Watch That Car Go!

Using a program called Robo Lab, students in 1st grade learned how to program a Lego car. They were given a series of challenges which culminated in a team race. Check out the videos and watch those cars go!

Podcasts By The Sea

Check out student created Podcasts here! 

Grade 1-All Around Manchester
Grade 1- Ocean Animals (coming soon!)
Grade 2-Continental Conversations (coming soon!)
Grade 3-Author Studies (coming soon!)
Grade 4-Poetry Podcasts (coming soon!)

Loving Lego Engineering

For the students in Grade 1 and 2 at Memorial School Legos become more than just a toy. Students here use these familiar tools to learn about engineering and teamwork. The Lego Engineering curriculum begins in first grade when students are introduced to the engineering process and use this knowledge to construct a sturdy wall, chair and program a motorized car. This knowledge is then applied in 2nd grade where students learn basic programming sentences to move their car forward, backward and at different times and speeds. They are given challenges to move their car specified distances at varied times and speeds all well developing their math, science and technology skills.

 

 

 

Bill Gates Asks Memorial 5th Graders for Help?

Alden reads the introduction to the Famous
Scientists Webquest to his 5th grade classmates
during Library class.

That's right!  Well...kind of.  This week in the library,  fifth graders are being introduced to a Webquest where they are called upon to assist billionaire, philanthropist and co-founder of Microsoft, Mr. Bill Gates, to identify the world's most significant scientist or inventor.

(Are you wondering what a Webquest is? Its an inquiry-based activity in which students obtain most or all information via the internet.  They allow students to use time wisely, focus on using the information vs just looking for information and allow students to analyze, synthesize and evaluate facts to come to a conclusion usually regarding a particular scenario, which is often fictional.)

This week students are learning about their task to find the greatest thinker in the world.  In the coming weeks, they will use online sources to research biographical information about one great scientist or inventor. They will learn about that individual's major contributions and impact on the world during Library class. They will then take their findings to Technology class and create a persuasive PowerPoint presentation that they will share with their classmates.  After all students have presented their work, they will vote on which great thinker they believe should be the namesake of a new, non-profit,  state-of-the-art technology complex sponsored by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

For a closer look at this fun, collaborative research project, go to Caught in the Web on the MMES webpage, click on the "Webquests" tab and check out "5th Grade Famous Scientists" !

Gearing Up For Lego Engineering!

In the months to come students in Grades 1, 2 and 3 will be starting Lego Engineering units in the Technology Lab. They follow the Lego Engineering Design Cycle to solve Lego Engineering Challenges. Challenges include building a sturdy wall, designing and building a chair for Mr. Bear, programming a Lego car to move forward and backward 10 feet, hypothesizing, programming and measuring the distance of a Lego car at multiple speeds and building and programming a Lego Alligator to move with sound.

Use Your Netsmartz-Brought To You By Grade 3

Students in Grade 3 want you to know how to use your NetSmartz! Each student in third grade created a poster in Microsoft Word that illustrated a specific Internet Safety Skill. Using Microsoft Word they learned how to import pictures, manipulate them, create shapes, change text and colors to illustrate one of the five basic Internet Safety Rules.

1. Don’t give out personal information
2. Be nice online
3. Be extra careful with strangers-Make sure your parents know who you talk to online
4. Protect your passwords
5. Tell an adult

 

             

Research Across America!

Fourth graders have been "traveling" the country collecting information on particular United States as part of a collaborative research project involving library research skills, technology and the Social Studies curriculum. Each student has been assigned one of the 50 states to research.  They are using online encyclopedias, travel and state websites and old fashioned books to find everything from State Bird to Famous Residents to  Landmarks, Monuments and other Places of Interest.    The research portion of the project is being done under the guidance of Ms. Silag in the Library and this week students began working with Mrs. Seymour in the Tech Lab to learn how to put together a Power Point slide presentation on the PCs.  Students will design a presentation about their state using the facts they've collected and ultimately share their learnings with their classmates during an oral presentation in future Library and Technology classes.

Frank W. finds lots of cool facts about
the state of New Jersey!

Tatum comments: "Who knew Alaska was so big?"

Lily and Hannah review their research
notes as they get their Power Point
presentation started.

Grayson starts her Power Point Presentation
on hot, happening Florida!