Real Life?

Why does Nasa hope to put a man on Mars by 2030?

GRADES 6-8
How Can the Mars Rover Impact Our Future?
Lesson 1 of 2

Creativity and innovation
Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology.

Create original works as a means of personal or group expression

Watch the video as a whole class and reflect on the implied challenges the scientists refer to regarding the Mars Rover.
In pairs - answer the following questions: What would you have programmed the Mars Rover to do? What value would your program have for the future? How did the video influence your answers?
Use iPads to access the app Midnight Planets and be prepared to post 3 new observations or questions you have on Padlet.com. You must use your first name to receive credit for this assignment.

STEM INTERACTIVE: Earth Day Lessons

4/22/2014

WATER CYCLE VIDEO

WATER CYCLE iPad App

Grades K-2
The Dinosaur Drank Your Water
Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making
Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems, and make informed decisions using appropriate digital tools and resources.

Identify and define authentic problems, and significant questions for investigation

Essential Question:
Millions of years ago dinosaurs drank water. Could we be drinking the same water droplets dinosaurs drank? (Be prepared to defend your answer!)

Watch the video as a whole class.
In pairs - use iPads to explore WATER CYCLE APP and explore 3 different ways a water droplet travels through the water cycle.
Pair share your answers to the question: Why do scientist believe water is never added or subtracted from planet earth? How can we be certain that the research results are correct?
Exit Ticket: Sketch 3 phases of a water droplet.

SAVE THE WORLD!!!

Grades 3-5
Earth, Energy and You!
Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making
Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems, and make informed decisions using appropriate digital tools and resources.

Identify and define authentic problems, and significant questions for investigation

Essential Question:
Would you be able to to change the world by changing the way you use energy? (Be prepared to defend your answer!)

Watch the video as a whole class.
In pairs - use your laptop to complete the energy challenge SAVE THE WORLD
In pairs - sketch a rough draft of tool of technology you would like to invent to help save our planet. Provide a 3-5 sentence description on your invention.
Exit Ticket: Exchange your sketch/invention with a peer group. Write a constructive comment or question for your peers review. Please turn in your sketch to receive credit.

FOOD INC.

READ IN PAIRS: 9 Ways That Processed Foods Are Slowly Killing People

Grades 6-8
Who Controls Our Food Cycle?
Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making
Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems, and make informed decisions using appropriate digital tools and resources.

Identify and define authentic problems, and significant questions for investigation

Essential Question:
When did the food we eat turn into a health hazard for our great nation? (Be prepared to defend your answer!)

Watch the video as a whole class. Take notes on the video to use in your EduCreations presentation.
READ IN PAIRS: 9 Ways That Processed Foods Are Slowly Killing People
In pairs - be creative and brainstorm 3 solutions that could be used to protect your brain biochemistry from being hijacked by the food you eat.
In pairs open the iPad app Educreations and create a short presentation with at least 5 slides that explain how food is slowing killing us and/or solutions to the problem. Email the presentation to your teacher for credit. 20 pts
Bonus points: Leave a polite comment to the author of the blog.

STEM: INTERACTIVE LESSON PLANS

4/12/2014

What would you do to protect your baby?

DINOSAURS HD

Grades K-2
T.Rex and Technology - Lesson 3 of 3
Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making
Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems, and make informed decisions using appropriate digital tools and resources.

Identify and define authentic problems, and significant questions for investigation

Essential Question:
What can fossils tell us about the lives of dinosaurs? (Be prepared to defend your answer!)

Watch the video as a whole class.
In pairs - use iPads to explore Dinosaurs HD and explore 3 different fossils.
Pair share your answers to the question: What\ type of challenges do paleontologist face when uncovering bones? How can we be certain that the research results are correct?
Exit Ticket: What skills does a paleontologist need to be successful?

What is the code of the human body called? How many letters are used in the code?

CRYPTO CLUB

Grades 3-5
How To Be A Spy Kid - Lesson 3 of 3
Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making
Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems, and make informed decisions using appropriate digital tools and resources.

Identify and define authentic problems, and significant questions for investigation

Essential Question:
How is a strand of DNA similar to an encryption code? (Be prepared to defend your answer!)

