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Recycling & Video Games & Research!
It’s been a great Spring! With so much technology at our disposal, it’s nice to get some fresh air and enjoy God’s creation and this awesome weather! And while we’re at it, why not take care of it! That’s what the students have been focusing on this Spring… Some time indoors designing, creating and playing their own video game and/or researching… and then… getting some fresh air to learn how to take care of God’s earth! The teacher learns from the student though… Especially yesterday, as we welcomed Ms. Ramos into our classroom as our guest Teacher for the Day! She read to us …”Little Monsters Guide”, “The Computer Teacher from the Black Lagoon” and “Goodnight iPad”! And then taught us how to take care of our technology tools and gadgets and how even inanimate objects also need to be treated with respect 🙂 Then, she took us outside to go on a scavenger hunt to find things we can recycle or throw away around the school. We also found some of God’s creatures and living things like flowers, plants, butterflies, carpenter bees (or wood bees as the kids like to call them 😉 ) WAIT…there’s more!!!!! YES! Ms. Ramos took us back to the classroom to discuss our findings and award us a special prize: a lollipop! We had so much fun combining the learnings of technology with the learnings of nature! During our regularly scheduled program, we have been designing our very own video game in grades 3-5th. The students are learning how to design, create, debug, package and publish their own video game they can play. They have worked hard at learning the basics of programming and coding, so now it’s time to put those learnings to work and cook the meal (video game) using the recipe (coding/programming). That way we have a meal we can share and enjoy! I hope that analogy made sense 🙂 The students in K-2nd grade have been learning how to research using the search engines and YouTube Kids. 3rd grade has been learning how to organize their findings using Google Slides! 3rd grade is working on the 13 colonies! Kinder and 1st on planets! 2nd grade on sea animals! Mr. Carlos 🙂
April Update!
All grade levels Easter music and March Madness basketball rhythm/melody activities PRE-K Singing/playing “Naughty Kitty Cat” (reinforcing high/low and fast/slow) Kinder Singing/playing “We are Dancing in the Forest” (preparing to label and dictate quarter/eighth note patterns) First Singing/playing “Apple Tree” and “Al Citron” (reinforcing steady beat and preparing to label “so-mi”/minor 3rd patterns) Second and Third Singing/playing “Bounce High-Bounce Low” (creating own basketball notes to dictate “so-la-mi” melodic patterns on the staff. Fourth and Fifth Playing “Amazing Grace” on recorders (reinforcing letter name recognition in treble clef…preparing to label and practice conducting meter/time signatures)
April Update!
All grade levels Easter music and March Madness basketball rhythm/melody activities PRE-K Singing/playing “Naughty Kitty Cat” (reinforcing high/low and fast/slow) Kinder Singing/playing “We are Dancing in the Forest” (preparing to label and dictate quarter/eighth note patterns) First Singing/playing “Apple Tree” and “Al Citron” (reinforcing steady beat and preparing to label “so-mi”/minor 3rd patterns) Second and Third Singing/playing “Bounce High-Bounce Low” (creating own basketball notes to dictate “so-la-mi” melodic patterns on the staff. Fourth and Fifth Playing “Amazing Grace” on recorders (reinforcing letter name recognition in treble clef…preparing to label and practice conducting meter/time signatures)
Art Projects PreK – 5th
In art class, we have been busy busy!! The students have created quite a bit of projects which will be coming home at the end of the school year in a portfolio, which will also help protect their artwork. PRE-K 3 The Pre-K 3’s have learned about famous artist like Henri Matisse. They learned that he was the inventor of ‘collage’, cut paper of different shapes to create a work of art. Learning about placement of large shapes and small shapes of paper to create a ‘balance’ in their art piece is part of the learning process. PRE-K 4 The Pre-K 4’s have also been learning about a famous artist. Jackson Pollock and his invention of ‘splatter painting’. Naturally, I am not brave enough to let them splatter and throw paint around!!. Their lesson is entitled, “Pollock with out Paint”. Using oil pastels and several different size paper, including white and black colors. The students colored with no design necessary. Scribbling is the key to creating the appearance of splattered paint. Finally, the students cut out pieces of paper and glue to the large sheet as a final step to creating the art. KINDERGARTEN The Kinder classes have been working on a lesson inspired by Henri Matisse also, and his famous work of art entitled, “Les Betes de la Mer’ (The Beasts of the Sea). (No monsters, just fish and other sea life found in the ocean). This also, is a cut paper project. Following the shape that Matisse did in his original, the students started with a long rectangular paper. On this paper they glued four squares representing water in the ocean. We discussed the darkness of the deep deep ocean, therefore, the bottom square is black, next is purple, next dark blue and finally on top is light blue as the light filters through the water. The students cut out different shapes to be found in the ocean. We were not concerned with ‘realism’. The shapes are representations of sea life, water and plants found. FIRST GRADE The First grade classes have been very busy. We just finished our Primitive Art section (no photos yet). Recently, though the students created the most adorable “Self Portraits”. This lesson is focused on Elements of Art such as, shapes, lines, color, etc. The