On Friday, I was so pleased to be able to return to one of my favorite days of the year, High-Interest Day at Brookfield Elementary School. This is a day where I have been able to bring the concepts of physics to k-5 graders. You may be asking yourself, "Elementary students doing physics?" YES! Not just experimenting, but understanding the concepts behind the physics of electricity and sound. This is a very special day I have had the opportunity to be involved in since 2017. So, how are we able to bring the concepts of electricity and sound traditionally taught to high school 11th and 12th graders to the elementary level? There are a few keys 1) make it a hands-on experience 2) remove the mathematical calculations and make it practical. In the past, I had the luck of bringing a handful of my physics students with me to guide the elementary students through the concepts that they had learned over the course of the year. But in my new role as a Teaching and Learning Speciali
So, 4th block students have a rough question or goal. Now what? Well, that depends on what type of project students are undertaking. Over days 3 and 4, I set up a little list for my 4th block students. But, just like the inquiry process suggests, it starts with finding resources and doing some research. These are not prescribed steps, just suggestions for those who need the guidance. For those who are digging deep into content knowledge: Research: get background on your topic to refine your focus. Find “texts” Read “texts” Record relevant info. For those who are looking to improve performance of a skill: Research: get background on your skill and how you can improve? (record this!) What is your plan for improvement? How will you track data? For those who are looking to perform a specific task or create a specific product: Research: get background on what your product will entail? (record this!) What is your plan for completing the produ