Tech Connect

Through the creation of an automata, a simple machine, students will be able to make observations that energy can be transferred from place to place through mechanical motion. Cardboard Automata are a playful way to explore simple machine elements, like cams, while creating a mechanical sculpture. Working with simple materials, this activity is easy to get started, and may become as complex as you desire. Check out the accompanying video: http://purcelldesignlab.weebly.com/42-automatas.html

What you'll get: 1. Teacher's Notes and classroom management tips 2. Community Projects Categories cards 3. Weekly check-in checklist 4. 20% Time Student packets (printer ready) 5. Weekly schedule per trimester 6. Student timeline worksheet 7. Student project proposal descriptions 8. Weekly formative assessments and summative assessment 9. Project Proposal and Timeline rubrics Project Description: Each trimester you will be challenged to use your 20% Time to work on a project you feel passi

This fun game gets kids out of their seats, interacting with all students in the class and having fun with math. Included in this game packet are three multiplication games (easy, medium and hard), three division games (easy, medium and hard) and one 4th grade aligned geometry game. I also included a blank template for you to make your own.

Weather happens all over the world all the time. In this investigation, students will analyze a collection of graphs to describe typical weather conditions expected during a particular season. Students will show their understanding of climates in different regions of the world, by making hanging mobiles that represent their assigned region. Check out the accompanying video: http://purcelldesignlab.weebly.com/33-weather-mobiles.html

This activity is for students to take charge of their learning; and is a spin off of the 20% Time Project. In the first activity the students will make a list of things they will learn and share throughout the year. In the last ten activities, the students get time learn and share their passions and interests. This lesson would be appropriate for students in 3rd - 8th grade.

Over the course of eight days, students will go through a series of prewriting activities before choosing one to expand into a full essay. Use the peer-tutor model for editing and publish to an authentic audience.

This is a beginning of the year activity. Getting to know your students and gaining insight to the overall trends of your year ahead. This is a two-part task; first your students will find the trends in their table groups (small groups of 4 – 5 students). Second, you will graph the student data on a long poster or pin board. After each of the two tasks, students share three+ truths about the graphs.