Where in the World is Mrs. Lockwood?

I hope everyone is having a great break. Here are some clues to my whereabouts.

 Ready for takeoff.

 It looks like they celebrate Thanksgiving here, or they really like turkey.

 It's a transportation hub.

We visited the old town. 

Marshmallow Challenge

Goal: Build a tower that will hold a large marshmallow on top with 20 pieces of spaghetti, 3 feet of tape, and 3 feet of string. It sounds easy enough, right? The students took on the challenge and found it was a little more difficult than they thought. 

It started with a plan. 

Putting the plan into action

Adding the finishing touches

If you are interested in learning more about the Marshmallow Challenge, read here. 

Full STEAM Learning Friday - Fingerprints & DNA

For our second Full STEAM Learning Friday, we had a parent who is a federal prosecutor come and discuss how investigators use fingerprint and DNA evidence. The students helped solve the crime of the missing orange juice by using what they learned.

"I was framed, I tell ya!"

Full STEAM Learning Friday - Making Ice Cream

We kicked off our first Full STEAM Learning Friday on August 22. A parent came to visit our class to teach us about the process of making ice cream in a bag.

Getting the ingredients ready to make ice cream

Working hard

Hard work sure pays off! 

If you are interested in making some ice cream at home, check out the directions here. 

STEM Fair Reminders for Mrs. Lockwood's Class.

All 3rd grade students are required to complete a STEM Fair Project. 

 I am taking the following grades: 
-Homework grades - Verbal check-ins (topic, hypothesis, experiment) 
 -Project grade - Final project (See attached grading sheet) - Project will be graded for completion. 

Proposal Forms are due September 10. You should have a hard copy.   

I can't stress enough how great the Science Buddies website (http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_guide_index.shtml) is. It leads you through each step of a STEM project, and it is very detailed. Once you click on each part, look at the top of the page for additional information regarding the sections.

Graphic from mycutegraphics.com 

Back to School Night Presentation

Culture Quilt

Culture Quilt

Your child’s first homework assignment for 3^rd grade is to complete a Culture Quilt -- a representation that allows us to get to know each other on a deeper level than other “getting to know me”-type activities. For this activity to be meaningful, you will need to work with your child to answer the questions.  Some of these questions may be challenging for 3^rd graders, but in my experience they have provided some important conversations for families and for the class. I ask that you attempt to discuss and have your child answer all of the questions. If you have any specific issues, please contact me.

Suggested schedule:

-Days 1 & 2: Look over questions and discuss as a family

-Days 3 & 4: Brainstorm and jot down answers on the sheet provided.

-Days 5-7: Create quilt on poster board using craft materials, pictures, drawings, etc.

-Day 8: Practice presenting quilt to family.

Final Project:

*A “quilt” on poster board with 16 rectangles that answer the questions.

            -Each rectangle can have words and/or pictures.

            -The “quilt” should be colorful.

            -Due: Friday, August 15, 2014

*Materials needed:

            -Poster board

            -Crayons, colored pencils, markers, etc.

            -Pictures (photographs, clip art, drawings, etc.)

            -Scissors

            -Glue

            -Other craft materials, if needed

I believe you will find the project rewarding and meaningful as a family. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me.

Culture Quilt Directions

Due date: Friday, August 15, 2014 (You can turn it in earlier, if you are finished).

Purpose: For all of us to get to know one another.

Materials: poster board, markers, craft items

Directions:

1. As a family, brainstorm ideas for each square of your quilt.
2. Design a quilt on poster board using the model below as a guide.
3. Practice presenting your quilt to your family.

Family History	Cultural Other	Cultural Self-Personal	Cultural Self-Student
What country, other than the United States, do you identify as a place of origin for you and your family?	With what culture, other than your own, are you familiar?	What is your preferred learning style? How do you like to learn?	What characteristics do you exhibit as a student?
What word or concept best describes your family?	With what culture, other than your own, are you least familiar and would like to learn more about?	How would you describe your schooling experience?	Who was your most influential K-2 teacher?
What piece of advice or wisdom (one that reflects the values of your family) has been handed down through the generations?	What has been your most challenging cultural experience? Think about new experiences.	What is your most valuable trait?	What is your greatest challenge as a student?
What celebration, ceremony, or ritual do you and your family value and observe?	What negative comment or stereotype have you heard people make about the members of your cultural, racial, or ethnic group?	How do you like to spend your spare time?	What is your role as a student?

*Culture Quilt created by J. J. Irvine based on:

 Bennett, C. (1999). Comprehensive Multicultural Education: Theory and Practice. Boston: Allyn & Bacon.