Video Creation by our "3,2,1...Action!" Enrichment Cluster

On Friday, October 18th,  our "3,2,1...Action!" Enrichment Cluster had a special guest.  Roby Brown, Director of Video Services for Round Rock ISD, presented to the 4th and 5th grade students in the enrichment cluster.  The students used objects around the room to create the action in the film.  Then, they recorded the audio.  Below is a link to the finished project.

It was just the second meeting of the 4th and 5th grade enrichment clusters and the students are already movie makers!  Thank you to Mr. Brown for spending part of your Friday morning with us and enriching the lives of our kids.  Once again, another exciting opportunity that sets LME apart.

https://docs.google.com/a/roundrockisd.org/file/d/0B6_bxpaRGdShOXRQR0YwTGFjMkk/edit?usp=sharing

First Meeting of our 4th and 5th Grade Enrichment Clusters

This past Friday, our 4th and 5th grade students were VERY excited.  And not for the typical reasons "It is a Friday" reasons.  This Friday was special because these students had their first meeting with their enrichment clusters.  This year, our 4th and 5th grade students had a nineteen different enrichment cluster to choose from.  The students will meet with their enrichment clusters until Friday, December 6, 2013.  The Enrichment Cluster Showcase will be on Friday, December 13, 2013 (times will be announced later).  As you can read below, there were a variety of hands-on, engaging, fun, exciting activities that took place during these first meetings.  

We were honored to have 4 visitors from Barton Creek Elementary (BCE) in Eanes ISD observe the first meeting of our enrichment clusters.  One of the teachers from BCE contacted me over the summer inquiring about the SEM and enrichment clusters.  Two of the classes at BCE are going to try our enrichment clusters in January and wanted to see the first meeting in action.  They had a great visit and were very impressed by our students and staff.  They could see that enrichment clusters are one of the many things we do that sets LME apart.  

Please take a few minutes and read over the summaries from last Friday's enrichment cluster meetings.

The Clay Creators: The Clay Creators  began with 2 short Reading Rainbow videos that showed how the Naranjo family, in New Mexico, mixed clay and made pots and bowls using the coil technique. The second video showed an artist in Hawaii, inspired by the volcanoes, using the potters wheel and raku firing his pots. Students shared ideas about what they would like to do for service and decided to give some of their products to the Empty Bowl Project in Round Rock to benefit the Round Rock Food Bank. They would like to market it and attend also. Then students used the pinch pot technique to make a bowl, while one student began to experience the potter's wheel.

Scratch the Surface: During the first session of our "Scratch the Surface" enrichment cluster the students explored the program. They viewed games made by other students across the country and around the world. They were even able to play these games and try to remix or edit and change them to their liking. Next week the students will do a step by step online tutorial to teach them how to program with Scratch.

The LME Computer Institute: The LME Computer Institute had a very productive first meeting. We started off with a general discussion of computers, taking a look back at the history of computers as they progressed from room-filling devices to the smart devices we use today. We also witnessed 50 years of computer graphics evolution over a few minutes. Our young information technology specialists looked inside computers and discussed the function of some of the parts inside. Then they sketched their ideas for the next step in computer evolution. Finally, we had a group discussion of what aspects of computers are most interesting to us. These will be the foundation for the remainder of the cluster as we explore your children's interests at the LME Computer Institute.

Awesome Authors Cluster: The Awesome Authors Cluster started out by brainstorming jobs that people with a love for writing might have. Some of our ideas were: journalists,newspaper, publisher, editor, technical writer, teacher, textbook writer, website creator, and music/lyric writer. After that, Mrs. Jackson shared Chris Van Allsburg's books with us. She read one of her favorites, The Widow's Broom. Next, we brainstormed what we wanted the cluster to be and what we wanted to do. Some of our ideas were: read a book and write a sequel, read a book and write a different ending, or make a short story book. We decided that an authentic audience could be Barnes and Noble, the public library, or maybe Starbucks. We then worked on a piece of writing of our own.

To Be or Not to Be: In our enrichment cluster, we looked at the part of the script from Hamlet from which our cluster name came. We discussed the meaning and the teacher demonstrated different ways it could be said. We talked about improvisation and did three different improv activities. We discussed whether we wanted to perform for an audience (we did!) and whether to write our own script(s) or use one already written. (We’re not sure yet.)

PowerPoint Cluster: In the PowerPoint cluster, we looked at a few PowerPoint presentations and decided what was wrong with the slides. From confusing colors, hidden words to crowded slides, we discussed what made presentations more appealing. We talked about possible products and/or services and are going to continue deciding next Friday. 

