Jami from HandMadeKidsArt posted a 5 Day Spring STEAM Challenge.   One mentioned  The Lorax by Dr. Seuss, since I love that book (and all things Dr. Seuss), and we have been talking about solving problems it seemed like the perfect fit.  

We read the book and then discussed how the Lorax had a problem and how important natural resources are.  I asked what could we do to help bring the Lorax and his friends back?   We thought if we could create a new species of tree it might bring back the Lorax, his friends, and maybe even new types of Suess characters would visit. 

We started, as we always do with our design challenges, sketching our ideas.  I am very impressed each time the kids do this.  They are all so creative in many different ways. Each artist labels and explains their thoughts so explicitly.  Anyone could pick up their sketch and know exactly what they were thinking when they drew it.  

After we got our initial ideas on paper (or notability), I dumped materials on the floor.  Just like the Legos from the other day.   They went to it.  The only constraint we had was it had to stand on its own.  Because a tree needs roots to stay in place.  We learned that in 3rd grade. 🙂

 We dug in and started putting our designs into action.  I always find myself telling the kids that don’t worry about changes that come about in the building process.  Their model may not look like their sketch, but almost every time they build true to their design.  Funny.  

I know you will find this hard to believe but you could hear a pin drop while they worked.  I never insist on silence in the classroom, because lets be honest I can’t stay silent, so how can I ask them to. But when they are in building mode they are so focused.   I walk around, taking pictures, asking questions and they just build, build, build.  

Next step…write.  Name your tree, what type of Suess character would it attract? How would it help bring back the Lorax and his friends?  What other important details should we know about your tree?  Then we take a tour of all the new species…  

Finally, we have our exit ticket.  Of course the first question was an easy one.  1.)What did you like best about this challenge?  2.) What makes this a STEAM challenge?  3.) How can we apply this to real world problems? 

I honestly thought the last one would give them trouble.  But they thought like true scientists and talked about how we can help by not abusing our natural resources.  But, realistically natural resources are not cared for, so we need to be ready to create new species of plants and trees to replenish what is taken away.  They also loved the idea that they got to create like Dr. Suess.  I really liked that part too.  

Today Mrs. Sisul joined us with her tub of 3,000 legos.  She began by sharing a funny video of her kitten that keeps getting into the cat food.  Problems…they are everywhere.    We spent a little time thinking of a problem we wanted to try and solve.  A few ideas that came up were: Create a machine that will clean our room.  Create a car that won’t add any pollution to the environment.  Create the ultimate pair of basketball shoes.  Create a baseball uniform that is lightweight and protective as well. Create a watch that people with asthma will wear.  There is a button that you push when you have an attack.  The watch works with your body to open your lungs so you can breathe.  This will be perfect for athletes.  I was so thoroughly impressed with the work the kids did as well as the reasons behind each invention.  

We are the innovators, the inventors, the problem solvers. 

I am teased all the time because I rearrange my classroom multiple times each year.  In the past I have moved things around because of my need for change.  I get bored or I see something isn’t working day to day so I move things.  Last year, first year of my current loop, I would watch kids sit at tables and read or write in their notebooks.  They looked so uncomfortable.  So we had a meeting.  I asked if they sat at the kitchen table to read? Just about all the students said “NO”.   I told them that when I am at home reading I am stretched out on the couch.  When I am working on planning for them, I sit on the floor and spread everything out around me.  Not surprising, that is the way they like to work as well. So the work began to make our room a place where we could get a little more…I am not sure there is a word that fits what we were going for.  This room has evolved from a pretty traditional classroom.  Tables, chairs, a library, a carpet, a meeting place..  You get the idea.  First, we gave away some tables.  (EEK!  Give away furniture?? Am I crazy? What kind of teacher does that?) We had about 6 tables with four chairs at each.   We went down to 3 tables.  Then we started moving things around and adding alternate seating choices.  We brought in lap trays (from Hobby Lobby), patio chairs (from my deck).  

We call this the patio.  Pictures frames that we fill as the year goes, and includes pics from previous classes.  I asked teachers to donate any old frame they didn’t want. I have tons still ready to go up if I need them.  This was different for me, I usually like things to be very coordinated.  So, different frames actually made me nervous, but looks so much better than going with matching.. 

Some of us also like to stand when we work.  Well that was easy.  I bought two shelves from Lowe’s and attached them to the wall.  Okay, I tried to attach them, but luckily our evening custodian heard my power tools and came to help.  Hehe Not a great pic, but they are under the two bulletin boards.  *I made those bulletin boards from foam board from Hobby Lobby.  Had to use liquid nails to keep them up.  They are never coming down.

At some point in our transformation our Music teacher was “giving away” risers.  These are colorful and mobile. As you have probably noticed my room has a color theme, yellow, blue and black.  She had yellow risers up for grabs.  Well, of course we brought these in.

Now what would we want with that?  Well not all kids love sitting on the carpet.  This was perfect for us to spread out a bit and have additional seating for whole group or a work space in general.  The bleachers were a great addition at the time.  However, as I said this classroom evolves.  Recently, the bleachers have become a “hang out”, where little work is actually completed.  The bleachers had worn out their effectiveness.  I offered them up and our Math Interventionist jumped on them. Actually, she wanted them for kids to sit on, but if she would like to jump on them that would be okay too.

This took the place of the bleachers.  It is a table that can be a stand up work station or there are stools in case we need to lean.  I know it isn’t covered in the blue vinyl that the other surfaces are covered in.  I just haven’t gotten to it yet, but I will.  

Finally, the kiddos mentioned they would like specific areas to work either independently, with no distractions, or with small groups.  So we made Zones.  We have areas that are Distraction Free Zones and Whisper Zones.   Ikea had some cute frames, in BLUE!  

They work to remind us of the area we are in and what the expectations are.  We also have them posted on the wall in specific areas as well.  

  The whole room.  I also love that fact that I have five walls instead of four.  🙂  I can’t wait to see if we make more changes. I am even more curious to know what will happen next year with a brand new group of kiddos. Hmm…

I have wanted to blog for awhile now and someone I teach with mentioned that I should be, so I took that as a little push and here I am.  Thanks to Jen Bearden for giving me the push and coaching me through the process.

As I sit here and stare at my computer, I now realize what my students go through when I ask them to write something. A few are able to jump right in and fill the page. The others, like me, sit there staring at the page hoping for a fire drill or a stampede of elephants to come through the room.  I am probably putting way too much thought into this first post, but I usually put too much thought into everything. I should pull out the book Nothing Ever Happens on 90th Street, that always helps the kiddos and if nothing else it would distract me a bit.  But, then I would come back to an empty post.  So, let’s just get started shall we…