Showing posts with label family project. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family project. Show all posts

Monday, April 22, 2013

Earth Day Family Recycling Projects

This morning our classroom filled with recycled projects that students had worked hard on all weekend! I am so impressed with our creativity!! I enjoyed hearing each student present their project and explain how they made it and tell who helped them at home. 

Students had to consider several Habits to help them complete a project on time.  (They synergized with their families to help them create something great out of recycled materials.  They had to Begin with the End in Mind in order to complete their project on time.  Finally, we were proactive by recycling trash in order to be good citizens of our planet Earth.

 Our projects will be on display in the school's Research Center for the remainder of the week!  We are so thrilled to share our projects with the school. 

Angel made a rocket using plastic bottles and chip containers found at home. He decorated it using black paper and a chip logo. Angel's mom helped him complete his project.


Chad created a dog using soup cans, bottle caps, socks, springs, chain, and plastic wheels. He also made a telephone using soup can, string and buttons. He even made a greenhouse for a plant using a plastic water bottle. Chad really enjoyed his opportunity to recycle to build new things with his family!

Monty made a palm tree using materials she had at home: aluminum cans, paper towel rod, and a broken Frisbee. Her mother helped her create her recycled project.

Betsy created a bunny rabbit using a milk jug, spaghetti and recycled paper from her house.  Betsy's mom helped her make her bunny. 
Maddi created a waterfall using straws and a water bottle. She painted the water bottle blue.  Her mom helped her create this project.

Makenzie created a flower vase using a recycled box, old crayons, ribbon and artifical flowers from her house.  She said that her mom helped her with her project.
Adam created his own replica of a "Warnado" a Skylanders character that's a turtle.  He used cardboard, tabs from soda cans, plastic and a hamburger box to build his creature.  He had help from his mom.
Sandy created a play house out of recycled cardboard, plants from the yard, and bottle caps.  Her mom helped her make the house and paint it.  The rain gutters on her house were made from used straws.  Sandy enjoyed making her project with her family.
Jasmine, with help from her mom and sister, created a couple planters out of recycled accessories from the house.  She plans to give her mom the larger planter for Mother's Day. 
Kota created a ladybug using some cloth she found at home and a small piece of cardboard.  She enjoys crafting at home and was excited to share this project she made with her mom. 
Jesus created two recycled projects using items he had at his house.  His dad helped him replicate a kitchen table complete with chairs and food on the table!  He created the kitchen set using cardboard and a ravolli lid. Jesus' sister helped him make a polar bear scene using carboard and styrofoam balls.  Jesus was proud to show his work.
Valery created a bird house for her family recycling project.  She used cardboard to build the house and then she decorated it with pictures, stickers, leaves and twigs.  She was proud to have created something for the animals in the forest.  Her parents helped her create the house.
Lupita made a worm using an egg carton, recycled paper, buttons, and left over streamers from a pinata.  She got some help from her mom on this project.

Devon created a hot air ballon parachute using a recycled Dr. Pepper bottle, thread and a Target shopping bag.  He got help from his grandmother.

I am so proud of our students for thinking about our Earth and creating something fun with their familys in celebration of Earth Day.  What a great turnout on our recycling projects!!

Friday, February 1, 2013

Valentines Day Mailbox Family Project

A letter was sent home this afternoon regarding the exchange of Valentines in the classroom to celebrate Valentine's Day.  I struggle from year to year deciding how children will recieve their valentines and how they will be transported home again.  I have toyed around with making paper mailboxes, which just didn't hold up.  I've also entertained the idea of using gift bags, but those too tear/break. 

I thought back to how I exchanged valentines when I was in elementary school, and remembered making a mailbox using a box from home.  This could be something as simple as covering any box you may have lying around (shoe box, cereal box, tissue box, etc), and decorating it in any way you would like.  The only requirement was that your name was prominantly displayed on the Valentine's Day mailbox so everyone else could easily pop their Valentine into your mailbox without confusing it with another classmate. 

I have been saving a couple boxes here at school, but don't have near enough for everyone.  Please let me know if you need a box, and maybe we'll have some families that have extras and would be willing to share, if needed.  I want this to be a project everyone can get involved in, and I am happy to help in anyway I can. 

I invite students to involve their families in this project as they create a Valentine's Day mailbox that reflects their personality.  I have done a little bit of research through google and found quite a few ideas I'd like to share with you.  Please don't think that you must to something elaborate, because you don't.  I just want students to create something they are proud of to simply contain and transport their Valentines from school.  (Wrapping/tissue paper and stickers look great too!)