My students need the Sphero robots for our problem solving, science, and technology units. I'm creating a STEAM program using centers that can be utilized by 3-5th-grade.
Above the whiteboard, in the front of my classroom, is the word 'THINK' in 18" black letters on a yellow banner. My students know that I expect them to think hard and help their peers think hard. My students are not accustomed to struggling. They learn to love the process of problem-solving.
Academically/intellectually gifted (AIG) students are white and socioeconomically elite.
This is just 1 of the myths in gifted education. In fact, some of my students are from families that have lived in our rural area for generations, some have parents that serve at Ft. Bragg, some have parents that build tires at Kelly-Springfield and others that work in the front offices at Kelly. Some of my students live in 2-parent, 2-income homes while others live with a grandparent as a guardian. They are black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, and bi- and multi-racial. Another myth is that AIG students are A+ students and are super motivated. The reality is that even though AIG students are often able to comprehend and complete their class work much faster than most of their peers in a regular setting, they are unmotivated because they are not adequately challenged. This leads to careless mistakes and even misbehavior. I challenge my AIG students with higher level and critical thinking.
My Project
The Spheros will be used to teach and reinforce many concepts in math, science, and technology including speed, distance, rate, geometry, measurement, estimating, mean, median, mode, coding, decimals, and fractions. Students will work together which will foster an environment for collaboration. There are many already-created lessons from which to choose that are aligned to Common Core standards. Teachers and students can also create their own lessons. I will use the Spheros with my AIG students and also hope to use them in one of the centers in a science and technology space we are creating in an empty classroom.
Teachers have been encouraged for several years to incorporate technology into their lessons and classrooms.
The 'growth mindset' (aka 'teach and test'), increased class sizes, and decreases in funding have all been roadblocks. The Spheros will add a unique component to our technology room. Teachers/students will be excited to incorporate technology in a hands-on application rather than just sitting in front of a screen in a lab. Students will be moving, collaborating, and motivated to learn!
Half of 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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