Here is a video hilighting some of the FUN!
**The 'Hour of Code™' is a nationwide initiative by Computer Science Education Week and Code.org to introduce millions of students to one hour of computer science and computer programming.”
Enrichment at RES
Saturday, December 8, 2018
Richmond ES Hour of Code 2018 Success
I had a great week learning and coding with students. I watched students think, create, collaborate and share. All the tenets of my enrichment programming wrapped into one!
Here is a video hilighting some of the FUN!
**The 'Hour of Code™' is a nationwide initiative by Computer Science Education Week and Code.org to introduce millions of students to one hour of computer science and computer programming.”
Here is a video hilighting some of the FUN!
**The 'Hour of Code™' is a nationwide initiative by Computer Science Education Week and Code.org to introduce millions of students to one hour of computer science and computer programming.”
Maker Mondays in 2019--Forms Coming Home Soon!
I am preparing the flyer to announce Maker Mondays for January and February 2019.
Here is the information that will be coming home soon!
Students: All students in Grades K-4 are invited to attend, but class size is limited to 20. Slots will be filled on a first come, first serve basis (with a lottery if I receive more than the amount on the same day). *Note last year I had over 75 applicants in the first two days!*
Here is the information that will be coming home soon!
The Enrichment Program at RES is excited to support a winter session of:
MAKER MONDAYS!
When: Monday Afternoons January 14th, 28th , February 4th, 11th, and 18th
Time: Immediately After School until 4PM
Where: The RES Makerspace
The Details: Mrs. Rankin will work with students to design, create and make in the makerspace.
During our time together we will have an opportunity to do guided tinkering projects as well as the
freedom to create from our own imaginations! If you are a student who loves to make and take apart
things, or wants to learn something new in a fun and exploratory environment, then this is the after
school program for you!
During our time together we will have an opportunity to do guided tinkering projects as well as the
freedom to create from our own imaginations! If you are a student who loves to make and take apart
things, or wants to learn something new in a fun and exploratory environment, then this is the after
school program for you!
Cost: This five week session will be $35 per student (Part 2 students are welcome to attend,
provided they pay this additional fee). Partial and full scholarships are available.
provided they pay this additional fee). Partial and full scholarships are available.
Students: All students in Grades K-4 are invited to attend, but class size is limited to 20. Slots will be filled on a first come, first serve basis (with a lottery if I receive more than the amount on the same day). *Note last year I had over 75 applicants in the first two days!*
Sunday, December 2, 2018
Hour of Code ar RES, December 2018
This week RES students will be participating in Hour of Code during enrichment classes. The week of December 3rd - 7th, 2018 all RES students in grades kindergarten through four will have a hands on introduction to computer programming with Hour of Code activities during their enrichment classes!
Computer programming helps nurture problem-solving skills, logic and creativity in people of all ages. Kindergarten, first and second graders will use Scratch Jr. app for iPads, while third and fourth graders will choose from a variety of tutorials on Code.org.
Introducing Hour of Code! Here is a great video explaining some of the benefits of coding:
STUDENTS: Here are the links for Hour of Code at school this week....some great choices:
Dance Party
https://hourofcode.com/danceparty
Minecraft
https://hourofcode.com/mchoc
Star Wars
https://hourofcode.com/star-wars
Animate your Name
https://hourofcode.com/scratchanim
or choose your own challenge (make sure to note the grade level):
https://hourofcode.com/us/learn
FAMILIES and TEACHERS: Here are links to continue the learning beyond this week at school! ALL of the included links and recommendations are FREE!
Scratch Jr. iPad app
Scratch Jr. Android app
More ways to learn from Code.org
Scratch
Do you have questions about coding? Do you want to figure out ways to help your kids use computers and tablets to create things versus consume content? I would be happy to chat with you about this...just reach out to Darcie Rankin at darcie.rankin@cesuvt.org.
“The 'Hour of Code™' is a nationwide initiative by Computer Science Education Week [csedweek.org] and Code.org [code.org] to introduce millions of students to one hour of computer science and computer programming.”
Computer programming helps nurture problem-solving skills, logic and creativity in people of all ages. Kindergarten, first and second graders will use Scratch Jr. app for iPads, while third and fourth graders will choose from a variety of tutorials on Code.org.