FORE! As the students came in they all got a chance to meet each other and we discussed a few questions to see what knowledge and exposure they had to the game. We proceeded into a light warm up and stretches then discussed the importance of it and that it's a routine/process amateurs and professionals take to prepare for the game. Then, we moved into the activity where the students practiced and learned the proper grip, stance and swing of the club. Students had a chance to rotate in stations where they practiced their skills in chipping and putting. At the end of class, Mr. Dones briefly  explained what we would cover during the next class and asked to think of a name for the cluster. The students we also asked to think of ideas of what they would like to do with their knowledge of the game that could help other people. 

The Caring Crafters: The Caring Crafters enrichment cluster started off our hour discussing the types of crafts the students enjoy and brainstorming on the crafts we would like to make and who they will benefit. They decided on: felt dog toys for the animal shelter, rubber band loom bracelets for children at Dell's Children's Hospital, water bottle bird feeders for the Preserve and no-sew fleece blankets for the Austin Children's Shelter. After making our plan for the next 8 weeks, the students made their first craft, pumpkins made from dryer venting that be used as decorations at the Fall Carnival. 

 Web...Web..Websites: Students explored the all the behind the scenes of a website; understanding htmls, various browsers and the behind the scenes code work that is put into each website. After looking at the world's worst website students recognized the importance of creating a purposeful website and brainstormed ways to create a website full of purpose! Next, we'll decide on our web host...will it be a google site, wix or a weebly? Stay tuned!

Brown Bag It: We are very excited at Brown Bag It!!! We watched an interview with a chef and discovered it takes a lot of talent to work in the culinary field. We then talked about what we want to do with our cluster and who our authentic audience could be. Everyone took away a dough nut in a brown bag. What will be in the bag next week?

3,2,1...Action! Our enrichment cluster introduced classroom expectations. I also surveyed the class on what they thought might be interesting as well as what they would like to create. I modeled how to take different shot with our flip cameras, and then the students got the chance to try it out. They learned how long to shoot for as well as how to manage pictures. We then started to create our first scene by planning it out on paper before you shoot with our cameras.

Games! Games! Games! The students in the "Games! Games! Games!" enrichment  cluster generated a list of games that are their favorites and games they'd like to learn to play. We also played Mrs. Sorrell's version of tic-tac-toe, learned to play a dice game called Snake Eyes, and then broke into groups of 4 to play some board games. The possibility of teaching younger students to play some games and/or visiting an assisted living facility to play card or board games with some of the residents was also discussed.

Global Cooking: The Global Cooking enrichment cluster explored the country and foods of Argentina with our wonderful parent volunteer Mrs. O'Donnell. We measured, mixed, cracked eggs, and baked to make a delicious appetizer of cheese balls. Students were fully engaged in the culinary arts and excited to learn about more cultures and the recipes they share. 

Health Career Cadets: The Health Career Cadets began our cluster with a brief discussion of the vast nature of the health care field, which is the second fastest growing career field available to new professionals. We created patient charts where we will log our observations and track progress towards our “treatment plans” (goals) for the cluster. We reviewed the agenda of careers we will learn about and skills we could learn from various health professionals coming to speak to us throughout our cluster. Mrs. Justice spoke briefly about mental health and counseling as part of the helping professions in health care, and outlined the education needed for various mental health careers. We then spent the remaining half hour exploring: we had different books about health careers and the human body, as well as a myriad of break apart, realistic models including a model eye, teeth, heart, internal organ set, brain, and skeleton, among others. We left our cluster energized and looking forward to learning more about the world of health careers and skills needed in this valuable and expansive career field. 

LEGO Discovery: The "LEGO Discovery" enrichment cluster investigated a variety of creative uses for Lego bricks. Members explored Lego architecture, sculpture, stop motion films, simple machines, and robotics to help define the direction for our cluster. 

Kids Helping Kids: The "Kids Helping Kids" enrichment cluster discussed different ways of how to help other "kids" in the community. They decided to check in with the Red Cross and the students at Westwood High School that have a group working with the Red Cross to see if a partnership could be formed.

Bonding with Chemistry: In our enrichment cluster we talked about chemical bonding and learned that combining glue, Borax, and cornstarch created a bouncing “polymer” ball. We’re excited about the future hands on experiments we get to explore!

Printing Imagination Station: Today in our first "Printing Imagination Station" enrichment cluster we learned about how to do screen printing. We watched a Bill Nye Video about the history of printing.We also talked about and started to make designs/sketches on what we would like to print. We talk about what we would print on. On the first day we printed "Laurel Mountain Rocks" and " I love Laurel Mountain" book marks. This is going to be a creative and fun E-cluster!

Into the World: Citizen Scientist: This morning students took a short survey/quiz regarding their current knowledge of citizen science, biodiversity and technology/apps available for science, we went over the introductory information, and then went outside to practice using the camera function on the tablets.