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
Recharge Ed occurred Saturday morning at Kettle Moraine Middle School. It was an UnConference focused on personalized learning. After a long week, it was a wonderful experience. So what was recharging about getting up at 6:00 A.M. on a Saturday to go to school? Traffic on a Saturday at 7:00 a.m. is actually quite light. Feels pretty good to own the interstate even when I-94 only has one lane open. Pulling into Kettle Moraine Middle School to see a parking lot full of cars. Seeing a fellow science teacher from Brookfield Central High School walking in the door right ahead of me. Freshly brewed coffee when you walk in the door. Staff from Kettle Moraine School District taking their time on a weekend to host an event. It's really something to look at a schedule and see so many wonderful options available. (Links will take you to session notes. So, click away) Being in rooms where teaching are sharing the many ways (so many ways) they are finding to improve instr