Watch the video as a whole class.
In pairs - use your laptop to create an encryption code on Crypto Club to become familiar with how encryption works.
In pairs take the challenge Desert Oasis Treasure Hunt.
Exit Ticket: Answer the following questions on a separate piece of paper for credit. How are tools of encryption used everyday to protect you and your family? Who creates codes to protect you?

Can you name the philosopher who identified problems with the method of water distribution 2,000 years ago? Has anything changed since then?

Grades 6-8
Water Cycle Disrupted - Now What?
Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making
Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems, and make informed decisions using appropriate digital tools and resources.

Identify and define authentic problems, and significant questions for investigation

Essential Question:
Who is responsible for recharging ground water?

Watch the video as a whole class. Take notes on the video to use in your Creaza presentation.
In pairs - be creative and brainstorm 3 solutions that could be used to protect and recharge ground water.
In pairs open the iPad app Creaza and create a cartoon with at least 5 slides that explain your solutions to protecting and recharging ground water. Email the presentation to your teacher for credit. 20 pts
Exit Ticket: In 3-5 sentences answer the question, "Is it possible to revers the flow of water in the aquifer?" 10 pts

Interactive Lesson Plans: Digital Discovery and Innovation

4/6/2014

Name three 21st Century mammals similar to the T-rex? Identify specific senses the mammals share.

Which of these pictures do not belong?

Grades K-2
T.Rex and Technology - Lesson 2 of 3
Communication and Collaboration
Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others.

Communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences using a variety of media and formats.

Essential Question:
Why are dinosaurs important to study in school? How does learning about dinosaurs from the past help you in science today? (Be prepared to defend your answer!)

Watch the video as a whole class.
In pairs - use iPads to explore MARCH OF THE DINOSUARS. Create a list of observations identifying the different senses the T-Rex used to hunt prey successfully.
Open the app SKETCH TOY and illustrate the 3 senses the video highlighted on the T-Rex.
Email your sketch to your teacher.

How good are your powers of observation?

Goals to target: Short Term Memory, Working Memory and Sequencing

Grades 3-5
How To Be A Spy Kid - Lesson 2 of 3
Communication and Collaboration
Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others.

Interact, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts, or others employing a variety of digital environments and media.

Essential Question:
Does being smart include the ability to observe your surroundings and recall details with a short or long term memory? (Be prepared to defend your answer!)

Watch the video as a whole class.
In pairs - use iPads to write / record your answers to the 3 video clips on eduCreations. Pair - share your team responses with another group.
Open the app VISMORY and play the game. What techniques did you use to improve your memory?
Exit ticket: What are the 3 types of memory? How does memory make you "smart"? Each group should turn in the answers on a piece of paper with everyone's name listed to receive credit.

How long does it take to get a spacecraft all the way from Earth to Mars?

NASA: HOW TO GET TO MARS

MARS ONE

MARS DIRECT

Grades 6-8
How Can the Mars Rover Impact Our Future? Lesson 2 0f 2
Communication and Collaboration
Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others.

Develop cultural understanding and global awareness by engaging with learners of other cultures.

Essential Question:
Are the plans to settle Mars worth the money and risk to human life?(Be prepared to defend your answer!)

Watch the video as a whole class.
In pairs - use iPads to watch the video assigned to your group. Use Explain Everything to record and submit 5 new facts you have learned about travel to Mars. Answers must include vocabulary used in video clips. (20 points possible)
Open the app BE A MARTIAN > go to SEE > go to ANIMATIONS > Watch NASA: Mars Evolution. In your small group identify 3 similarities to earth.
Exit Ticket: Please turn in a written response to the question, "Would you be willing to visit Mars in when you are 35 years old? Why or why not?" You must have a 3-5 sentence response for your team that references information you learned during this lesson. (5 points possible)

March 01st, 2014

3/1/2014

Hello!

Our computer lab will be receiving a state of the art 3D printer in the next week or two. YEA!!!