students used a table mirror to make observations about their faces, such as shape of face, color of eyes, and color of hair, hair style. We also discussed the placement/proportions of our features and their location on our head. This project always shows so much about personality too! SECOND GRADE Well, I must apologize. I don’t have pictures to share of Second Grade work! Believe me they have been busy busy. They just finished their famous artist piece entitled “Cat and Bird”, by Paul Klee. This is an oil pastel and watercolor picture. Also, the students are finishing a cut paper picture entitled “Cityscape”, which a picture of a city scene. In this lesson we discussed the art rule of “perspective”. The picture below is of our second grader Hunter Clarkson who is the Art Teacher of the Year. He led the classes on Tuesday this week, including his own class, which was quite fun and he was a great leader and so much help to me that day! I loved having an assistant!! THIRD GRADE The Third grade has just finished an art piece which is entitled, “Picasso and Math”. This lesson was a compliment to the field trip the 3 rd , 4 th and 5 th grade students took to the McNay Art Museum last month. The tour was entitled “Angles and Art”. In these art pieces the students took inspiration from a few of Picasso’s art pieces. We discussed the use of geometric shapes and lines in his work. The pictures are collages in which there was no drawing allowed, only paper of different types and some fabric which could be used.
FOURTH GRADE The Fourth grade class has just finished a project entitled, “Wooden Doors”. This project is a good example of a lesson which compliments their classroom lesson as the theme of their picture takes place during the American Revolution. Their picture is the inside of a home at this time with double doors which open to the outside. We discussed and looked at pictures of what type of items and furniture can be found in a home of this period. Another important part of this lesson was learning how to draw the table and chair using perspective principles. As the doors open, the student has decided if their house is in the country or town/city. FIFTH GRADE The Fifth grade class has finished a couple of projects recently. The project which ties into their fieldtrip is a lesson about the artist Piet Mondrian. Mondrian created very simple ‘looking’ paintings a squares with minimal color. But they learned that there is a lot of precision, balance and perfection in creating these paintings. The students had to color an example of a Mondrian painting using great care in their coloring technique and observations of placement of colors to create a visually balanced picture. Another recent project is called “Tessellations”, inspired by the artist M.C. Escher who also used mathematical formulas to create this art. The students had to create a shape from a small square and use the new shape as a pattern to trace repeatedly. The difficulty lies in cutting the shape with perfection so that when traced in a puzzle pattern the pieces lock together perfectly. Lastly, the students took inspiration from their shape and added details and color. Mrs. Leroy 🙂
Art Projects PreK – 5th
In art class, we have been busy busy!! The students have created quite a bit of projects which will be coming home at the end of the school year in a portfolio, which will also help protect their artwork. PRE-K 3 The Pre-K 3’s have learned about famous artist like Henri Matisse. They learned that he was the inventor of ‘collage’, cut paper of different shapes to create a work of art. Learning about placement of large shapes and small shapes of paper to create a ‘balance’ in their art piece is part of the learning process. PRE-K 4 The Pre-K 4’s have also been learning about a famous artist. Jackson Pollock and his invention of ‘splatter painting’. Naturally, I am not brave enough to let them splatter and throw paint around!!. Their lesson is entitled, “Pollock with out Paint”. Using oil pastels and several different size paper, including white and black colors. The students colored with no design necessary. Scribbling is the key to creating the appearance of splattered paint. Finally, the students cut out pieces of paper and glue to the large sheet as a final step to creating the art. KINDERGARTEN The Kinder classes have been working on a lesson inspired by Henri Matisse also, and his famous work of art entitled, “Les Betes de la Mer’ (The Beasts of the Sea). (No monsters, just fish and other sea life found in the ocean). This also, is a cut paper project. Following the shape that Matisse did in his original, the students started with a long rectangular paper. On this paper they glued four squares representing water in the ocean. We discussed the darkness of the deep deep ocean, therefore, the bottom square is black, next is purple, next dark blue and finally on top is light blue as the light filters through the water. The students cut out different shapes to be found in the ocean. We were not concerned with ‘realism’. The shapes are representations of sea life, water and plants found. FIRST GRADE The First grade classes have been very busy. We just finished our Primitive Art section (no photos yet). Recently, though the students created the most adorable “Self Portraits”. This lesson is focused on Elements of Art such as, shapes, lines, color, etc. The students used a table mirror to make observations about their faces, such as shape of face, color of eyes, and color of hair, hair style. We also discussed the placement/proportions of our features and their location on our head. This project always shows so much about personality too! SECOND GRADE Well, I must apologize. I don’t have pictures to share of Second Grade work! Believe me they have been busy busy. They