Think Tank

Kindies continue to learn about collaboration and comporomise through their center time. This month we're introducing them to a new center called Osmo. Students will be using tangram pieces to develop spatial awareness. They will also practice their numbers 1-20 with Play Doh and ten frame models in addition to building with Legos, Keva Planks and the Marble Runs! We're so proud of the Kindies and the growth they've shown so far this year!

First Graders continue to learn about collaboration and comporomise through their center time. This month I'm introducing them to a new center using Edison Robots. These are a unique type of robot because they can be programmed using a barcode OR with block coding. We will be focusing this month on using barcodes to program them in order to get comfortable with how the robots work (and to have fun)!! Thank you so much PTO for providing the funds for us to purchase these robots!!!

Second Graders have just finished planting their seeds into our new Hydroponic Systems that our PTO purchased for us!! THANK YOU PTO!!! Plants are just now beginning to grow and it's so exciting to watch! This month, 2nd graders will start talking about electricity, open and closed circuits and will use Snap Circuits to see how this concept works first hand. We'll finish the week by making a light-up greeting card that includes a closed circuit.

Third Graders will talk about magnets and develop an understanding of what type of objects are magnetic. They will then apply their knowledge of this topic by making a maze and directing a matchbox car through the maze WITHOUT touching it....using the concept of magnetism. FUN!!

Fourth Graders will continue to work on their "Slickbot" Robot using our VEX Robotic Kits. When done, their challenge is to be able to maneuver and control their robot to be able to "plow" the most snow (cotton balls). Will we ever get snow in Highlands Ranch for real this winter?? lol. I'm ready for a good snow storm!!

Fifth Graders are starting their electives this month!! If they chose Think Tank, they will be learning how to sew and will make 9 square mini-quilt projects. They can also make coasters and soup cozies for the microwave. It's always so fun to see how excited the students are with the projects they make!!

If Sixth Graders are in the Think Tank Elective this month, they will be using the VEX Robotic Kits to make a Clawbot Robot. Students will then use their robot in various challenges including a maze where the sides cannot be touched, Bag Grannies Groceries (Clawbots must pick up 3 grocery items in the playfield, place them in a box and deliver them to "Granny") and a Battle Bot competition. Go Bots!!

If you're interested in donating any items to our classroom, we could put the following items to good use!!

• Toilet paper and paper towel tubes (empty-no TP or paper toweling on them)
• Colorful duct tape
• Scotch brand masking tape
• Crayola Markers
• Colorful pipe cleaners

Thank you to those who have donated to the Think Tank!!!