Teachers

Students learning about plant and animal adaptations visited the Learning Garden to complete an adaptation scavenger hunt. The recent installation of the bog garden provided students with the opportunity to closely examine how carnivorous plants work, their needs, and how insects have discovered ways to escape the carnivorous plants. Samples from the school Herbarium also assisted students in understanding different plant adaptations and biomimicry.

Jan 23: 3rd-5th MOID students made mold fossils and then filled them to make cast fossils. The cast fossils are displayed next to the original shell in the mini-museum along with fossils identified for us by paleontologist Rachel Narducci at the Florida Museum

Dec 2022 During Hour of Code, Kindergarten did the Coding Gingerbread Man game- create a game to get the man to his house, write the code.

Nov 2022 Third graders playing lego bingo had to use visual, fine motor, and mathematic skills to identify arrays.

Oct 2022 K-2 MOID students had 2 sets of blocks one wooden and one paper with the characters from the story Room on the Broom. They had to balance the broom on the night sky then add the character blocks on the broom. They analyzed if the size, shape, weight, or color of the blocks would determine which would fit in the broom and which would weight too much or make the broom off balance and fallout of the sky. The students made a prediction on paper prior to placing the blocks on the broom.

Oct 2022 Fifth graders used different technologies to create a news broadcast for their final project after reading Tuck Everlasting!

During the Fat Bear Week, students used a dichotomous key, which is THE tool for classifying living things, to classify the Alaskan brown bear and the coho salmon, a keystone species to which the bear is forever linked.

Students worked in teams to show day sky and night sky, labeling 4 things found in each.

Oct 2022 Third Graders participated in the Symbolic Monarch Migration through the Environmental Education Alliance of Georgia. Students created individual Monarch butterflies that we mailed to students in Mexico to symbolize the actual Monarch migration that happens each year. We also sent one large monarch that represents our city and our school. In the spring, we will receive a package in return from the students in Mexico.

Oct 2022 Kindergarten used DOT candies and toothpicks to count, then designed and built an object.

Oct 2022 Fourth graders dissected owl pellets to discover what owls eat, and then constructed an apex predator food web in the form of an energy pyramid. They relied on this chart of bones to identify the animals in the owl diet.

Leading up to Fat Bear Week, students observe the bears in July vs Sept and calculated how much weight they may have gained,discussed food sources and what happens in Hibernation, and create a bear with cut paper. They also learned about Pacific salmon's life cycle and painted salmon.

Dec 2022 Did you know that all the water that we have is all the water that we will ever have? OGE parent and Environmental Engineer, Karen Durden, taught us how modern Water Treatment plants clean and filter wastewater so we have access to safe, clean water for drinking, cooking, bathing, and watering crops. Students demonstrated the process using a model.

Dec 2022 After learning about the Inuit, 3rd grade students researched and learned about the igloos they built. Students were then tasked with the challenge of designing and building an igloo with a tunnel opening made of only marshmallows and toothpicks.

Nov 22 Kindergarten EIE Kit - Raise the Roof:Protecting Penny. Students designed and built a shelter for the family dog that needs a shelter because it is too hot outside.

Oct 2022 4th graders used the EDP as well as their science knowledge about catapults to imagine, design, build, and modify a catapult that can launch a piece of candy corn the farthest.

The 3-5 MOID class created a model of a DNA strand. They used science to determine the makeup of the model as well as what each part of the model represented. The model incorporated art and students used math in determining the length of the nitrogen bases.

Oct 2022 Students learn about the vegetable spinach and all its amazing nutrients for our Farm to School Month partnership with Georgia Organics. We combined Andy Warhol’s soup can with Popeye the cartoon while learning the mathematic properties of a cylinder. Students were also introduced to the technology used in creating stencils and silk screening.

In Smith's PreK,they explored the STEM career of a veterinarian and learned all about types of medical services performed, tools that vets use, and the technology used in the veterinary field. Students are taking care of many different types of pets in our dramatic play center.

Students were challenged to create a den for their bear to hibernate in. They had to design,create,test,and improve dens that had an opening for their bears to go in and out of, they had to be sturdy, and be able to weather a "winter storm".

Students collected acorns and learned about the oak tree life cycle, used their acorns and playdoh to create something,then used a simplified STEM sheet that asked if their idea worked and what they would change.

Resource students practiced adding, problem-solving, and applying place value skills as they build block towers in each challenge. They tried different variations to reach the correct height using all the blocks listed. Students then added up their unit blocks on the chart and then draw their towers on the Challenge sheet.

