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Down time. It is the enemy of a productive classroom. But what do you do with your students when they are finished with an assignment before their peers? This year, I have decided to try having more maker activities in the classroom, so I am introducing Mini-challenges as an option for students who finish early.
Today was they first test drive and we took on Lego Challenges. After students finished their MAPS benchmark test, they had down time while waiting for their peers to finish. I printed the Lego Challenge cards from The Stem Laboratory (see links below) and students worked quietly to build as many as they could while they waited. And the results? Amazing! When we debriefed the activity, students were asked how this helped their brain grow. Here were some of my favorite responses: -"I had to think of new ways to use what I already had" -"It was ok to fail--i could just try a new way." "This really made me plan out my idea before I started." "I had to problem solve within my criteria and constraints." "We authentically had to Communicate and collaborate about our parts and our ideas." Want to try it out? Here are a few links to get you started! Lego Challenge Links http://thestemlaboratory.com/lego-challenge-cards/ http://www.freehomeschooldeals.com/free-printable-lego-challenge-cards/ http://lifeovercs.com/lego-stem-challenge-cards/ https://www.pinterest.com/explore/lego-challenge/
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AuthorMrs. Noffsinger is the 8th Grade Science and Engineering educator. Archives
August 2017
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Photos used under Creative Commons from Howdy, I'm H. Michael Karshis, r.nial.bradshaw