The One With an Egg Drop and Room Reveal

Summer Vacation is officially one week old! I know, I know, I waited an entire week to share our last day of school fun. Whoops. (Blame it on being too emotional, too drained, and wanting to enjoy our first sunny days in a month) 

While the summer has already consisted of Rockies games, sangria, and sunshine, there was also some work to be done! I am out of room 21 and officially in Room 16! But before I share what’s to come in year three of teaching I will explain our fun-filled last full day of school

Tuesday was our last full day with students and was also the day of our Egg Drop Challenge! Wednesday was truly the last day but with only 45 minutes with them it was not enough time to launch eggs from a roof! 

The planning started about a week before. We used a great STEM resource that laid everything out. Including a parent letter about supplies. Looking back that was truly optional because we found plenty of scraps, boxes full of packing peanuts, and Clorox containers just around our building. (Supplies from home did add a level of pride though, so I’ll probably still send the letter next year)

Students were divided into groups, made team names, logos, and rough drafts for their design. The physical creating was done the Friday before and took about 45 minutes. And then another 20 minutes Tuesday when everyone stuffed a few more packing peanuts for good measure. 

Originally we planned to drop the eggs from shoulder height, standing on a desk, and the roof. But doesn’t everyone want their egg flying off the roof of the elementary school? The answer is yes. So, we skipped the first two and went right to the roof. Sometimes things like carrying 30 projects up a fire ladder in school attire is an afterthought*. Live and learn. 

The actual launching of the projects was very surprising and encouraging! While it was a “challenge” every student was encouraging – and sometimes sympathetic – during each egg drop. About half of our students’ egg drop projects were successful! Their prize was a beaming smile and a roar of applause.

The launch went smoothly and I can’t wait to do it again next year. It was the perfect way to end the school year and end our STEM kick. This summer more STEM projects will be explored and prepped for next year.

We tried to be clean.

The suspense....

Survivor!

All the surviving eggs and their engineers!

MEANWHILE – on summer break – I moved into my new classroom! It’s right next to my teaching bestie who I will split kiddos with and departmentalize with next year. In addition to the location change it has a door to the playground and a mountain view. (That piece of information was solely for my Iowa friends, get jealous and move out here already!)

The room is organized for the most part and missing some key furniture…DESKS! My lovely and ultra-handy father is making me whiteboard tables!! EEEEK! Those will come in July so for now the room is a little empty. I also want to add more of a plant theme but seeing as I can’t keep a plant alive those will be added the day school starts.

A little white paint will be added to the very red bookshelf, eventually.

Leaf is from ikea! I purchased it two years ago and pulled it out the last week of school. This is one plant I can keep alive.

Saving the best for last, obviously.

*Students being on the roof was not an afterthought and only two brave third grade teachers ventured up there.

The One With the Cardboard Update!

The spring craziness continues in the form of cardboard and it’s CRUNCHTIME!

Next Wednesday my students will take their hard work and dedication to the County Cardboard Challenge. I am so excited for them! They have put hours into their research, reports, and projects! I cannot wait to show you the final product but I also want to take the time to explain how much work they have done.

Today’s post is dedicated to the work they have put in and next week I will showcase their final results!

First, as many of you know, each child researched a college or university. We created brochures and will bring those along.

In addition, students have started to write their speeches that the will “present” to parents and community members at the challenge. Since we have never been, we aren’t quite sure what this will entail but I assume it will be an open house feel. To ease students’ nerves about speaking to strangers we are also creating posters! (LOTS of creating over here) 

And now for the fun part…the cardboard!

Students started with pictures and created a blueprint. Then, they got to work measuring pieces they needed for their project. From then on I was a one-woman custom cardboard business. My charge was one “please” and “thank-you.” Many interesting requests were made…and for the most part we got creative and request were filled. Take a look at the progression:  

First step, a well though out plan.

"Teamwork makes the dream work!" For some reason this quote is hilarious to my kiddos.

Making sure we have EVERY piece exact!

UNI friends...take a guess at what Maytee is making!

This project got me with the glue gun 3 times today!! All I could do was wince and laugh -- sometimes my teaching filter even surprises me ;)

This is what you call an OCD breaking point, even organized chaos is hard to manage!

The Earth is 71% water? Well Room 21 is 71% cardboard.

 

"Someday I'm going to be in this building because it's for vet classes and that's my dream."

Can you believe this?! "Ms. Buikema can we let people know that I printed the Seminole? I don't want them to be misled."

I loved so many things about this project! Beyond the great STEM opportunity, critical thinking skills, and creativity my students amazed me by building their confidence, collaboration, and problem solving skills. I can’t tell you how many times a shy student broke out of their shell in this two month process. I loved the one-on-one time it created, the lightheartedness, and the deep conversations we could have while holding cardboard in place while the hot glue dried. 

It also was an opportunity for students to shine in class in a different way! I can honestly say EVERY project is unique and created a million questions from their peers, it was fun to see my quiet ones take pride and explain their building and how they made it. My only regret with this project is that it’s April – I wish we did this in September…what a way to welcome them to third grade!! Always tweaking and learning, next year we will have “STEM Fridays” and will do a different – much shorter – project that promotes similar skills! Pinterest is full of amazing activities, I recommend checking them out and implementing STEM in your classroom!

I CANNOT wait to share the rest next week!! Until then, we’ll be cutting, gluing, glittering, painting, and having FUN learning! 

PS. Today we had TWO exciting moments! 

ONE: Our shirts were delivered from Iowa! WE loved opening the box to find our special surprise. I am extremely lucky to have parents that make a difference in my classroom from 1,00 miles away. 

TWO: The University of Oregon retweeted my students Hayward Field project! 89,000 people who follow Oregon were able to see Isiah's hard work and we we're ecstatic! I love that our enthusiasm is heard all over the world. (Remember to follow us @Room21Tweets for daily updates on our learning!)