Introducing Hour of Code! Here is a great video explaining some of the benefits of coding:
STUDENTS: Here are the links for Hour of Code at school this week....some great choices:
Dance Party
https://hourofcode.com/danceparty
Minecraft
https://hourofcode.com/mchoc
Star Wars
https://hourofcode.com/star-wars
Animate your Name
https://hourofcode.com/scratchanim
or choose your own challenge (make sure to note the grade level):
https://hourofcode.com/us/learn
FAMILIES and TEACHERS: Here are links to continue the learning beyond this week at school! ALL of the included links and recommendations are FREE!
Scratch Jr. iPad app
Scratch Jr. Android app
More ways to learn from Code.org
Scratch
Do you have questions about coding? Do you want to figure out ways to help your kids use computers and tablets to create things versus consume content? I would be happy to chat with you about this...just reach out to Darcie Rankin at darcie.rankin@cesuvt.org.
“The 'Hour of Code™' is a nationwide initiative by Computer Science Education Week [csedweek.org] and Code.org [code.org] to introduce millions of students to one hour of computer science and computer programming.”
Wednesday, November 28, 2018
Grade 4 Makerspace Advertisements - Mrs. LeFrancois' Class
Students in fourth grade enrichment had an opportunity to work in small groups to create video advertisements for the RES makerspace and makerspace activities. Students self selected topics and groups and then designed an advertisement using paper storyboarding. Once groups had a plan in place they used iPads to record videos (and some included green screen and stop motion applications to add another layer of technology). Next students imported their videos onto their Chromebooks and used WeVideo to edit and create their final videos (including voice overs, music, text additions, video splicing and more!) It was impressive to watch student creativity shine as they walked through this movie making process.
Here are the finished products from Mrs. LeFrancois' Class!
Here are the finished products from Mrs. LeFrancois' Class!
Monday, November 26, 2018
RES Cougar Cub Inventor's Workshop Success
The Thursday before November break RES families came together for the fourth year in a row to celebrate creativity and engineering at the RES Cougar Cub Inventor's Workshop.
What is an Inventor’s Workshop? The workshop was a family-friendly event to MAKE, create, learn, invent, craft, recycle, think, play and be inspired by celebrating arts, crafts, engineering, science and technology. Students worked with their families to create. Activities were facilitated by engineers and teachers. Families had an opportunity to learn together as they experienced the fun of making / building / constructing / designing and more.
I am so thankful for all of the school and community volunteers that made this evening possible. Volunteers from the Society of Women Engineers ran stations to build jitterbots, create rockets and lead our youngest makers in building marble mazes and floating objects for the wind tunnel. ECHO brought an amazing 34 foot Lego car racing tack and a 10 foot high wind wall that had students laughing and cheering all evening. Radiate Art Space brought a variety of spin art machines and created amazing art with students. CHMS educator, Quinn Keating brought a 3D printer and taught families how to use software that drives this tool. RES educators were on hand to support learning and challenge students as they learned to code in Scratch and build with various materials. Cardboard Tek donated some PinBox 3000s for the evening so students could get excited by the design possibilities they will get to have later in the school year.
Here is a video that captures some of the fun of the evening:
What is an Inventor’s Workshop? The workshop was a family-friendly event to MAKE, create, learn, invent, craft, recycle, think, play and be inspired by celebrating arts, crafts, engineering, science and technology. Students worked with their families to create. Activities were facilitated by engineers and teachers. Families had an opportunity to learn together as they experienced the fun of making / building / constructing / designing and more.
I am so thankful for all of the school and community volunteers that made this evening possible. Volunteers from the Society of Women Engineers ran stations to build jitterbots, create rockets and lead our youngest makers in building marble mazes and floating objects for the wind tunnel. ECHO brought an amazing 34 foot Lego car racing tack and a 10 foot high wind wall that had students laughing and cheering all evening. Radiate Art Space brought a variety of spin art machines and created amazing art with students. CHMS educator, Quinn Keating brought a 3D printer and taught families how to use software that drives this tool. RES educators were on hand to support learning and challenge students as they learned to code in Scratch and build with various materials. Cardboard Tek donated some PinBox 3000s for the evening so students could get excited by the design possibilities they will get to have later in the school year.
