My students need supplies, such as lithium batteries, conductive adhesive tape, super bright LEDs, colored pencils, cardstock, and die cuts, to make story books that include circuits that light up when completed.
How do you help students to be creative, use critical thinking skills, collaborate, and communicate all as part of a safe, community based learning environment? Project-based learning infused with the arts addresses the needs of all learners, and solves that problem!
My students are a fantastic group of honest, helpful, and giving students.
They are generous with hugs and want to learn new things. Those new things may not always be part of the curriculum, but we make the most of all "teachable moments." They overcome many challenges to come to school and learn every day. I want to give them the richest education I can.
My Project
We will be using these resources--such as lithium batteries, conductive adhesive tape, super bright LEDs, colored pencils, cardstock, and die cuts--to make circuit board story books. These are books that include drawings, stories, and LED lights that light up a part of a circuit.
Small groups of students will be given copper tape, an LED, a battery, and some tape. Students will work collaboratively to make the LED light up.
Then students will be shown some examples of story books, cards, comics, and interactive notebooks that use circuits with LED lights to tell the story. Students will collaborate to create a story book that includes live circuits. They will have the opportunity to share their creation and the process with younger grades. They will also be writing a technical explanation that explains how to do this and share with other students.
These materials will help me to use the arts to teach creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking in a fun and hands-on way that will reach many learners and incorporate many learning styles.
This project allows my students to solve real world problems while working collaboratively with peers to create and design something totally unique.
This is a genuine learning experience that allows students to create, write, and illustrate amazing stories that include working lights as part of circuits. This integration of subject areas allows students to make cross curricular connections that model real world skills. Thank you for considering this amazing opportunity for my students.
Nearly all students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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