just finished their famous artist piece entitled “Cat and Bird”, by Paul Klee. This is an oil pastel and watercolor picture. Also, the students are finishing a cut paper picture entitled “Cityscape”, which a picture of a city scene. In this lesson we discussed the art rule of “perspective”. The picture below is of our second grader Hunter Clarkson who is the Art Teacher of the Year. He led the classes on Tuesday this week, including his own class, which was quite fun and he was a great leader and so much help to me that day! I loved having an assistant!! THIRD GRADE The Third grade has just finished an art piece which is entitled, “Picasso and Math”. This lesson was a compliment to the field trip the 3 rd , 4 th and 5 th grade students took to the McNay Art Museum last month. The tour was entitled “Angles and Art”. In these art pieces the students took inspiration from a few of Picasso’s art pieces. We discussed the use of geometric shapes and lines in his work. The pictures are collages in which there was no drawing allowed, only paper of different types and some fabric which could be used.
FOURTH GRADE The Fourth grade class has just finished a project entitled, “Wooden Doors”. This project is a good example of a lesson which compliments their classroom lesson as the theme of their picture takes place during the American Revolution. Their picture is the inside of a home at this time with double doors which open to the outside. We discussed and looked at pictures of what type of items and furniture can be found in a home of this period. Another important part of this lesson was learning how to draw the table and chair using perspective principles. As the doors open, the student has decided if their house is in the country or town/city. FIFTH GRADE The Fifth grade class has finished a couple of projects recently. The project which ties into their fieldtrip is a lesson about the artist Piet Mondrian. Mondrian created very simple ‘looking’ paintings a squares with minimal color. But they learned that there is a lot of precision, balance and perfection in creating these paintings. The students had to color an example of a Mondrian painting using great care in their coloring technique and observations of placement of colors to create a visually balanced picture. Another recent project is called “Tessellations”, inspired by the artist M.C. Escher who also used mathematical formulas to create this art. The students had to create a shape from a small square and use the new shape as a pattern to trace repeatedly. The difficulty lies in cutting the shape with perfection so that when traced in a puzzle pattern the pieces lock together perfectly. Lastly, the students took inspiration from their shape and added details and color. Mrs. Leroy 🙂
Block-Based Coding
GOALS: Students will become familiar with the concept of procedural logic in an easy-to-digest manner. Students will work together to understand why algorithms are important. OVERVIEW:
Students will learn rudimentary algorithm by designing a pre-configured video game. In “Block-Based Coding”, students will learn the basics of coding logic. They will learn, as it were, the “ABCs” of a new language called “coding/programming”! “Block-Based Coding” is designed to help learn the basics and fundamentals of any programming language by using simple, single commands/actions to instruct the technology environment and teach it goals and tasks. Pre-configured blocks are used from a toolbox to place and order sequentially on-screen instructions for the character to perform, in this case, an alien! As the students move through each level, they will build upon each lesson designing and building a simulated video game. Each level will increase in difficulty, complexity, variability and most importantly….in fun! The students will learn how to problem solve by facing various obstacles within the game. Students will learn to be creative by finding new ways of coding…There is always more than one way to solve a problem! In the end, students will have the tools to build their confidence in planning, designing, problem solving and creating! Coding/programming is like any other language! It is a way of communicating your ideas, expressing yourself, instructing, teaching, learning, exploring… In this case, we are trying to communicate with a computer and not a human being 😉 And just like with human beings, we must be prudent, patient, kind, efficient, precise, intentional, and most importantly…always ready to learn…when we are communicating and interacting with technology! This is a very useful tool not just for the techs of the world, but for anyone who wants to increase their cognitive skills and ability to communicate effectively! BUT CODING IS SOOOOOOO HARD! Here is where the Power of YET comes in to play… YET! I don’t know how to do this… YET! I can’t do this… YET! I’m not good at this… YET! This doesn’t work… YET! I don’t get this… YET! It doesn’t make sense… YET! The Power of YET I can’t do that…ends a story I can’t do that YET …means anything is possible! Happy coding! Mr. Carlos 🙂
Block-Based Coding
GOALS: Students will become familiar with the concept of procedural logic in an easy-to-digest manner. Students will work together to understand why algorithms are important. OVERVIEW:
