[Durant] Some insights into the classroom

[Dave Allen Barker Jr]

What a whirlwind for me! :)

I walked in and was given a pile of supplies and a smile---"Here you 
go!"  I really didn't know what to do!  I was able to work with 3 groups 
(I'll get to the remainder on Wednesday).

They each drew designs on an easel and shared their ideas with each 
other.  We imagined how each of the designs might perform, and how we 
might take all the ideas to make a group design.  We touched on the 
materials a bit to see if they could be actually build what they were 
thinking (some definite reality checking happened there).  I'm afraid 
their just isn't enough time to do some iterative design 
(build-test-modify-repeat)---I think that would be a great engineering 
exercise.  Student participation was great.

Ms. Durant said Friday morning they will all decide on a design and 
build it for the drop later that morning.  Crazy!  I'll be there and try 
to get some photos.

I took some photos of the beautiful fall day on the playground and a few 
in the classroom <http://www.9.0ne.org/w/User:Dave/visit/2013-11_egg_drop>.


On 11/17/2013 04:26 PM, Dave Allen Barker Jr wrote:
>
> I asked Ms. Durant about the morning math worksheets that come home 
> completed on Thursday, and if maybe kids could get something a little 
> more interesting (challenging).  She explained that those are just a 
> baseline that are issued and graded, but that the real math work they 
> do we parents wouldn't see because it doesn't come home.  They play 
> interactive classroom games and other things.  I thought this was good 
> to know, because I like to think our kids can really "be more" if we 
> give them the chance, and I wasn't seeing it.
>
> I asked if I could come in and watch, to get a better sense of what 
> they're getting in class, and Ms. Durant answered, "Yes". I'll report 
> back here like I hope you all would.
>
> Even better, she is taking advantage of my presence in her classroom 
> to put me to work!  Here's what I got from her.
>
>     Yes I would love to have you on Monday 9 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. /and/
>     Wednesday 9-10:30 /and/ Friday during our grade level official EGG
>     DROP. While you are there we will begin our S.T.E.M. project. As a
>     matter of fact, you will be our head Facilitator for our Classroom
>     Egg Drop.  During our morning Language Arts you will be a part of
>     our Science center. I will rotate 2 to 3 groups your way, one
>     group at a time consisting of 4 to 5 students for about 20-25
>     minutes. You will discuss with each group how they think they
>     should design their egg drop protector. I will give you chart
>     paper so that you can write down their ideas. Next, if time
>     permits each group will begin the project using /only/ the
>     materials provided.
>
>      1. 15 plastic straws
>      2. 1 piece of 8 1/2x11 construction paper
>      3. 1 foot of any type of masking or scotch tape
>      4. 10 Popsicle sticks (normal size)
>      5. Liquid glue-no limit
>      6. Scissors maybe used to cut items but cannot be included in the
>         container design
>
>     Before you arrive the students will have already viewed this short
>     video on YouTube and have had a brief discussion on materials,
>     purpose, and required outcome.
>     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehVQM0I0PSU
>
> Sounds like fun, eh? :)
>
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