What you need to know is that over the past 5 years I have been building a program that has given all of our students the belief that what they learn in Tech Lab is simply the language of the future…their future. The majority of our K-8 students are focused on chasing global leaders like China, Russia and India. (Mrs. Dietz…glad you used those countries in your Olympic lesson plans lol!) Typing, Google Drive and Microsoft Office are viewed as basic organizational tools. Our kids seriously have their eyes set on a greater purpose for technology integration.

Our kids understand how to write computer programs, collaborate with peers and global leaders through the use of multimedia, and store and retrieve what they need in the cloud. The younger kids are really the most impressive :)

What our students write, collaborate and store in their personal cloud is a reflection of their individual thoughts, voice or unique idea. And boy…do they like to share!!!

Most of our students take for granted how empowered they have become through the use of technology.

The 3D printer will be used to further empower our students seamless alignment of core curriculum in the lab. Science, Technology, Engineering and Math will come to life as they produce unique products on the printer to share with the community.

PLEASE :) Watch the videos on this link (they are super short) to understand what your students believe to be a common truth.

Thanks! And if you have any questions or want to print something for your classroom let me know.

http://talesofa3dprinter.blogspot.com/p/how-3d-printing-works-various-videos.html

We are truly standing on the edge of the next creative revolution :)

I LOVE MY JOB!!!

Blessings today and always :)

Alicia

The Best K - 5 Interactive Sites for Education

2/8/2014

I love the amount of new content that is updated often on this site!!!

Think About It: The field of education requires creative individuals who have a unique skill set of organization, eye for detail, and the ability to deliver instruction to a broad range of learners. Designing units of interest, curating resources, and finding time to share tools of success with peers regardless of what prep time does or does not permit is the benchmark of a master teacher. I was delighted to find Interactive Sites for Education, designed by Karen Ogen as a site to encourage exploration of interactive web tools to enrich core curriculum.
In the Classroom: Interactive Sites for Education should inspire all of us to use a bit more augmented reality for classroom instruction. The site is clean, intuitive to navigate and an exceptional resource for whole class, small group and homework support. The site is updated to reflect 2013-2014 and supports much of what is found in the Core Curriculum Standards.
To My Surprise: This site is free of advertisement or links that would allow students to leave the suggested content. I am always pleased to promote individuals who go above and beyond their own school site to build a global classroom for all of our 21st Century learners.

iPads + Kids = Internet Concerns

1/4/2014

Net Safe Utah

Impact of Images Online

Think About It: Every parent wants to make sure their child is equipped with tools of technology for academic success. Apple has done a fabulous job of advocating for the use of iPads in almost every educational setting. The unfortunate downside to Apple’s campaign is the lack of meaningful security features the iPad provides. Apple Support recommends turning off Safari as an option for parental safety control. The message from Apple indicates that ensuring internet safety for a child is and always should be a parents responsibility.

In The Classroom: Students of all ages (parents too) often request help logging onto the internet while at school. This type of interaction provides me an opportunity to communicate and demonstrate how most interactive apps lead to unintentional socialization with “Frangers”…friends in the game - but strangers in real time. The app Clash of Clans is a perfect example of the “Franger Danger” many parents unknowingly support. I encourage every parent to ask their child about what they know regarding this app.

To My Surprise: The need for parents and teachers to actively research and understand the multiple access points electronic devices provide for their children to discover people, content and unrestricted exposure to virtual environments is vital for internet safety. Parents who help their children understand the logic of waiting to vote, drive, and consume alcohol based on a specific level of maturity should easily correlate this same type of need for discipline and maturity to make wise decisions regarding internet activity on their devices. Having children turn in their electronic devices at bedtime, sharing all passwords and accounts, and having kids limit the amount of apps on their devices would be a great starting point for addressing internet safety concerns.

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Written by:
Alicia Roberts

I am blessed to be a mom of four amazing children, and an owner of a beautiful rescue puppy. I have taught for 20 years and am passionate about my calling as Principal at Bella Vista College Preparatory. I speak nationally about STEM as a Today's Learn Specialist for Grand Canyon University. Please feel free to contact me to inquire about STEM+ Workshops or Curriculum Design.
[email protected]