1st Grade Idea Lab Update

We’ve been delving into some exciting projects and activities that encourage critical thinking, creativity, and hands-on learning! Here’s what we’ve been up to in 1st grade:

Missouri Green Schools Quest

Our 1st graders are participating in the Missouri Green Schools Quest, which focuses this year on biodiversity and wellness. Inspired by last year’s bird restoration project, students decided to build upon this initiative to support local birds further.

• For the bird restoration area, students are studying birds native to our region. They’ve identified the need for sturdier feeders and nesting boxes suitable for these birds.

• This project stems from the fact that many trees were removed during the construction of our new Spoede building, disrupting natural bird habitats. With a global bird population decline, this effort is an essential step toward creating a welcoming environment for our feathered friends. This is the area that we want to work to improve:

• To support biodiversity, students also planted Missouri wildflowers, both in the bird restoration area and in Spoede’s garden, with the help of Elliot’s dad. We were thrilled to see sprouts before the snow, and we’re eagerly watching to see how these plants thrive come spring.

This meaningful work combines ecological awareness, teamwork, and a commitment to improving our environment!

Convergent Thinking Activities

To hone their logical and problem-solving skills, students have been engaged in Convergent Thinking through a variety of activities:

• Mathematical Magic Triangle: Students used numbers to balance the triangle so that the sums on each side were equal. This activity required persistence and critical thinking as they explored different combinations to solve the puzzle.

• Unifix Cube Sudoku: A colorful twist on traditional Sudoku! Students used Unifix Cubes to solve puzzles, placing cubes of different colors into a grid so that no color repeated in a row, column, or box. This hands-on approach makes logical thinking engaging and accessible for young learners.

• Mystery Logic Puzzles: Using clues, students solved scenarios to uncover answers. These puzzles challenged them to think critically and eliminate possibilities systematically.

• Decoding and Encoding a Cipher: Students explored the fascinating world of cryptography by learning to encode and decode simple ciphers. This activity combined logic and creativity, helping them understand how patterns and problem-solving can be used to send and interpret secret messages.

Introduction to Coding and Robotics

We also introduced students to the fundamentals of coding-- first creating a hands-on maze that they had to use a written code to get a Hex Bug through the Maze.

 
Then we moved to a device and used Scratch Jr., a beginner-friendly platform that teaches coding concepts in a fun, interactive way. Students created simple programs and learned how to sequence instructions to achieve desired outcomes.
Building on their coding knowledge, students applied their skills with LEGO WeDo Robotics kits. They constructed robots and programmed them to perform specific tasks, blending engineering and coding in a hands-on, collaborative environment. This activity allowed students to see the tangible results of their coding efforts and fostered teamwork and perseverance.

We are so proud of the creativity, problem-solving, and enthusiasm students have shown in all these activities. Whether it’s restoring habitats, solving puzzles, or building robots, your children are learning to think critically, collaborate, and make a positive impact. Thank you for your continued support! Please be on the lookout for a possible way that you can help us with our Green Schools Quest project! 

4th Grade First Lego League Challenge Event

So excited to celebrate the achievements of our teams at our First Lego League (FLL) Challenge event held yesterday at Spoede Elementary! The event marked the culmination of months of hard work, creativity, and problem-solving, and I couldn’t be prouder of our two teams.

The Bio Builders team was recognized for their Teamwork and their outstanding Innovation Project. Their project tackled a pressing environmental issue by creating bioplastic—a completely biodegradable and compostable alternative to traditional plastics. After consulting with the mayor, the students took on the challenge of encouraging local buyers and consumers to adopt this eco-friendly option, which is already available in stores but not widely known.

The team’s journey was not without its challenges. They persevered through numerous trials to try and perfect their bioplastic formula, demonstrating that if a group of 4th graders can innovate and make a difference, businesses and consumers can too! Their bioplastic decomposes in months—a stark contrast to the many, many years it takes for traditional plastic to break down.
The Bio Builders also showed resilience during the Robot Game. When their main coder was unable to attend the competition, the team rallied together, displaying perseverance and a never-give-up attitude.