Here is a video that captures some of the fun of the evening:
Grade 4 Makerspace Advertisements - Mrs. Berliner's Class
Students in fourth grade enrichment had an opportunity to work in small groups to create video advertisements for the RES makerspace and makerspace activities. Students self selected topics and groups and then designed an advertisement using paper storyboarding. Once groups had a plan in place they used iPads to record videos (and some included green screen and stop motion applications to add another layer of technology). Next students imported their videos onto their Chromebooks and used WeVideo to edit and create their final videos (including voice overs, music, text additions, video splicing and more!) It was impressive to watch student creativity shine as they walked through this movie making process.
Here are the finished products from Mrs. Berliner's Class!
Here are the finished products from Mrs. Berliner's Class!
Grade 4 Makerspace Advertisements--Ms. Poncelet's Class
Students in fourth grade enrichment had an opportunity to work in small groups to create video advertisements for the RES makerspace and makerspace activities. Students self selected topics and groups and then designed an advertisement using paper storyboarding. Once groups had a plan in place they used iPads to record videos (and some included green screen and stop motion applications to add another layer of technology). Next students imported their videos onto their Chromebooks and used WeVideo to edit and create their final videos (including voice overs, music, text additions, video splicing and more!) It was impressive to watch student creativity shine as they walked through this movie making process.
Here are the finished products from Ms. Poncelet's Class!
Here are the finished products from Ms. Poncelet's Class!
Welcome to the Enrichment Classroom! Open House 2018
I am excited to meet with families at the RES Open House. If you cannot be here or did not have a chance to visit the enrichment classroom....here is a peak into our room!
And here are the videos which were playing while students and families explored the space:
If you ever have questions or ideas about enrichment, please do not hesitate to contact me throughout the year at darcie.rankin@cesuvt.org.
 |
| All students in fourth grade will be designing PinBox3000s this year during enrichment |
 |
| We played with an 3D Augmented Reality iPad application called Quivervision |
 |
| The puppet theater |
 |
| The kitchen area |
 |
| A take a break spot |
 |
| Kindergarten interests showcased |
 |
| The classroom library is always open! |
 |
| Save the date for the Flynn trips and plan to chaperone! |
If you ever have questions or ideas about enrichment, please do not hesitate to contact me throughout the year at darcie.rankin@cesuvt.org.
Friday, February 9, 2018
Celebrating Light in Grade 2 Enrichment
How does light travel?
How does light interact with other objects?
These are the questions that we investigated in our science study into light in second grade enrichment. In our first meeting, students came into a dark enrichment space, and were challenged to think about light. It is all around us, yet we found that we had not spent much time thinking about its properties. If students closed their eyes, could they feel when a flashlight was shone on them? What are some sources of light? What questions do we have about light? We had a great discussion and then spent the rest of class using flashlights to develop observations and questions.
Next we used our great science thinking to consider sources of light. Students created tables to compare objects that produced light, and ones that did not. I observed many great discussions as students considered what light really is.
Next we investigated how light travels. We used questions, observations, and careful note taking to share our results.
Lastly, we studied various materials and how light interacts with them. We tested many materials and discovered through investigation that depending on the type of material light will interact differently. This realization led us to an engineering problem in which students had to select the best material to design a bike helmet. Students used experiments to test out their hypothesis and did a great job showing and sharing their thinking.
Last week we wrapped our unit with a 'celebration of light'. We made our own flashlights with LEDs and batteries and we built light mazes and forts. Second graders learned a lot about light and did a great job connecting real life ideas and problems to their discoveries.
Last week we wrapped our unit with a 'celebration of light'. We made our own flashlights with LEDs and batteries and we built light mazes and forts. Second graders learned a lot about light and did a great job connecting real life ideas and problems to their discoveries.
Kindergarten Enrichment Students Drive Their Learning
The Kindergarten enrichment programming is a play based exploratory environment that supports social and academic learning driven by student choice. A key component of the program is that each kindergarten student gets an opportunity to create a station which other students in their class will visit during exploratory play. Each student conferences with Mrs. Rankin to discuss their interests, passions and ideas. During that conference we develop a plan for their student driven center. We develop a list of materials that will be needed and what students will 'do' when they visit. Over the course of the rest of the year each student will have an opportunity to share their center with their class.