Sept 2022: Fifth graders used various types of microscopes and magnifiers while studying microbes. They also made their own slides of salt, sugar, pepper, and different types of sand, to compare at different magnifications.

SEPT 2022 In PreK, we had the exciting experience of raising tadpoles! When we first got them from a pond, they were teeny-tiny. We fed them special tadpole food and checked in on them daily to see how they were changing. They very quickly grew much bigger, and suddenly, they started sprouting tiny little legs. We read non-fiction and fiction books about tadpoles to help us learn about the process. Eventually, the tadpoles got their front legs, and the tails begin to shrink. They loved to climb up the sides of the habitat and hide under the lid. When most of them had developed into frogs, they were returned to their original pond. - Amy Smith

SEPT 2022 Smith's PreK has a new center this year! The "I can build it" STEM center has 3 main components - build a habitat, engineering with found materials, and timed block building. The students are currently building habitats for dinosaurs using a variety of materials - pebbles, larger rocks, wood slices, moss, and real/faux plants. Students can create different habitats for dinosaurs based on what they know about meat eaters and plant eaters. Students are also exploring how to take found objects like cardboard or recycling materials and also use the art center to create new things. Our first creations were robots!

SEPT 2022
Second graders used the EDP to create their own maple leaf dispersal simulation. -Deb Hinto and Anu Ghosh

SEPT 2022 Students working on the Giant Map learned about cattle trails and the technology created to improve the journeys of cattlemen. -Shaun McCarthy

SEPT 2022 Students pretended that they were accidentally taken by aliens and needed to be returned to their home. The aliens only had sheets of paper. They didn't know what scissors were. The students had to create a map of the continents and oceans using no scissors, just their hands to tear. - Desiree Brooks

Technology in a Bag! Students investigate random items to determine which ones represent technology and which ones don’t. Keeping in mind that technology simply means solving a problem, they eventually realize that all of the items represent technology, including the bag itself. - Joye Hopkins

SEPT 2022 Dot Day STEM Challenge: Following the steps of the EDP, each 4th & 5th grade student transformed a paper plate into a long strip. So many different ways to tackle this, and the longest strips were longer than anyone expected. Great fun! - Joye Hopkins

Sept 2022 P.E. - "Dicey Situation" from PEtotheMaxII by JD Hughes - a fast-paced, exciting fitness game used to practice locomotor, non-locomotor, and pathway skills. Students practice and reinforce number recognition, number comparisons, and are able to recognize the differences between greater than, less than, more, less, high low, and equal to through the frame of Dicey Situation.
International Dot Day - Kindergarten through 5th Grade Health & Physical Education classes used common Physical Education equipment and the Engineering Design Process to create "The Dot" -inspired art. - Tait Anberg

Sept 2022 For Dot Day, third grade students were challenged to create the largest tower using only index cards and dot stickers. The students used the STEM process the complete challenge. - Kelly Albright

Dot Day Graphic Design. Students used Google Tools to create a design using only circles.

SEPT 2022 Fourth grade investigating biotic and abiotic features of our nature trail ecosystem. Using signage, guidebooks, and our own senses to list as many producers, consumers, and decomposes as we can see and hear.- Joye Hopkins

SEPT 2022 Estimation Stations: Students used various tools to estimate height, distance, volume, quantity, etc. And then found the actual measurements to see how close their estimates were. Plus a great discussion of why we need standard measurements. Fun had by all. - Joye Hopkins

SEPT 2022 - Students learned about the water cycle by making rain in a baggie and learned double digit addition with regrouping using lego blocks -Renn McClintic-Doyle

AUG 2022 3rd-grade students learned about the RACE strategy. Then, made a PowerPoint on the topic as a team. Everyone had an individual job/role to play. Students' jobs were based on their strengths. Students wrote down problems and solutions they faced during the project. Students designed their own race cars to match the theme of RACE strategy. We then took a picture of each design and uploaded them onto google slides. Please scan the QR code to see the completed PowerPoint. The students were very proud of their work.-Javon McKay

AUG 2022 Third, Fourth, and Fifth graders participated in the Great Georgia Pollinator Census - a citizen science project contributing to pollinator conservation.

AUG 2022 Kindergarten students learn to log into a tablet. -Noel Mainland

AUG 2022 Aftercare students were asked to build something using the LEGO construction set. Without any directions to follow, students worked together to make working gears. -Javon McKay

Smith, Mar 02

Pre-K created a digital book containing shapes found around the building.

www.canva.com/design/DAE51q0cJls/W4VPqRlWD_rCfxGWD5x5rg/view?utm_content=DAE51q0cJls&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=sharebutton#13

Wilder, Feb 15, 2022
Bringing the Berlin Airlift to life with engineering. 5th grade kids flew food, medicine, and other supplies to the residents of war-torn Berlin, post WWII.

