Today

Today we worked on making letters and shapes and putting them together in "concertina," which means accordion style, so they fold up. The kids copied the models, but were quick to make their own variations as well. 

T for Turtle

T for Turtle, S for Squirrel, and W for Woodpecker.

We learned that letters and shapes are easier to make when they have vertical symmetry.  The letters and shapes that are not symmetrical (vertically) take a lot more thinking and planning in order to get them to "pop out" the right way.

Of course, we also had plenty of crafting and building going on in the library today.  We have a handful of kids in each class that sit right down and read too, but I never think to take those pictures.  :)

Halloween craftiness!

They were excited to see the Keva planks out again.

Just stopping by to say....

3D cards

After spending two weeks on origami, the Think3d! crew is moving on to paper folding and cutting. They have to think about how and where to cut and fold to make letters and shapes "pop out" of their paper. In one lesson they are given instructions on where to cut and fold, then the next lesson they have to reverse engineer the projects. Working backwards from a finished product, or just starting with an idea of their own, the students take blank sheets of paper, draw their cut and fold lines, then go to it!

A person, a Christmas tree, "HOME" with a heart on top, Quack!, "LIVE", and "EMMA"

Think3d! is challenging for some and less so for others, but everyone is flexing their brains and working really hard to complete these projects. Some kids love them, other kids groan, but the beauty of this project is that it is very leveled so each person can work at a level at which they can be successful. I love seeing the light in their eyes when the idea "clicks" and the create something cool.

Reverse Engineering

This week we are working on reverse engineering origami projects. Last week we followed directions to make origame, and this week we took apart completed origami and wrote our own directions. Reverse engineering is an excellent learning tool to increase your understanding of how something is built. This exercise also gave the students a chance to practice their "instruction writing" skills, including labeling and attention to details.

I will be taking these origami instructions and hanging them in the library for other students, not in the Think3d! program, to follow. I have a table set up with lots of origami paper, instructions, and books for the kids to read and check out if they'd like.

More origami with Think3d!

We had more fun today making Flapping Butterflies, Scuttling Mice, Crown Towers, and Origami Drinking Cups.   I love the excitement in their every when the connection clicks and they make something cool! 

Think3d!

After two days of mind-bending pre-tests, the 5th graders finally got to dig into the Think3d! program. Think3d! is a research project through Tufts University that is studying whether certain types of activities, such as origami and creating 3D paper structures improves spacial reasoning in students. Dothan Brook School has participated for the past few years. This year all 4th and 5th graders will be joining in. The program involves a series of pre-tests to gauge baseline spacial awareness, then six consecutive lessons, then a series of post-tests to measure improvement. The students did not love the pre-tests, but everyone has enjoyed the origami!

Participating students will be bringing home "Think Beyond" activities that can be completed at home or during free time in school. These are completely optional, but many students find them enjoyable.