Flying Lion Travel Agency
We had a GREAT time learning to be junior travel agents in the “Flying Lion Travel Agency” enrichment cluster. First, we learned about what a travel agent does and brainstormed ideas for exciting travel destinations. Our cluster learned about all elements of planning for a trip: picking where we'd like to go, booking a flight, selecting hotels, developing an itinerary, renting a car, and even choosing restaurants. We researched our destinations through print and online media and prepared presentations that highlight the amazing things you can do and see on our trips! Finally, our cluster members designed business cards and collected our best travel plans together to share with all of you! Welcome aboard!
Girls in Technology
Wow! What a fun time we had using technology to learn, create and implement. We had a group of girls with many different interests and ideas on how they wanted to use technology. There was a group of Urban Planners that used Minecraft to design a new community for the fast growth of Austin, TX. Music Engineers were in the making as they used Makey Makey to compose pieces with different instruments and beats to make beautiful music. Lastly, we had Designers creating a fun obstacle course for Spheros. The girls had fun exploring these technology and working together. We are ready to be hired by these companies. Girls in Technology Rocks!
Drawing: The Magic of Your Pencil
The time flew in our drawing cluster. It was fun to see the children have time to engage in their passion for drawing. Every week, we all seemed surprised when the hour was over. Students experimented with different methods to help provide guidance to their drawings, such as online lessons and learning to work with various shading tools such as chamois, tortillions, stumps and various eraser types. We hope you will join us at the Showcase to see their art. Laurel Mountain has some very talented artists! I can’t wait to see what the future holds for them.
Lost in Books
What a fabulous, fun-filled 8 weeks! We skyped with an author, Nikki Loftin, and learned about how she loves to sing opera to her goats. We then divided ourselves into groups where some of us wrote comics, designed a game with book prizes, wrote a script for KPAW for book recommendations, hung up signs to encourage LME students to donate gently used books to Book Spring, and created Lending Libraries for K-1st, 2nd-3rd and 4th-5th grades. We cannot wait to show off our hard work at the Enrichment Cluster Showcase!
Crafting with a Purpose
“Crafting with a Purpose” students created many unique items to give to family and friends. This included picture frames and pencil cases as well as several individually designed items. They also made Valentine's' for veterans and children in the hospital. “Crafting with a Purpose” participants used a variety of supplies to make their creations. They really reached "out of the box" to stretch their creative juices.
Clay Creators
Our “Clay Creators” have created many wonderful products using the clay techniques. They are looking forward to sharing their knowledge with you at the Showcase this Friday. For the last 3 Fridays they have been glazing their work. This week they are going to be fired in the kiln. Hope to see you this Friday!!
Wonderful World of Watercolor
The “Wonderful World of Watercolor” cluster produced some fabulous works of art! We learned some interesting techniques, proper use of watercolors and were given the opportunity to explore our creativity and talents with painting. We were excited to make lots of bookmarks to send to the Libraries of Love in Uganda for the children to use while reading the many books that LME helped collect!
Coding Fun
“Coding Fun” students created many projects using the Scratch website. Some students used tutorials to create a pong type game with different sprites (coded characters or objects). Other students created a music simulator. When you hit a key on the keyboard it would play music. There were some projects that were races. Throughout this cluster students used their imagination, problem solving skills and teamwork. They also learned patience and cooperation.
Play Yard Planners
The “Play Yard Planners” rounded out our cluster with the completion of a final budget for our Mikey's Play Yard improvement plan. We included a pitch for a hydration station in September and May, the hottest months outside, as well as a first aid station and several new games and activities to add to the Play Yard. Thanks to Maya Granoff, one of our 5th grade students, we were almost able to fund the plan wholly with grant money she received for our plan. We up-cycled rocks gathered in the Play Yard to replace missing checkers pieces by painting them red and black and learned a lot about the planning and budgeting process as we worked in small teams on our various projects. We also practiced collaboration with stakeholders and decision makers in a team format, inviting Mrs. Kelley, Assistant Principal, to visit several times. Look for improvements to this space after spring break and e-news and KPAW announcements as we unveil the additions to Mikey's. We hope our 1st-5th grade students enjoy these additions and services. Come by our showcase booth on Friday, March 3rd for a peek at what is to come!
