May 16, 2013
by Krissy Venosdale
0 comments
I don’t remember what my classroom was like before I went off the deep end for Project Based Learning, infusing inquiry, and STEM. I’ll bet my students don’t remember much about it either. I used to teach what was in … Continue reading
March 20, 2013
by Krissy Venosdale
1 Comment
My third graders have been studying the Iditarod race and tracking musher data online during the past few weeks. Take a look at the data available on the mushers, like first place winner Mitch Seavey. Graphing, data analysis, addition, subtraction, addition, averages, … Continue reading
February 17, 2013
by Krissy Venosdale
1 Comment
This weekend, I’m surrounded by nuts, bolts, and curly brackets. Our school’s inaugural season of Botball is about to begin and I’m in training with 3 students. We are learning software from KIPR (KISS Institute for Practical Robotics). Students will … Continue reading
February 10, 2013
by Krissy Venosdale
3 Comments
What opportunities are there in your school for students to make things? Make a robot. Make a circuit. Make a sculpture. Make a mess. Too often I hear the answer “We don’t have time for ___.” We need to … Continue reading
January 16, 2013
by Krissy Venosdale
4 Comments
My class is building Egypt. On the surface? You might see paint, cardboard, masking tape, saran wrap river water. Deep down? I see learning. I not only saw it, I heard it… What is the relationship between pyramid height and … Continue reading
January 4, 2013
by Krissy Venosdale
2 Comments
Our schools need more testing. I’m not talking about THAT kind of testing where we pour information into kids heads and then measure the regurgitation. I’m talking about the kind of tests we have in real life. What if … Continue reading
September 26, 2012
by Krissy Venosdale
4 Comments
Yesterday was one of THOSE days. The kind where you are like, “Wow, this teaching thing? I kinda just totally love it.” You know, where engagement is at an all time high, kids are collaborating, and learning? It’s in the … Continue reading
August 30, 2012
by Krissy Venosdale
8 Comments
Last night on Twitter, I asked if anyone was interested in collaborating on a school-wide mock election event. I’ve already heard YES from about ten people! Now, four years ago, my fourth graders and my sixth graders planned and held … Continue reading
April 11, 2012
by Krissy Venosdale
1 Comment
Project Based Learning. It’s definitely one of my passions in education. It’s definitely not easy. It goes against the way most of us learned how to teach. It doesn’t feel like “traditional” school. But, it works and it is what’s … Continue reading