ELEMENTARY NEWS
IN THE CLASSROOM AT MOORE SCHOOL
Our classrooms have been busy the past few weeks with rich learning experiences that have cut across grade levels and have taught students about democratic processes . Peeking inside the doors to our fourth-grade classrooms we are highlighting three exciting learning experiences that Miss Downey and Mrs . Gruntz put together for our students . The spot-lighted lessons are a mock election with a twist , a STEAM arcade for the first grade , and learning about geography with the help of family and friends . rentwood Borough SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
MOCK-ELECTIONS WITH A TWIST- DESK PETS FOR PRESIDENT !
As part of a unit on how government works , the fourth-grade students engaged in a mock-election . Instead of the usual voting for students to the positions of class president and vice president , the fourth graders elected their desk pets . Desk pets are small , squishy critters that can be augmented with various accessories and friends . Everyone student has a teacher provided desk pet . As part of the classroom management system , students can earn additional desk pets and accessories as rewards for having all of their materials , turning in their work , and being good classroom citizens .
At Moore School there are two fourth grade classes , one class ‘ party ’ was named the Democats and the other class ‘ party ’ was the Wolf Pack . Students were randomly partnered , and the partners decided which desk pet would run for class president and which would run for vice president . Groups were required to have a campaign slogan and poster . The groups also created a video telling why they had the best candidates .
All students voted after watching the videos , reviewing the posters , and using a QR code . Teachers and staff members were also invited to vote for their favorite candidates . It was then narrowed down to one set of candidates from each party , and we held a final vote and tallied our winners . This project encouraged students to work collaboratively across curriculums . They had a writing component , social studies connection and math was used to tally the votes . All students enjoyed the process of learning to vote . The winning desk pet group received hand-made trophies made by Mrs . Gruntz ’ s mother !
STEAM ARCADE FOR FIRST GRADE While waiting for the excitement of spring , in the winter students end up spending a lot of time in-doors and get restless for fun things to do . Miss Downey used the winter lull as an opportunity to develop a STEAM unit for both fourth and first-grade students , incorporating science , technology , engineering , arts , and mathematics . Fourth grade students channeled their inner engineers to design and craft a fun-filled arcade games extravaganza for their first-grade friends .
Kicking things off , students watched a video about a boy who made his own arcade out of cardboard boxes . Taking inspiration from this , our young geniuses used the engineering design process to whip up an arcade of their own ! They built classic games like skeeball , basketball , and air hockey , as well as some totally unique games that had never been seen before- Arrange the Ice Cream , anyone ?
The best part ? Seeing their creations come to life as the little ones played with delight , grinning from ear to ear . Austin S . was thrilled to watch the younger kids play his game , while Dean loved designing his game . Brian ' s favorite moment was watching the joyous laughter of the little ones . Zo-Then was impressed with the uber-creative vibe that had taken over the entire fourth grade !
74 BRENTWOOD-BALDWIN-WHITEHALL