To wrap up our unit with Google Slides the fifth grade classes created comics using their self-made avatar png files and some storytelling. Using imagery from our school and classroom, they created background panels along with gutters, scene setters, a Word Art title, and a monologue to reflect on the three articles of our classroom constitution. Take a look at these beauties below! I'm so proud of the work they have done!
| Student Comics |
|---|
We have been busy in the Innovation Lab. Take a look at what the kids have been doing these past few weeks.
All classes enjoyed a Computer Science Themed Breakout called Stop the Pigeon upon return from break. In two groups they utilized teamwork skills and problem solving to decode a series of challenges with a computational thinking theme. Solving algorithms to break out of the box!
Fifth graders have wrapped up their Avatar project, learning about file types like png and gif as they got creative with Google Slides. We will continue to incorporate their creations in future projects. Check out these beauties below or click here.
The sixth graders are busy learning some basic coding with MakeCode and Micro:bits. Though there are many coding platforms to choose from we are focused on MakeCode.Microbit.org. Students have explored 3 new programs, Rolling a DIE, Shaking a Magic-8 Ball, and most recently the radio feature to play Marco Polo. For each of these 3 projects, we began with a simple version before adding enhancements while getting more familiar with the code. Give some a try below. Missing the DIE from your favorite boardgame? Don't let that stop you. Open up your child's digital DIE and let the games begin.
| Name | Play It |
|---|---|
DIE with Numbers |
Click to Play |
DIE with LEDs |
Click to Play |
Magic 3 with Icons |
Click to Play |
Magic 8 with Strings |
Click to Play |
Radio Radio |
Click to Play |
Marco Polo |
Click to Play |
Our fifth graders are using some underutilized tools in Google Slides. The end result will be a series of digital drawings as transparent png files and jpg files to make portrait and landscape imagery. We began with the polyline and curve to building bubble letters before introducing objects and layers sprinkled with some geometry. Next they built the point of a snowflake or the petal of a flower. To complete the snowflake or flower, they first grouped these parts together. Grouping them together ensures that no parts are left behind when resizing or moving the object. To keep the object proportional they practiced using the SHIFT when using click and drag. Once this new "layer" was ready they duplicated pieces (Control + d) then rotated them to complete their digital drawing.
For a six-sided snowflake, each part would need to be rotated in 60 degree increments, 60, 120, 180, 240, 200 and the original at 0/360. If their flower only had 5 petals each would be rotated at an increment of 72 degrees, 10 petals, 36 degrees each. Now they are working on making stop motion projects with Google Slides using these snowflakes and other creations made by myself or former students. I can't wait to show these to you soon.
See some examples:
Alphabet Letters - Criteria: Curve tool, blue interior, green border, transparent background, saved as png file. Don't see your letter, make sure you saved it properly and added it to Google Classroom.
Snowflakes
Flowers