It is truly amazing to see all of the topics that students come up with and how they want to learn with their classmates! During their share week students have a chance to answer questions from the whole class about why they chose their topic and what we will be doing. They really step up to present and classmates are respectful and excited to learn from their peers. Student driven centers began two weeks ago, and we have already learned about horses, how to make snowflakes, art, stars, space, gymnastics and fairies! It promises to be another amazing year in enrichment exploring and learning from and with each other.
It is truly amazing to see all of the topics that students come up with and how they want to learn with their classmates! During their share week students have a chance to answer questions from the whole class about why they chose their topic and what we will be doing. They really step up to present and classmates are respectful and excited to learn from their peers. Student driven centers began two weeks ago, and we have already learned about horses, how to make snowflakes, art, stars, space, gymnastics and fairies! It promises to be another amazing year in enrichment exploring and learning from and with each other.
Maker Mondays
Maker Mondays at Richmond Elementary school is an after school program that gives students an opportunity to design, create and make in our makerspace. During our time together students do guided tinkering projects, such as lighting up their creations with LEDs (as shown in this video) as well as the freedom to create from their own imaginations! Students also enjoy using our Take-Apart station to understand how things work as they dismantle and investigate broken keyboards, computers and more! The makerspace offers an exploratory environment where students can make and learn through hands on discovery. Students of all ages work side by side--learning from each other--supported by their teacher-- and independently driving their own learning through choice.
Jeh Kulu us Coming to RES!!!
Richmond Elementary School is excited to WELCOME BACK Jeh Kulu--African Dance and Drumming Ensemble--for an Artist in Residency in April 2018.
All students in Grades K-4 will have an opportunity to dance and learn from Jeh Kulu during their PE classes on April 17th to 20th This residency was made possible by a grant from the Vermont Art Council, as well as fundraisers supported by the PTO (To donate to make sure every class gets this opportunity, please click here: Go Fund Me Page: https://www.gofundme.com/artis
Science Fair Resources
The science fair is coming! On Thursday March 15th RES students in grades K-4 are invited to come and share their great science fair projects with our community. The science fair is a great way for students and families to work together to explore and learn about topics that interest them.
Entry forms will be sent home Friday February 9th and will be due back by Friday February 23rd.
Not sure where to get started? I highly recommend starting with your interests! Is there a topic you studied in school that you would like to learn more about? Is there something you have always wondered about--maybe how it works? Do you have a special collection you would like to share?
The RES science fair is a non judged family event...which means adult help is welcome and appreciated..AND kids can work together to create projects too!
Not sure where to get started? Here are a few resources!
I love this website. It has tons of great project ideas and even lets you answer a survey to narrow down the choices to your interests!
http://www.sciencebuddies.org/
This site also has great examples, and includes some great videos which will support visual learners too! Although they are also a business trying to sell science materials, it includes many great free resources in the 'Experiments' section:
http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/lab/experiments/
And one more of my favorites!
https://sciencebob.com/category/science-fair-ideas/
In addition, the RES school library is full of science project ideas and resources. Did you know you can check out additional books with a family account? See Mrs. Redford to set this up.
And lastly, I have several science project idea books, and am happy to discuss and brainstorm ideas with kids or families....just stop by and see me, OR email me to set up some time.
Happy Experimenting, Discovering and Learning!
Have FUN!
Entry forms will be sent home Friday February 9th and will be due back by Friday February 23rd.
Not sure where to get started? I highly recommend starting with your interests! Is there a topic you studied in school that you would like to learn more about? Is there something you have always wondered about--maybe how it works? Do you have a special collection you would like to share?
The RES science fair is a non judged family event...which means adult help is welcome and appreciated..AND kids can work together to create projects too!
Not sure where to get started? Here are a few resources!
I love this website. It has tons of great project ideas and even lets you answer a survey to narrow down the choices to your interests!
http://www.sciencebuddies.org/
This site also has great examples, and includes some great videos which will support visual learners too! Although they are also a business trying to sell science materials, it includes many great free resources in the 'Experiments' section:
http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/lab/experiments/
And one more of my favorites!
https://sciencebob.com/category/science-fair-ideas/
In addition, the RES school library is full of science project ideas and resources. Did you know you can check out additional books with a family account? See Mrs. Redford to set this up.
