Meadow Park Elementary School

Our Projects Through the Years

Omega is a project-based class!        Creativity - Deductive Reasoning - Critical Thinking - Collaberation - Cooperation -

Omega is a Project Based Class (Pictures will be inserted in the future) 2011 - 2012 MY TOY FACTORY 1ST QUARTER- Through a strange series of events, each student has transformed into an owner of an educational toy and game company. The class is in the process of acquiring information that relates to anatomy, so that each student can create an educational game to teach others. Comparative charts have been created in Microsoft Excel. On the side they have been exposed to algebraic equations, deductive reasoning, sign language and have created a rhyming poem about returning to school this year. 2ND QUARTER - An educational board game teaching others about anatomy has been completed by every student.  They also made a lanyard that was strung with beads to match a personalized algebraic formula. These are prototypes ready for  each student's toy factory "production", particularly with a very persuasive catalog ad to accompany it. 3RD QUARTER - This quarter the students have been busy designing their toy factories using a CAD program. After printing a birds-eye view, they drew a floor plan, determined its potential cost, and wrote a letter to the bank asking for financing.  Production-wise they have created a fantasy story to accompany a magical box and have learned all about internal combustion engines, concept cars and tires in order to create the perfect kid car. 4TH QUARTER - Using an introduction to robotics as a conduit, the students were exposed to understanding electricity, magnetism and electromagnetic motors.  Biographical timelines of famous individuals were researched and formed the basis of our toothbrush robots' arenas.   Variables were tested in multiple ways; striving to achieve the perfectly functioning robot.  On the side, an animation program was learned, classical music appreciated and "Variation of a Theme" explored in many modes. SPRING OF 2010 AFRICAN PROJECTS (CLICK ON INDIVIDUAL SCHOOLS TO THE RIGHT) NAENEIL ARMSTRONG ELEMENTARY SJESALLIE JONES ELEMENTARY VES VINELAND ELEMENTARY FALL OF 2009   WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO BUILD? What a challenge!  We were both the client and the architect.  Based on our personal profiles, we each designed the ultimate classrooms. After wrestling with Google Sketch-Up, we made a water color portrait of our building site along with our own thumb nail sketches and a letter to our client, (ourselves) with a headline of course.  Our OMEGA class also made the ultimate floor plan for perfect classroom!  You should come to see these crazy designs that came from the minds of OMEGA students! 2008-2009 - MY VERY OWN COUNTRY! Our main projects involved: creating an imaginary vehicle based on all the rules of Science; doing research report on a European country; and creating a brand new country based on European similarities. We also analyzed the book, Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch  by Eileen Spinelli. The class explored using expanded versions of the Thinking Maps used in their regular classrooms. Remembering the Fall of 2009 What a challenge!  We were both the client and the architect.  Based on our personal profiles, we each designed the ultimate classrooms. After wrestling with Google Sketch-Up, we made a water color portrait of our building site along with our own thumb nail sketches and a letter to our client, (ourselves) with a headline of course.  Our OMEGA class also made the ultimate floor plan for perfect classroom!  You should come to see these crazy designs that came from the minds of OMEGA students!   2007- 2008     VISIT MY ISLAND!     The students developed an island community last year.  They wanted to do something to welcome newborns to the island/world.  They settled on making blankets. The process was as follows: KWL (What you know, want to learn, learned) chart was created to discuss what the students wanted to learn and what theme they would like the blanket to have.  It was decided that Science would be the theme.  As there was no majority re: realistic vs. abstract depictions, both were decided upon. Approximately Sixty students participated in quilt making- @20quilts were made.   Whole class studied in depth: Simple Machines; Levers, Pulleys, Wheel & Axles, Inclined Planes, Screws, Wedges, Complex Machine- (Sewing Machine was used as an example.)         - Students had to hypothesize how a sewing machine worked          - Pictures were drawn         - An older sewing machine was taken somewhat apart and viewed by students.           -All the simple machines were identified and machine’s workings analyzed. Mentor: Eric of Eric’s Sewing Machines came to KES classroom and discussed how a sewing machine works- what his job is – why he enjoys his job Video was made to allow other OMEGA Resource classes in the county to learn from Eric Books Read Aloud and Discussed in class- led to a discuss re: long term emotional value and symbolism of quilts         “The Quiltmaker’s Gift” by Jeff Brumbeau         “The Tamale Quilt” Practiced hand sewing by learning how to:         -Design a plastic canvas bookmark (to scale) on graph paper         -Thread a needle         -Knot thread         -Sew in and out on plastic canvas - enjoyed the pleasure of creating a unique bookmark Used math- Counted the stitches accomplished in 10 minutes, then multiplied (3rd-5th Graders) or added (1st & 2nd graders) to get stitches per hour.  Listed each  person’s hourly rate and averaged to get class average…somewhere around 260 stitches/ minute Measured squares Learned Patience through the  process         -Drew templates         -Drew using Sharpees         -Washed squares- ink ran         -Drew again using fabric crayons         -Crayon dust “dirtied” squares when ironed         -Drew again with fabric markers – success! -Wrote Pen Pal letters to Mrs. Kohl’s class and Miss Hoover’s class describing trials and gave suggestions Brainstormed layout of blocks Determined material size and shape, measured for edging Practiced sewing straight using lined notebook paper Machine sewing was compared in quality and speed to hand sewing Determined material size and shape, measured for edging Practiced sewing straight using lined notebook paper Machine sewing was compared in quality and speed to hand sewing Math: Counted machine stitches in 10 sec., multiplied by 6 = minutes x 60 = hour. = @20,000 stitches/ hour. This was compared to the hand sewing rate of 260/hr Volunteers – Mrs. Moenning, Mrs. Yurkovich, and Mrs. Karlstedt helped with the sewing Geometry: Flip- Turn- Students determined how the pieces would be put together in order to create the perfect seam Sewing Machine operation Website used to demonstrate parts – illustrate threading Students learned to thread machine Regulate speed         Each student sewed one connecting piece to each of their squares. Square Knots learned & used to tie blanket’s top and back together. 2 Letters were written per student to the receiving child –  regarding Realistic & Abstract quilt square-Format brainstormed                     Decided 1st paragraph describes project and what was learned, 2nd paragraph describes each square and what aspect of Science they represent. This was laminated and presented with the quilt when brought to the hospital Quilts were presented to Peace River Medical Hospital Kingsway Omega Oaks Island Sallie Jones's Survivor Water Paradise

Last Modified: Aug 19, 2012