Students used the Makey Makey kits to create games in Innovations Class .
“ We know that for much of what we teach them , they won ’ t see the benefits until later ,” said Hudak , who also noted that his colleagues are already providing positive feedback about the course , even though they are just in their third rotation of students .
Another new course that is part of the 30-day rotation at the Middle School is Introduction to Innovation , which includes a sample of the BCIT ( Business , Communications and Information Technology ) offerings that will be offered to the students in 7th and 8th grade and beyond .
Taught by Jessica Ferragonio , the course incorporates lessons on coding , small circuitry , and computing as the bridge between
A PARADE OF CREATIVITY AT MCMURRAY
what they were introduced to at McMurray Elementary and what they will have the opportunity to do in more extensive courses in the coming years .
“ A big part of this class is problem solving ,” said Ferragonio . “ They are working with peers , solving challenges as a team and working on communication skills .”
Students have the chance to use CoderZ , an online robotics learning environment where they can hone their skills and work on basic small circuitry skills with the Makey Makey kits . One recent class project involved the students learning that the world is full of conductive objects and materials – they used the kits and their computers to turn fruit into musical instruments .
“ When I showed them what we would be doing , they were amazed ,” added Ferragonio . “ The projects are fun , and they don ’ t realize all the skills they are really learning . It ’ s great to see it when it all eventually clicks for them .”
While all those new skills sink it , they are having a lot of fun with the hands-on lessons .
“ We set up a framework and let our amazing team of teachers get creative with these new courses ,” said Middle School Principal Adam Sikorski . “ Students are really enjoying the classes and learning important skills that will benefit them for years to come .” eters Township
PETERS TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
We love it when a plan comes together . Lesson planning in the classroom must be detailed and organized down the smallest details – but when you take one lesson that involves three classes and three teachers , you take that to a whole new level .
This winter , McMurray Elementary teachers Alan Mathieu ( Library and Media Services ), Stacy McCartney ( Computers ) and Kelly Rutkowski ( Art ) teamed up to create a lesson for students that tied in activities in all three classes .
The lessons centered around two stories that Mathieu introduced in the library . The fourth grade story was “ How to Catch a Turkey ” by Adam Wallace , while the fifth grade lesson centered around “ Balloons Over Broadway ” by Melissa Sweet .
“ I had read the stories with those grade levels last year with a great response from the students ,” said Mathieu . “ After talking with Stacy , we knew we could do even more with it and we drew in Kelly to incorporate Art as well .”
While the stories planted the seed , the students got busy in Computers and Art Class to bring the projects home .
In Art Class , students designed their turkey ( fourth grade ) and their balloon ( fifth grade ), but those designs took careful planning . After some brainstorming , they knew the challenge ahead of them .
“ There were limitations in time and materials ,” Rutkowski said . “ Particularly for the balloons they had to the think about weight and balance , and not just the character they wanted to create .”
Many of the materials that were used to construct the balloons and trap were from McMurray ’ s MakerSpace , that was supported by the school ’ s Student Council Fundraiser .
4th graders learned to program their Ozobots to get ready for the turkey trap .
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