DIY Challenges

We're back and ready to start making! Our teacher, Mrs. Deyamport has learned about the Maker Movement and Maker Spaces on Twitter and thought it might be a good idea to give it a shot in our REACH classes. The Maker Movement (a.k.a. Maker Spaces) promotes the idea that students learn by doing. It puts students in charge of their learning because they are responsible for selecting, planning, and the actual creating or building of whatever it is they are making. This month we are participating in the Maker Movement by completing different DIY Challenges. Below are a few projects we are working on: 

Independent Projects 

Some of our 6th graders have had the opportunity to work on their own DIY challenges. They have worked independently on the planning and actual making. As they are working, they are given guidance on their problem-solving and brainstorming as needed. Both students have also thought or worked on their projects from home, which is not a requirement. While one student mentioned that he started to build his helmet at home, the other actually brought some patterns from a craft store to add to the final design of her project. 

Asma is designing her own room.

Jacob's cardboard costume.

To Enhance Reading Projects

Our 4th grade group has recently completed reading the novel, Tuck Everlasting, and was given the option to re-create a scene from the story using cardboard and other items. This project was modified from one of the DIY challenges and a great opportunity for students to be creative in creating scenes from a novel that did not have any illustrations. We also reflected and discussed some recommendations for staying organized and building things. This group offered some great tips and were very engaged and helpful towards each other throughout their DIY time. 

Recreate a Scene from Tuck Everlasting.

TUCK DIY Projects 

 Reflection

So far, the process of making is a messy one but so well worth it! Our greatest challenge is staying organized and finding storage for all projects. Right now, we are using these storage bins and placing them under tables and on top of file cabinets. As soon as we can find a solution for storage or as students complete their projects, we will have other grade level groups complete their own DIY challenges. Overall, the challenges have pushed students to learn in a different way and bring to life their plans and the content. Needless, to say they have also been a huge hit! 

Let's Invent!

This month we have presented several contests for our rocketeers to tap into their creative talents. One theme that these contests have in common is inventing. With this theme in mind, we took some advice from the one and only, Kid President.



So what are you waiting, for?! Let's invent! Well said, Kid President- we will do just that. Here is a line up of a few of our contests.

In a Word- Ceate the longest list of words for the word: Industrial. We will submit our entries to Calliope Magazine.

Values Essay- Write an essay about a barrier in your life and how values such as courage, determination, and perseverance helped overcome that barrier. This one is in honor of the values that Jackie Robinson used to live by during his career. All entries will be submitted to Appleseed Magazine. 

Doodle for Google- Design a doodle that represents an invention that would make the world a better place.

3M Young Scientist Challenge- Create a video about an idea or innovation that could solve an everyday problem.

What contests are you participating in this semester or term? Feel free to leave a comment with your favorite ones.

Dont Judge Me!

By: Langston

Photo credit: Morguefile.com

My dream is that someday people will not be judged by their character or what they like. For some its hard just to just eat ice cream without someone telling them that that flavor is nasty, stupid, or weird. I also think that people are discriminated for their style. I have friends that get picked on because of their shoe color or what instrument they play. If judgement of character did not exist, bullying would be at an all time low. But with 70% of bullying gone you still have 30% to eradicate. If people were not hated for who they "like" or who they're friends with, they would have more friends than they do already. So long story short, I wish that people will not be judged by what they like, character, skin color, religion, or even their own judgement.

Someday

By: Jacob

Photo Credit: Morguefile.com

My dream is that someday all the nations of the world will no longer fight and there will be no war anymore. Wars have a huge impact on our planet. Thousands of people die, and the Earth is damaged by the factories and materials used to create weapons and dangerous chemicals. "Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they practice war anymore."

Bye Bye, Minimal Wage

By: Asma

Photo Credit: Morguefile.com

My dream is that they will quit paying minimal wage for jobs that take lots of skills than for those jobs that pay higher for people who just sit down and organize files. For example, one job is where you have to know how to count, organize, be helpful, and have strength and confidence. The problem is that they are the ones being paid minimal wage. Meanwhile, those who just sit and organize are being paid higher. The people who are being paid for minimal wage need counting skills to be on the cash register. They need to organize the objects on the shelves and in the bins. They need to help the customers who are looking for certain things to buy or eat. They need strength to carry heavy loads, to stand on their feet, and not pass out. You need confidence to do your actual job. So I say that we fight for fair wages.