Abracadabra
Sixteen boys have enjoyed gathering on Fridays for the “Abracadabra” enrichment cluster to discover the mystery of magic. We learned secrets and "slight of the hand" surprises from Magician Jay Garcia the first week, followed by many weeks of practicing and performing tricks taught by our cluster friends and coordinators Mrs. Pyles and Mrs. Bretsch. We discovered there are many opportunities where magicians can perform for others. Each student created a memory book with notes from Mr. Garcia's visit along with "how to" reminders of the card tricks we learned. The last few weeks was spent perfecting our performances and videotaping for our Showcase Video that will be on display. Everyone worked hard and encouraged each other while exploring the World of Magic.
Help Save the Animals!
The students in Portable 4 have been busy discovering ways to help save endangered animals. They have also been busy brainstorming ways they can help everyone else develop a passion to protect these animals. After much research, exciting games, and a trip to the Preserve, the students have developed posters, puppets, paintings, Google presentations, and clay dioramas to inspire their audience to join the cause of saving the animals!
Take One
We have spent the past couple of months on a cinematography quest. Students have honed their skills with IPads, created scenes, practiced their acting skills, and learned how to use Lego Movie Maker, Storyboard, and IMovie apps. All of our students have at least one movie saved in their Google Drive so that they can share their work with family and friends. Our cinematographers are very excited to present their work at the showcase!
Global Cooking
The “Global Cooking” enrichment cluster excitedly hosted parent volunteers to assist us in preparing a recipe from each of their cultures. We "visited" India, Mexico, Russia, China, Turkey, and America through our culinary experiences. As their products and keepsakes the students chose to make a Global Passport Cookbook, an apron, and a chef's hat. Our service opportunity was contributing to the LME PTA Global Cookbook as well as advertising how students and families can also submit their favorite recipes by creating a KPAW commercial and handing out QR codes of submission form link at the 2nd/3rd grade cluster showcase. The cooking cluster was as fun as it was delicious!
LEGO Challenge
The “LEGO Challenge” group had a blast with LEGOs this session. We had challenges for fastest LEGO car, tallest building, crazy creatures, coolest mode of transportation and finally we connected motors to LEGOs and programmed them to move up and down and all around. At the showcase we'll have examples of the best LEGO creation in each category. The motorized LEGOs include a giant being lifted up, a sailboat drifting up and down and an airplane with a moving propeller. We all wish there was more time to make more wonderful creations.
Lions to the Rescue
Wow! We accomplished so much in eight weeks...from learning about shelters and dog trainers that help train shelter dogs to making blankets and toys for cats and dogs! We were also able to collect many donations to help Texas Humane Heroes in Leander. We will be delivering these donations to the shelter this weekend. Most of all, we learned that shelters are very important places that provide temporary homes for cats and dogs until they find their forever homes and there are many things we can do to help make their stay at the shelter more comfortable. We even have a couple of Lions that have volunteered at the shelter!
Working with Whiskers
The "Working with Whiskers" enrichment cluster had a fun and exciting time learning about a few of the many careers available working with furry creatures of all sizes. We kicked our cluster off by learning about Dog Grooming, and even got to give a real dog, Rocky, a bath and some brushing. Everyone wanted to take turns, so Rocky was very well groomed, and happy, by the end of the class! Then we met Dr. Davies, who taught us all about being a veterinarian. She showed us how to care for our pet's teeth, talked to us about some of the foods dogs and cats should and shouldn't eat, and discussed some of the common ailments that affect dogs and cats. Dr. Davies showed us kidney stones that she removed form a dog, and she even had jars with real tape worms and flat worms to show us, while explaining about parasites. The following week we joined the Lions to the Rescue cluster and meet Megan and her dog, Penny. Megan is a dog trainer, and she showed us how she trains dogs, and we even got to help her teach Penny a new trick. Finally, we learned about becoming a Pet Nutritionist and made healthy dog treats with yummy ingredients like oats, sun butter, carrots and sweet potatoes! We hope you will join us at our showcase and learn all about how to keep your pets healthy and safe. While you’re there, please ask for a sample of the healthy dog treats we made for your dog.