Hopkins, Feb 10
"The fifth graders are studying atoms, molecules, and elements. We made a collective periodic table by sniffing out cool facts about the elements and using word processing skills to create the squares."

Hopkins, Feb 08
"Fifth graders are learning about the relationship between mass, volume, and density. We calculated the density of different liquids, and built a layered column in a graduated cylinder."

Hopkins, January 28
"Happy international LEGO Day! Fifth graders are working in the Blind Build Challenge. One student builds something with a specific set of pieces, and then tries to describe the steps to their partner to see if they can replicate it exactly. It’s harder than you think. Give it a try!"

Smith
Feb 16

"Third graders practice their coding skills by creating a maze using Lego. Using pre-printed coding steps, they created directions for maneuvering through the maze from start to end."

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Smith
Feb 15
Grade 3

A video of 3rd grade students planning the water source and usage for their PBL units. Our Aqua Adventure project through First Lego League is being tied into the PBL.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/fCFWjSY2dQeXnrDI2
https://photos.app.goo.gl/WpB5ORoXknRCAzI03
https://photos.app.goo.gl/yuz4VsKrc6ie1D9e2
https://photos.app.goo.gl/UAlzASVVs4Ant3yd2

Koepke
Feb 2
Grade 4

"Students created phases of the moon using Oreo cookies."

Koepke
Jan 29
Grade 4

"Fernbank lesson: Students are using Play Doh to create relative sizes of planets."

Koepke
Jan 22
Grade 3

"Students designed and created models for water filtration using different materials."

Koepke
Jan 5
Grade 4

"We did the Engineering Design Process with the following problem:

How do we get dirty water clean?
This is related to our current PBL about Rebuilding after Disasters, Hurricane Maria has caused a clean water shortage in Puerto Rico.

Students worked alone and then in collaborative groups to develop a water filter that would clean dirty water.

We revisited and made improvements after creating our models."

Mainland
Jan 5
Grade 1

"Students use legos and magnets to make a car that moves without being touched."

Mainland
Jan 5
Grade 1

"Students use chromebooks for hour of code."

Mainland
Jan 5
Grade 1

"Seesaw Bulletin board for exemplar student work to be posted with QR codes, examples of activities and directions."

Mainland
Jan 5
Grade 1

"Students in the outdoor garden learn about the scientific observation drawings of Lewis and Clark, then draw scientifically themselves."

Koepke
Nov 15

"We used a watershed model with this interactive activity to understand the impact people have on our clean water."

Mathis
Nov 7

"3rd grade did a compost critter lesson in the Learning Garden."

Clark
Nov 1
Interrelated

"A quick, competitive vocabulary review using Quizziz!"

Mary Manganello
Nov 1
K-3

"Created different cloud forms out of cotton balls."

Hopkins
Oct 31
Grade 5

"Students research 8 distinct human body systems, then choose 3 to become experts about. They draw life size outline of themselves and then draw and label the parts of the 3 systems. Also research functions of each system and surprising facts. "

Thomas
Oct 25
Grade 3

"After learning about the Plains Indians, students had to design and build a teepee using the given materials that at least one team member can fit in."

Bolsen
Oct 23
Grade 3

Mini Plain "second try" teepee

Bolsen
Oct 20
Grade 3

Build a Plains Indian teepee using 4 materials

Thomas
Oct 17
Grade 3

"After learning about multiplication arrays, students explored our school searching for arrays. Students used IPads to take photos and created slideshows using the Show Me app."

Thomas
Oct 17
Grade 3

"Students used the engineering and design process to make Plank Houses similar to those the Pacific Northwest tribes built."

Owen
Oct 17
Health

"Container gardens made out of recycled milk jugs and other juice containers planting broccoli and romaine lettuce for each class at Oak Grove Elementary School."

Stallings
Oct 11
Grade 5

"We used the 1918 outbreak of Spanish Flu to learn fractions. Included a detailed history of the flu’s origin and spread. "

Mainland
Oct 11
Grade 1

"Students use Pebblego to research facts about American symbols and patriotism."

Brown
Oct 03
Kindergarten

"In the outdoor classroom exploring living and non living objects. We sorted and classified the different objects."

Mainland
Oct 02
Grade 1

"Students used ChatterPix to respond to literature. We're reading aloud Charlotte's Web. Students drew a picture of Wilbur, and wrote 2 sentences that he'd say. Students then brought these into Chatterpix to make Wilbur talk, then we imported into Seesaw to share with parents."