And lastly, I have several science project idea books, and am happy to discuss and brainstorm ideas with kids or families....just stop by and see me, OR email me to set up some time.
Happy Experimenting, Discovering and Learning!
Have FUN!
RES Science Fair--COMING SOON! SAVE THE DATE! CREATE A PROJECT!
RES SCIENCE FAIR
Thursday March 15th, 2018
Students in Grades K- 4 will be sharing their great science projects in the RES gym! The Farm to School program will be offering a dinner during the event so that both participating families and those looking for a night out can grab a great meal! Raffle prizes will be awarded to students who ask great science questions! Everyone is welcome!
RES Farm to School Dinner
Time: 5-6:30pm
Location: RES Cafeteria
RES Science Fair
Time: 5:45 – 6:45 pm
(participants may set up projects any time after 5:15pm)
Location: RES Gym
Wednesday, January 17, 2018
Community Building and 3D Printing
Each year it is so exciting when I am asked to collaborate with other teachers on projects. I am currently collaborating on a technology and community building project with our technology integration teacher. It is exciting to collaborate because often I am learning a new skill along side students. It is also exciting because I believe by modeling collaboration we teach students how to effectively collaborate themselves.
This project began as a discussion about how to best utilize a 3D printer in the elementary school setting. We knew we wanted students to build something meaningful (not just a trinket)...but we also recognized that there would be a learning curve to utilizing a new tool and we did not want to make something so complex that success would be beyond some students. Mr. Langevin had the brilliant idea of building something for younger students--perhaps a playdoh tool for use in the kindergarten classroom. We settled on this idea and began to develop lesson plans that would get us to that end goal. Our essential goals were to build community in our school and give voice and choice in student learning, while at the same time learning to use an awesome new technology tool. During these lessons we wanted third graders to:
--Learn to 3D design in Tinkercad (https://www.tinkercad.com/)
--Develop a relationship with a kindergarten student
--Create a design for their new kindergarten friend that aligned with their interests
--See their iterative design process through to completion
--Give their creation as a gift and way to build community
We wanted kindergarteners to:
--Develop a relationship with older students in the school
--Feel welcomed by our school community
--Receive a personalized gift that they could use to play, explore and create at school
To date third graders have created Tinkercad accounts, met with their kindergarten buddies to learn their interests and began to design their playdoh tool. It has definitely been an exciting month in enrichment! I am not sure if I enjoy seeing students stretch their learning and risk taking through the use of the new Tinkercad tool or watching the relationships in our school community grow---they are both awesome! We hope to have playdoh tools completed in January. I have also enjoyed listening to students make connections to the measurement unit that they are studying in math as they determine the correct size for the 3D printing.
This project began as a discussion about how to best utilize a 3D printer in the elementary school setting. We knew we wanted students to build something meaningful (not just a trinket)...but we also recognized that there would be a learning curve to utilizing a new tool and we did not want to make something so complex that success would be beyond some students. Mr. Langevin had the brilliant idea of building something for younger students--perhaps a playdoh tool for use in the kindergarten classroom. We settled on this idea and began to develop lesson plans that would get us to that end goal. Our essential goals were to build community in our school and give voice and choice in student learning, while at the same time learning to use an awesome new technology tool. During these lessons we wanted third graders to:
--Learn to 3D design in Tinkercad (https://www.tinkercad.com/)
--Develop a relationship with a kindergarten student
--Create a design for their new kindergarten friend that aligned with their interests
--See their iterative design process through to completion
--Give their creation as a gift and way to build community
We wanted kindergarteners to:
--Develop a relationship with older students in the school
--Feel welcomed by our school community
--Receive a personalized gift that they could use to play, explore and create at school
To date third graders have created Tinkercad accounts, met with their kindergarten buddies to learn their interests and began to design their playdoh tool. It has definitely been an exciting month in enrichment! I am not sure if I enjoy seeing students stretch their learning and risk taking through the use of the new Tinkercad tool or watching the relationships in our school community grow---they are both awesome! We hope to have playdoh tools completed in January. I have also enjoyed listening to students make connections to the measurement unit that they are studying in math as they determine the correct size for the 3D printing.
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