The Fantastic Fungi Fanatics were recognized for their outstanding research and Innovation Project. Their project addressed the growing issue of plastic pollution in our oceans. Thanks to Elina's mom, students were able to get feedback from scientists from Washington University that validated their approach. The team developed a prototype tank featuring marine fungi capable of consuming plastic. Their innovative solution not only highlighted a potential way to tackle ocean pollution but also reminded us all to be mindful of our plastic consumption.

In addition to their Innovation Project, the team impressed me with their skills at the Robot Game table. They chose to design and use an advanced base—something many teams didn’t attempt—and executed their strategy with focus and precision. Their ability to remain locked in and work together under pressure was great to see. 

Here is a link with more photos from the event.

So, so proud of these two teams!  OUTSTANDING WORK! 

2nd/3rd Grade First Lego League Explore

This semester, our 2nd and 3rd graders have been diving deep into the ocean—figuratively speaking, of course! As part of the First Lego League Explore season called Submerged, students have been working in teams to tackle some of the most pressing challenges facing our oceans today.

Each team has been hard at work designing a team model that provides a creative solution to an ocean-related problem. Here are some of the important issues our young innovators have been exploring:

• Chemical Pollution: Teams brainstormed ways to reduce harmful chemicals entering the ocean and proposed solutions to clean up existing pollution.
• Artificial Habitats for Coral Reefs: Students investigated how artificial habitats could support marine life as coral reefs continue to face threats from warming waters and pollution.
• Plastic Pollution: One team is creating a model to address plastic pollution by designing innovative ways to clean up ocean debris and reduce plastic waste.
• Noise Pollution: Another team is working on a solution to minimize noise pollution, which can disrupt marine life communication and navigation.

We’re excited to invite you to a special showcase where students will present their team models and share what they’ve learned about ocean challenges and their innovative solutions after the break! Excited for you to see what your children have accomplished and to celebrate their achievements together.

1st Grade P.E.T.S.

I’m excited to share the awesome learning experiences your children have been engaged in through our Primary Education Thinking Systems (P.E.T.S.) program! We’ve been working on developing our thinking skills in fun and innovative ways, finding areas of strength and identifying opportunities for growth. 

Mag the Magician: Visual-Spatial Intelligence
Our first focus was to enhance visual-spatial intelligence, with a variety of games and activities to develop this skill. Here’s a look at some of the games/activities we’ve explored:
Tangrams: This classic puzzle involves rearranging geometric shapes to form a specific image, helping students improve spatial reasoning and problem-solving. Click the picture above if your child would like to try tangrams at home. Students also have a paper set that we sent home for practice.


SET: A fast-paced card game that sharpens pattern recognition and logical thinking as students race to find sets of three cards with matching or contrasting characteristics. (Click the picture below if your child would like to play the game SET at home.)

QBitz: Players recreate patterns using cubes in a time-based challenge, which boosts spatial visualization and memory skills.


Blink: A quick card game where players must match shapes, colors, or numbers, promoting visual processing speed.

Katamino: is a versatile puzzle game that challenges players to fit geometric pieces into a grid, enhancing spatial reasoning, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills for all ages.


Quirkle: A tile-laying game that encourages strategic thinking as students match colors and shapes in rows and columns.
Kanoodle: A brain-teasing puzzle game that requires students to fit different shaped pieces into a grid, challenging their spatial logic and planning.


Dudley the Detective: Logical Thinking
We’ve also started thinking like Dudley the Detective, focusing on logic and critical thinking through a variety of puzzles and games:

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Mastermind: A code-breaking game where students must use deduction and logic to crack their partner's secret code.

Sudoku: The kids’ version of this classic number or picture puzzle helps students develop logical thinking by placing numbers or pictures in grids without repeating them in rows or columns.

              
Other games you can encourage your child to play that will help with Logical-Deductive Reasoning: Chess, Clue, Guess Who, Rush Hour, and Rubik's Cube.  

These games and activities allow us to strengthen our minds while having fun! I’m so proud of the growth I’m seeing in each student and look forward to continuing our learning journey.

 

4th Grade is SUBMERGED!