Robinson
Sept 29
Grade 3

"Bolsen’s class is studying animal adaptations. We viewed baby squirrels fur and claws under the Dino Scope."

Bolsen
Sept 29
Grade 3

"Can you design and build a plank house? (NW Indians)"

Mainland
Sept 27
Grade 5

"Students use Dekalb County Chromebooks to practice ten frame skills in a center with GregTangMath.com"

Hopkins
Sept 27
Grade 5

"Experts from Emory's Herbarium showed the kids how to select, identify, and mount plant specimens. Emory is helping Oak Grove develop its own herbarium!"

Bolsen
Sept 27
Grade 3

"Kicking off Lego We Do with exploratory activity."

Hopkins
Sept 26
Grade 5

"Pre-lab research, starfish dissection with Math, and post-lab analysis and reflection. "

Deery
Sept 26

"We read Monsters Under Bridges by Rachel Coddington. Students were allowed to use 10 or less pieces of cardboard to create their own monster that lives under the bridge. They were not allowed to cut anything."

Smith
Grade 3
Sept 26

"To help us learn about adaptations, parent (former science teacher) helped us with a lesson on how peppered moths adapted to fit the changing environment during the Industrial Revolution. Students explored how peppered moths used camouflage to blend in with lichen on trees but gradually changed to all black once trees were covered with soot from factories. They graphed data for pre and post Industrial Revolution and predicted how many moths adapted back to a cleaner, natural environment once standards were in place to cut down on air pollution."

Mathis
Grade 3
Sept 25

"We completed our first class Lego robotics lesson with Mrs. Brown and Mr, McCarthy. The students built a Rover Bot with their partner."

Mathis
Grade3
Sept 24

"Scavenging for plant adaptations in the Learning Garden."

Mainland
Grade 1
September 6

"Students are learning about weather instruments. We are also learning about EDP. Students are grouped into planners, builders, and improvers. This girl has drawn plans for making an anemometer. She is taking a photo in Seesaw. Her team's builder will use her plans to make an anemometer."

Kaufman
Grade 4
August 31

"Testing the effects of a weekend underground for our Eclipse Time Capsule project." 

Mainland
Grade 1
August 29

"Students drew pictures of each season and the weather for each. Then they loaded it into Seesaw and added a voice description of their pictures."

Johnson
Grade 1
August 30

"Students worked in groups and used their bodies to represent water molecules in three states of matter. They used Seesaw to voice record a description."

Mainland
August 29

"Students created tally charts and graphs of the remaining supplies and then took a photo with Seesaw and added a voice description of their findings."

Thomas
August 24

"Students learned about the different types of eclipses and chose to make a model of one type. The sun, moon, and earth had to be appropriate in size."

Bolsen
August 21
Eclipse Day

"Third grade project: Create a model representing the solar eclipse. The sizes of the Sun, Moon and Earth should be appropriate."

Mainland
August 18

"Students made pinhole viewers out of cereal boxes for the solar eclipse."

Hopkins
August 17

"We found the distances between earth , sun, and moon, and also size differences among earth, sun, and moon. Discovered why the tiny moon will cover the huge sun during the eclipse.
Quick review of circles, diameter, and radius to ensure sizes were correct to scale."

Deery
August 17

"We watched Mysteryscience.com. "Why are people making such a big deal about the solar eclipse?" We painted on transparencies with acrylic paint. Students included the sun and the moon during the eclipse phase. We will hang them in the front lobby windows."

Mainland
August 7, First day of school.

"Students are sorting and counting school supplies at the beginning of the year. They take photos of the supplies with ipads to use in a brochure they will make."

Perfect!

Engineers Week - February 19-25Georgia STEM Day - March 3BeltLine Field Trips - April 13 & 14Earth Day - April 22​Lantern Parade - May 17

SUGGESTION BOX

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING AND CONFERENCES

Additional Resources

STEM DOCUMENTATION AND EVIDENCE

Hopkins, Feb 10​"The fifth graders are studying atoms, molecules, and elements. We made a collective periodic table by sniffing out cool facts about the elements and using word processing skills to create the squares."

Engineers Week - February 19-25
Georgia STEM Day - March 3
BeltLine Field Trips - April 13 & 14
Earth Day - April 22
Lantern Parade - May 17

Hopkins, Feb 10
"The fifth graders are studying atoms, molecules, and elements. We made a collective periodic table by sniffing out cool facts about the elements and using word processing skills to create the squares."