My students need the opportunity to blend history with Science Technology Engineering & Math. Micro:bit micro computers are the perfect connection to bridge each of these subjects while engaging students like never before.
Our community has a diverse and traditionally transitory population. With over 10% of our population in a mobile state, our staff has a close relationship with district and community liaisons who provide access to information and services for families who need assistance or are facing immediate hardships. With 64% of the 774 total student population qualifying for free and reduced lunch, our school is a school wide Title I school.
Our school has a history of responding to students' needs, innovative practices and academic success.
In 2009, state schools superintendent Susan Castillo nominated our elementary school to be a Title I Nationally Distinguished School based on its exceptional student performance for two or more consecutive years. Our school was recognized for this based on state report card ratings and federal requirements showing students made significant progress during the last five years.
Our school is a school that is ready to take the next step forward to becoming Future Ready, to help raise student achievement and close the achievement gap. Like all new instructional strategies, data is necessary to prove the concept is a viable option in moving forward building wide.
My Project
Year after year our 4th grade students learn about Lewis and Clark and their journey west. While this lesson in Oregon's history is important, students tend to become disinterested and unengaged. History has a tendency to be hands off. However, we have the opportunity to change that using Microbits.
Microbits will allow all 4th grade students to build and program their own handheld navigational compass.
Using block code, our students will have the opportunity program the code necessary for each Microbit micro computer to run a compass program. Students will be able to then hold their Microbit and move their position while their compass program displays their direction.
By connecting our content to STEM activities we are allowing our students to make connections like they never have before. Most students have had experience with block coding, but these experiences have been limited to on screen interactions and outputs. By combining history and the Microbit micro computer, we are allowing our students the chance to program something that they can literally hold in their hand.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mr. Hoxie and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