We are excited to dive into our First Lego League Challenge: Submerged Season! Our students are eagerly engaging in activities that not only enhance their STEM skills but also foster critical thinking, teamwork, and creativity. Here's what we've been working on...

 

 

Robot Mission Builds:
Students are constructing robot missions for the Robot Game Table. Many of our younger students have commented on how cool these look when they walk into our room! These missions are designed to solve challenges related to underwater exploration, where students practice programming and engineering skills using LEGO SPIKE Prime Robots that they are building. 


Robot Training Camp: 
Students have been building foundational skills in robotics and coding. They are learning about the gear systems, motors, and sensors for the SPIKE Prime Robot. Students are using code to make their robot move, turn, lift and drop objects. Students are learning to use loops and conditionals that will allow robots to make decisions and repeat tasks as needed. 

   Exploring Ocean Layers:
In our research, we are learning about the different layers of the ocean, from the sunlight zone, twilight zone, midnight zone, and even further into abyssal mysterious depths. We've created species in each layer to transform our classroom. 

Innovation Project:
Soon students will embark on the Innovation Project adventure where they will choose a problem to solve in the ocean's depths and create a solution with their teammates. 
Ways you can help:

• Encourage curiosity by asking your child about the Submerged season. 
• Reinforce teamwork by discussing how they’re collaborating with their peers to solve problems.
• Stay engaged with the season by checking our updates and photos from our projects!

We’re proud of all the hard work and excitement our students are showing, and we can't wait to see where their imagination takes them during the Submerged Season. Click HERE to learn more.

Save the date for our Challenge Event: DECEMBER 7th!

 

4th Grade Architecture Update

 Students have been very engaged in their architecture unit this quarter. 

After learning about many different architectural features, students taught their peers about a particular style of architecture in history and created a 3D model to represent their style.

Students had to note particular features, find buildings both in the world and around St. Louis in that style, and create a quiz for their peers to give at the end of the presentation.  

After learning about architectural features and styles, students learned that architects and engineers work together to create stable, safe structures.  Many different types of engineers work with architects.  Students tried their hand at civil engineering by planning a two-level parking garage that had to hold 8 toy cars safely, an on/off ramp, entrance, exit, and parking spaces.  

Our prototypes consisted of wooden Keva planks, but students learned that steel and concrete would most likely be used to hold the weight of many vehicles. Students learned about the requirements and constraints that many architects and engineers must face. 

Recently, students took a field trip to the Missouri History Museum and participated in a hands-on experience called Building Brick City. 

Students discussed the past and the present of St. Louis architecture with the guidance of history museum docents.

There were many interesting St. Louis artifacts to see and read about.

The students learned about the design process and the making of the St. Louis Arch. If our present design had not won the concept, see what might have been in place of the St. Louis Arch (below). Many agreed that we like the look of the present Arch and its symbolism the best.

We also saw and read about interesting trivia related to St. Louis architecture.  If this interests you, I highly suggest taking the family there for a visit.  It's free, and it's part of the Color STL exhibit which is also really fun for all ages.  

The second part of the field trip involved a hands-on experiment and design challenge.  
Challenge: Design a home that can withstand a common St. Louis problem (flooding). 
Experiment first with materials to find the best material for your home's design.  
Students worked in teams to complete the experiment first and then worked individually on a home design.  

We have really enjoyed learning about architecture.  As you take a drive around the St. Louis area, I hope the students take note of what we've learned and share their knowledge with you.  There are so many wonderful architectural features and styles in our city. 

Students also learned about some of the mathematic components of architectural design when having to design a bedroom, bathroom, closet of their dreams using specific area and perimeter design specifications.  
Students presented their dream rooms to their peers.

We are finding ourselves at the end of our unit! The semester has flown by!  Students are now working on their final architecture project.
The project includes designing an architectural structure for the future. Designs must include features for accessibility and sustainability. Presently, students are creating a 3D rendering using TinkerCad. They are also creating a 3D rendering of one interior room using a digital tool called Floorplanner.

 Seriously... look at these hard-working, curious kids! 

I will sincerely miss this group when they leave Spoede Elementary!