Students will learn rudimentary algorithm by designing a pre-configured video game. In “Block-Based Coding”, students will learn the basics of coding logic. They will learn, as it were, the “ABCs” of a new language called “coding/programming”! “Block-Based Coding” is designed to help learn the basics and fundamentals of any programming language by using simple, single commands/actions to instruct the technology environment and teach it goals and tasks. Pre-configured blocks are used from a toolbox to place and order sequentially on-screen instructions for the character to perform, in this case, an alien! As the students move through each level, they will build upon each lesson designing and building a simulated video game. Each level will increase in difficulty, complexity, variability and most importantly….in fun! The students will learn how to problem solve by facing various obstacles within the game. Students will learn to be creative by finding new ways of coding…There is always more than one way to solve a problem! In the end, students will have the tools to build their confidence in planning, designing, problem solving and creating! Coding/programming is like any other language! It is a way of communicating your ideas, expressing yourself, instructing, teaching, learning, exploring… In this case, we are trying to communicate with a computer and not a human being 😉 And just like with human beings, we must be prudent, patient, kind, efficient, precise, intentional, and most importantly…always ready to learn…when we are communicating and interacting with technology! This is a very useful tool not just for the techs of the world, but for anyone who wants to increase their cognitive skills and ability to communicate effectively! BUT CODING IS SOOOOOOO HARD! Here is where the Power of YET comes in to play… YET! I don’t know how to do this… YET! I can’t do this… YET! I’m not good at this… YET! This doesn’t work… YET! I don’t get this… YET! It doesn’t make sense… YET! The Power of YET I can’t do that…ends a story I can’t do that YET …means anything is possible! Happy coding! Mr. Carlos 🙂
Recycling Program @ BFSMS!
What better way to recycle and take care of God’s creation than to incorporate technology with our school and its environment! We are going to be learning about recycling in computer class and the students will have an opportunity to discuss how to implement recycling in our school. This will be the beginning stages of hopefully a recycling program where we can all collaborate as a community. First steps! We will start by designing recycling symbols and signs on iPads that we can then print to decorate and label recycling bags that the students will use to gather recyclable materials. The students will also play interactive games on iPads that help them practice recycling and sorting items virtually. Our What? Schoolwide recycling awareness day for National STEAM Day to kick start our very own BFSMS Recycling Program! Our When? November 8 and the rest of they school year! Our How? Students will use technology to start designing labels/signs to raise awareness of how we can better take care of God’s creation here at BFSMS. Then, with a partner, they will implement strategies to help recycle on campus throughout the school year. We will clean, sort, and find ways to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle! Our Why? “We don’t want to hurt God’s creation” – Michael Mihalski (Kindergarten) “We already are a blessing to others” – Sebastian Pettis (3rd grade) Overview of what Recycling is and what it can look like for our school: https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2022/10/04/what-is-actually-recycled-in-san-antonio-ksat-explains/ As we can see from these videos, we must be mindful of what and how we recycle especially the rules that are in place for recycling in San Antonio. Key Takeaways: The Core 4: Paper, Cardboard, Bottles, and Cans Always clean and dry recycled items before placing in recycling bin Never place anything smaller than a business card in a recycling bin Careful with lower grade plastics like candy wrappers (They might not be able to be captured) Take H-E-B grocery bags back to H-E-B for a more optimal solution Never place combustible materials in a recycling bin No diapers! Food scraps can be used for composting! (Green bin) Organic compost: Nitrogen (green materials like food scraps) + Carbon (brown materials like wood chips and leaves) = Food for the Earth! If there’s not a market for a certain material, it won’t be processed and will end up in a landfill But we don’t have a city recycling bin at our school so what do we do with the recycled materials??!! Options: 1. Take gathered recycled materials to drop-off locations approved by the City of San Antonio. 2. Drop-off recycled materials at recycling dumpsters at schools within the public school district. Most schools usually receive credit from the city to use as a means to raise funds. 3. Reuse materials for DIY projects in classroom and/or loose parts playground 4. Donate new or gently used supplies and materials to charity (Ex. PJ’s Children’s Home needs school supplies) 5. Collaborate with Gardening to compost any food scraps from the cafeteria. The 3 R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – Solution 1 (Reduce): We will implement ideas to reduce waste in our school by identifying common items that are being disposed of. – Solution 2 (Reuse): Recycled materials will be organized by category to be reused in school for projects. Did you know you can turn recycled paper and cardboard into bird feeders or bird houses? Or what about recycled paper? It can be turned into more paper! Or, melted down plastic can be turned into creative DIY projects! – Solution 3 (Recycle): Recycled materials will be organized by category and packed to be delivered to locations where they can be picked up by recycling companies. What can you recycle? Recyclable items include glass, paper and cardboard, steel, aluminum, some plastics, rubber and leather, wood, yard trimmings, food, and countless other items. City of San Antonio’s Recommended Focus: The Core 4: Paper, Cardboard, Bottles, and Cans Let’s be good stewards of God’s creation one step at a time! Happy recycling! Mr. Carlos 🙂 2024 BFSMS STEMSTEAM DAY RECYCLE PROGRAM (1) Download
Recycling Program @ BFSMS!
