projects | Karen Achtman

World’s Fair

July 14, 2014

Kachtman Uncategorized creative, engage, genius hour, projects, research Leave a comment

After teaching about different countries for 3 weeks, I turn the reins over to the kids. They get to pick a country of their choice to research and teach the others, and we have a World’s Fair on the last day. Some students choose their cultural country, and this year they went World Cup crazy! Students take complete ownership with this project as I step back to watch the magic happen.

First we spend some time researching in the computer lab. We talk about research skills, what information to look for, and I give them some websites to get started with. I provide support during research and help finding information. Then, I give them work time to create a project-poster, activity or whatever else they want to do.

It’s amazing how invested these kids become in their projects. They use the class time to research and work, but they also go home and continue working. Some students asked their parents for help with research, made crafts or activities at home, or brought in materials to use during class. This year, the students went all out-bringing in soccer equipment, a cricket bat, posterboard, creating the game Pin the Tail on the Sheep, and building a diorama of cricket. The kids were also very supportive of each other while presenting, helping one of the kid’s read his notes or listening quietly while a shy girl shared her project. It is so rewarding to step back, watch them create, and be invested and excited about their work. I love hearing, “I don’t want summer school to end!” This goes to show, kids really can do anything.

Pin the Tail on the Sheep-Scotland

Poster about Belgium

Playing Cricket-India

Stacking dolls in Russia

Diorama of Cricket-Australia

Traveling Around the World

July 1, 2014

Kachtman Uncategorized creative, explore, imaginative, projects, summer, travel 1 Comment

Last week was one of my favorite weeks in my Traveling Around the World summer school class. Not only do we visit some of my favorite countries, but we also do some of my favorite projects. It’s really a chance for the students to be original and creative with no boundaries. it’s interesting to step back and watch what they do given no restrictions or requirements. Some struggle with that much open-endedness while others take off and thrive.

We start the week off in England, where we build a famous double decker bus.

Next, we go to Italy and discuss Michelangelo painting the Sistine Chapel. The students have to draw like Michelangelo. Unfortunately the bottom of the desks aren’t smooth, so students are able to flip and rearrange the desks to draw. The room becomes a “mess” of desks and the students are laughing while drawing because they never get to do that at school. We end the day making and enjoying mini pizzas, a favorite Italian food.

The third day, we visit France, spending most of our time at the Louvre in Paris. After discussing the different exhibits in the museum, students then have to make a 3-d piece to go inside the museum. They are given a variety of materials, such as construction paper, ribbon, pipe cleaners, toilet paper rolls, and buttons, to create their masterpieces. When they were finished, we took a gallery walk around the room so students could share and explain their artwork.

To end the week, we visited Greece, where we discussed the Olympics and Greek mythology. Students then wrote their own myths.

It was a very fun week for both the students and myself. It is a great reminder of how creative and imaginative students are. That is an art I don’t want to get lost.

What’s in Lilly’s Purse?

June 25, 2014

Kachtman Uncategorized creative, projects, writing Leave a comment

Last school year in first grade, we made Frosty’s Lunchbox, and I knew the project could be extended to other characters and ideas. When planning for my summer school class, Write Like a Famous Author, I knew I wanted to do something with Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse during our Kevin Henkes’ week. I decided to have the students make and write about what’s inside Lilly’s purse; I also gave the students the option to crete what’s in Owen (or another character’s) toolbox or bag.

After reading aloud the story, we brainstormed what items could be in Lilly’s purse. The students came up with a great list (they did such a great job cleaning up that they erased the board before I could take a picture!) The students were excited about the project, but didn’t know where to start. I modeled an example and we brainstormed possible topic sentences. Then students got started and were very creative. They worked at their own pace with writing and drawing pictures. I helped them with cutting the purse and figuring out where to glue the pictures so they popped up. It took them 1.5 class periods to complete (each class is 90 minutes) but it was worth it since they were engaged and worked hard. I was pleased with the project turned out and am excited for more creations this summer!