MsYorksClass.net » Student Projects

Interactive Science Notebooks

admin — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 20:24:31 +0000

After our school took a hard look at the way we taught science, we decided that the most beneficial approach for our students was an integration between science and literacy. In order to help facilitate the connection for my students, we made our own version of ISN (Interactive Science Notebooks). We incorporated our essential standards for each trimester and aligned them with our current science content. This was the first year I tried these notebooks and some sample pages are below. Feedback and suggestions are appreciated!

Classroom Flags

admin — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 02:54:45 +0000

After reading about the CA Bear Flag Revolt and discussing the value of state and country flags, we decided to create a flag that exemplified the uniqueness of our classroom. All students drew things they felt were the most accurate representation of our class or things unique to our classroom that they enjoyed most: morning yoga, Pinwheels for Peace, interactive science notebooks, VIP Club, music, our class website, recycling, nature journals, and more! As they were drawn in May, many of them were up for display during Open House. Regardless of the state or nation you reside, it’s a great renewal of classroom culture to be able to identify the positive features of your room!

California Mission Block Prints

admin — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 03:21:14 +0000

Using a small piece of foamboard, a Speedball Hard Rubber Brayer, block printing ink, and some paper and pencils, students have the opportunity to create block prints depicting whatever their hearts desire! In my room, we create mission prints, as this directly relates to our social studies curriculum.

Students first take a sheet of plain paper to draw their chosen mission (remember that when ink is applied, the image will be reversed!). After drawing their mission, the paper is then laid over a piece of foamboard (a small piece of tape on each side will help it stay in place). Using their pencil, students will firmly trace over their missions, making sure that the lines appear in the foamboard. When it has been successfully transferred, the paper will be removed. Next, block printing ink is placed on a piece of thick plastic. Using the hard rubber brayer, ink is spread thin on the plastic. The brayer is then rolled over the students’ foamboard, leaving a layer of ink across the top. The students’ foamboard gets flipped over, placed onto the desired final paper, then pressed down firmly. It works well to have a separate, clean brayer to roll across the top. Take care not to move the foamboard once it’s been placed onto the paper. Carefully remove the foamboard and your final artwork is complete!

As this is a block print, you may make multiple prints for different purposes. We usually make two prints: one to take home, and one to place on a bulletin board (see photos below).

Food Colored Flowers

admin — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 04:49:03 +0000

In order to demonstrate the essential functions that roots and stems provide for plant growth, students can participate in a VERY straightforward science experiment! Simply gather a few plastic cups, food coloring, and some white flowers (carnations work best). Inside the plastic cups, add water and a generous amount of food coloring (both liquid coloring and the new squeeze tubes seem to work just fine). Warm water will allow the coloring to dissolve best. Once the coloring is mixed, add the flowers to various cups. Leave them for a short while, then begin to take note of the changes taking place. As the colored water is absorbed, students will be able to see how the water is absorbed into the plant and the petals of the carnation change color. A beautiful display!

California Mission Models

admin — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 22:17:54 +0000

Creating a California mission model has been a standard fourth grade project for YEARS! In our district, we have chosen to complete other mission-related projects in class and have treated model building as extra credit.

After receiving the mission guidelines (both English and Spanish are available below), students are given approximately three weeks to create their model. They are allowed to use any materials available, as long as a mission kit is not purchased from the craft store. The only major criteria is size! 30 missions sitting in one classroom take up a lot of space! For this reason, missions are brought in during one week only, then sent home!

I have had students bring in missions made from cardboard, wood, sugar cubes, plaster, and even CAKE! The choice is theirs as long as the majority of the work is completed by the students themselves. Points are awarded on a credit/no credit basis, as some students have the privilege of much parent participation and some do not. Please edit the guidelines below and modify the project to your classroom as needed! Enjoy!

Mission Project Guidelines

English.pdf
English.doc
Spanish.pdf
Spanish.doc

Project Gallery

Biography Posters

admin — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 21:07:17 +0000

Recently, we were blessed with a collection of the Who Was? biography series funded by donors at DonorsChoose.org. After choosing a biography, each student took notes on the bookmarks below, wrote three full paragraphs, drew a portrait of their subject, and created a poster with all of the above information. These criteria are outlined in the letter below. I provided the poster paper and a photograph for the students to base their drawings. Some reading, note taking, and paragraph editing was also done at home.

The outlines provided below follow a format similar to Step Up to Writing. They are to be used as guides, but students may of course vary their writing as appropriate! These colorful posters were a great addition to our Open House and they provided many opportunities for self and peer editing!