What better way to recycle and take care of God’s creation than to incorporate technology with our school and its environment! We are going to be learning about recycling in computer class and the students will have an opportunity to discuss how to implement recycling in our school. This will be the beginning stages of hopefully a recycling program where we can all collaborate as a community. First steps! We will start by designing recycling symbols and signs on iPads that we can then print to decorate and label recycling bags that the students will use to gather recyclable materials. The students will also play interactive games on iPads that help them practice recycling and sorting items virtually. Our What? Schoolwide recycling awareness day for National STEAM Day to kick start our very own BFSMS Recycling Program! Our When? November 8 and the rest of they school year! Our How? Students will use technology to start designing labels/signs to raise awareness of how we can better take care of God’s creation here at BFSMS. Then, with a partner, they will implement strategies to help recycle on campus throughout the school year. We will clean, sort, and find ways to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle! Our Why? “We don’t want to hurt God’s creation” – Michael Mihalski (Kindergarten) “We already are a blessing to others” – Sebastian Pettis (3rd grade) Overview of what Recycling is and what it can look like for our school: https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2022/10/04/what-is-actually-recycled-in-san-antonio-ksat-explains/ As we can see from these videos, we must be mindful of what and how we recycle especially the rules that are in place for recycling in San Antonio. Key Takeaways: The Core 4: Paper, Cardboard, Bottles, and Cans Always clean and dry recycled items before placing in recycling bin Never place anything smaller than a business card in a recycling bin Careful with lower grade plastics like candy wrappers (They might not be able to be captured) Take H-E-B grocery bags back to H-E-B for a more optimal solution Never place combustible materials in a recycling bin No diapers! Food scraps can be used for composting! (Green bin) Organic compost: Nitrogen (green materials like food scraps) + Carbon (brown materials like wood chips and leaves) = Food for the Earth! If there’s not a market for a certain material, it won’t be processed and will end up in a landfill But we don’t have a city recycling bin at our school so what do we do with the recycled materials??!! Options: 1. Take gathered recycled materials to drop-off locations approved by the City of San Antonio. 2. Drop-off recycled materials at recycling dumpsters at schools within the public school district. Most schools usually receive credit from the city to use as a means to raise funds. 3. Reuse materials for DIY projects in classroom and/or loose parts playground 4. Donate new or gently used supplies and materials to charity (Ex. PJ’s Children’s Home needs school supplies) 5. Collaborate with Gardening to compost any food scraps from the cafeteria. The 3 R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – Solution 1 (Reduce): We will implement ideas to reduce waste in our school by identifying common items that are being disposed of. – Solution 2 (Reuse): Recycled materials will be organized by category to be reused in school for projects. Did you know you can turn recycled paper and cardboard into bird feeders or bird houses? Or what about recycled paper? It can be turned into more paper! Or, melted down plastic can be turned into creative DIY projects! – Solution 3 (Recycle): Recycled materials will be organized by category and packed to be delivered to locations where they can be picked up by recycling companies. What can you recycle? Recyclable items include glass, paper and cardboard, steel, aluminum, some plastics, rubber and leather, wood, yard trimmings, food, and countless other items. City of San Antonio’s Recommended Focus: The Core 4: Paper, Cardboard, Bottles, and Cans Let’s be good stewards of God’s creation one step at a time! Happy recycling! Mr. Carlos 🙂 2024 BFSMS STEMSTEAM DAY RECYCLE PROGRAM (1) Download