Book Creator is a simple and free online app that even very young students may use to make interactive multimedia-rich eBooks.
Using scrap metal and spare parts, William Kamkwamba created a windmill to harness the wind and bring electricity and running water to his Malawian village. The resource includes a lesson plan/book card, a design challenge, and copy of a design thinking journal that provide guidance on using the book to inspire students' curiosity for design thinking. Maker Challenge: Develop a way to harness the wind by designing with Strawbees.
A document is included in the resources folder that lists the complete standards-alignment for this book activity.
Ralph Baer’s family fled Nazi Germany for the US when he was a child. Using wartime technology, Baer thought outside the box and transformed the television into a vehicle for gaming. His invention was the birth of the first home console, the Odyssey, a precursor to the Atari gaming system. The resource includes a lesson plan/book card, a design challenge, and copy of a design thinking journal that provide guidance on using the book to inspire students' curiosity for design thinking. Maker Challenges: (1) Think outside the box. What’s something you use everyday, but not for its “intended” purpose? Examples: A broom to clean the snow off your car windshield, a trash bag as a sled. Now, think of a problem you might have at school, home, et al. Invent an item that would solve this problem. (2) Let’s think outside the box! Design the latest and greatest technology for kids to hit the market! Make it the *most* fun anyone has ever had. You may NOT use anything on the market - any technology currently on the market is off limits. Use your imagination, do not put limitations on it, and be as creative as you can. (3) Use household items to create a prototype of your new invention.
A document is included in the resources folder that lists the complete standards-alignment for this book activity.
Students will listen to a podcast using Brains On! and create a graphic organizer sharing information about the podcast.
Dotstorming is a free online bulletin board similar to Padlet or Pinterest. It is used for brainstorming and voting on any topic.
In this activity, students will solve a base 10 math problem and explain their thinking using SeeSaw.
Disney’s Color and Play App allows students to color their favorite Disney characters and animate them or make them
Switch Zoo is a free interactive website that allows students to create their own animals, habitats and biomes. It provides games for students to get involved with their created animal and zoo. There are several different activities that students can interact with.
Building a blendspace is a great way for students to demonstrate their understanding of learned concepts in any content area.
It is so important that students learn about bullying at an early age. They need to learn what bullying is and how to respond to it. For children under eight, there is an app called the Allen Adventure for both iOs and Androids. The students will watch the video, play the game and complete the activities.
Students will work to collaboratively build a “slideshow” of CVVC words in Nearpod.
Students will use Canva (canva.com) to incorporate learning they have done about key people of World War II to create trading cards that include pictures, text, and other information about their key person.
Text features is an important part of the English Language Arts informational writing curriculum. Students need to know to look for captions in nonfiction text and read them for help with understanding the text.
This Turtle Diary game helps students practice addition through solving addition problems through a car racing game. This game is a great option for independent center practice, whole group instruction, or small group instruction
It is very important early on that students learn how to care for their device whether it be their mobile device, their laptop, or a desktop. Care can include many things from student hygiene to how the device is carried. This activity card will cover the bases for all ages to learn how to properly care for their device.
Kids love to build, what’s more they love to be challenged. Zoob Builderz STEM Challenge is designed for both. Students must read and create using the Zoob Builder pieces. Pieces include gears, axles, joints, wheels, and more for students to snap together.
Students will learn how to make change using the application Change Maker on Fun Brain. After making a purchase the students count their change. If it is answered correctly a deposit is made into the piggy bank. If it is answered incorrectly it is subtracted from the piggy bank.
Students will apply their knowledge of characterization by coding a sample character’s thought, actions, and words.
Lesson credit to Google CS First Curriculum
Students need to check the accuracy of what they see on the Internet. Young children will especially have a difficult time knowing what is real or fake. Netsmartzkids has an excellent video for students to watch and learn how to fact check.
This activity assumes that students have some familiarity with using the Chrome browser, most likely a Chromebook before (probably in a previous grade). Using a simple KWL chart on a Google Doc, students can collaborate and acquire shortcuts for using a Chromebook (or just the Chrome browser) more efficiently.