MOST POPULAR VIDEOS

• 6:21 Week 19 of 2022-23 | 5th - 8th Grade Science

  This week's slideshow highlights: 5th grade class investigating Earth's ocean surface temperature distribution patterns to see if there is a relationship with latitude; 6th grade conducted a cooperative group lab experiment to test how "Green Roof" garden designs can lower indoor air temperature to combat the phenomenon of "The Urban Heat Island Effect", as well as how green roofs can reduce urban runoff that often leads to flooding; both 6th and 7th grade classes received a special visit from Northwestern University students who presented to them on their work as part of NU's chapter of "Engineers Without Borders/EWB"; the NU EWB members also led a cooperative group engineering and design STEM challenge where both 7th grade classes got together to see which team of 3 students could design the most effective water filter; 7th grade also wrapped up their Cell Biology SEPUP unit by taking their unit final exam and they began their next SEPUP Inquiry Unit on "Reproduction" by digging into how genes are passed from parents to offspring and sometimes contribute to genetic disorders such as Marfan Syndrome; and 8th grade class worked in cooperative research teams to collect evidence as they participated in a mock Chicago City Council debate on whether plastic, glass, or aluminum should be the material of choice for drink containers within the city as part of their "Chemistry of Materials" SEPUP Inquiry Unit. Thank you for checking in with us this week:)

  Uploaded Jan 27, 2023 by Gerard Kovach
• 2:45 Week 8 of 2022-23| 5th-8th Grade Science

  This week's slideshow highlights: one of our 8th graders sharing his dancing skills, thus bringing some humor to our Science class as he renditions for Decatur's Got Talent; several pics of students showing leadership by sharing their Science Notebooks as all classes spent time this week analyzing and interpreting data, as well as arguing from evidence, which are both important NGSS Science & Engineering Practices; 7th grade did a lab exploring the function of the cell membrane and there a a few photos of 7th graders getting right down to exploring with some new compound light and digital microscopes; 6th grade analyzed Geologic data sets from global GPS stations to investigate how the Earth's surface changes slowly but steadily in various locations around the globe, and how that information can impact the decision of the best locations to store nuclear wastes; 5th grade went from investigating the phenomena of Earth's Moon's phases, to exploring data sets of how Earth's amount of daylight changes throughout the year, as well as the angle of the sun, which sets the stage for further investigations as to why the seasons change in places like Chicago but not everywhere on Earth; as the Autumn season sets in, winter will be not far behind so 8th grade spent some Science class time outside this week learning about Newton's Laws of Motion as they continued exploring Forces and Motion; and last but not least, the presentation ends with some photos of 5th grade observing the live feedings of our fish from our Lake Michigan ecosystem, and the smiles on our students' faces are priceless! Thank you for checking in with us this week:)

  Uploaded Oct 15, 2022 by Gerard Kovach
• 4:16 Weeks 27 & 28 of 2022-23|5th-8th Grade Science

  This week's slideshow highlights: pics of our 5 Decatur JHS students who each made it to CPS Citywide STEM Fair (Congratulations to 8th graders Francesca and Lucy and 7th graders Clare, Elliot, and Sienna who represented Decatur with grace), and then Elliot, Sienna, and Francesca, who each are advancing onto IL State STEM Fair, which will be held at SIU Carbondale in late April); pics of 8th grade exploring their new SEPUP unit on Waves; 5th graders wrapped up their unit on "Weather & Climate" and will move into exploring "Energy"; and 7th graders continued exploring genetics as part of their SEPUP unit on "Reproduction" along with pics of them gearing up for next week's JHS March Madness by working together to create table top basketball hoops.

  Uploaded Mar 26, 2023 by Gerard Kovach
• 00:12 Writing Personal Narratives

  Students in 102 spent time this week revisitng their writing from last week. This time, they added sensory details and used their Editor's markings to gave 3 suggestions to a buddy. They have a good thing going!

  Uploaded Sep 16, 2022 by LeiAnna Carrasco
• 00:31 Dress like your Teacher Day Featured

  On Friday students had the chance to dress like teachers and teachers the chance to dress like students. We had a blast!

  Uploaded Apr 13, 2022 by Ryan Cherry
• 1:49 Makerspace: Oct 7-11

  This week, students have begun to develop presentations that they will be sharing with in class. Most groups in 3rd-6th grade are choosing to use Google Slides - allowing them to collaborate with all members in their groups. For students in K-2, we'll be reviewing iPad expectations and begin experimenting with presenting using a web-based program called Padlet: a digital pin board that allows students to post their responses (written, photos and even audio recordings) without logging in.

  Uploaded Oct 12, 2019
• 2:02 Makerspace: Sep 30 - Oct 4

  As more and more classes have begun to build their towers, I am amazed at the level of determination students have - even after their designs have fallen apart! One group's tower fell apart with only *six* minutes left to go in the challenge. While it's difficult to have your work fall apart in when you've worked so hard, this team restarted immediately and ultimately had the highest tower in their class! It's also interesting to see which groups use another teams model once theirs falls apart. While some students have called this 'cheating', we know as engineers we often replicate others' ideas in order to make our own designs. After all, if no one had borrowed the Wright brothers' invention for building the world's first successful airplane, we wouldn't have the airplanes we have today!

  Uploaded Oct 05, 2019
• 00:46 Moot Court | Tinker v. Des Moines

  8th graders simulated Supreme Court proceedings for the 1968 case of Tinker v. Des Moines. Students played the roles of the justices, as well as the attorneys arguing each side of the case. Students developed questions for each set of attorneys, while attorneys crafted arguments based on precedent and their understanding of first amendment rights in schools.

  Uploaded Feb 15, 2022 by Marianne Sharping
• 00:23 Partner work - using past, present and future verbs
  Uploaded Jan 25, 2020
• 00:34 Seed Drop!

  The second graders created different types of seed models. They pretended they were trees and had to figure out the best way to drop their seed so that it didn't land in "the zone of darkness". We had a great time learning more about how a seed coat can help a seed travel.

  Uploaded Jan 17, 2020