In a collaborate project with Karin Gravina and Alissa Alteri Shea, the first grade class was divided up into teams. In the first 40 minute session, each team was challenged to design and build a car using Legos or K’nex. After February vacation, the students had a chance to test out their designs using 5 different ramps with two attempts per ramp. Teams had to rotate responsibilities – data recorder, measurement assistant, and testers. At the end of the session, the class came together to discuss their findings. This STEM project challenged the teams to analyze their data from their various tests to compare the strengths and weaknesses of how their car performed. The video below shows the process.

Grade 1 Cars and Ramps from Karin Gravina on Vimeo.

For their book contract, Alyson Bull had her students design cereal boxes to advertise the books they had read in their independent reading. They also gathered 3 collectible charms to represent the protagonist, conflict, and theme from the book. They presented their work in the form of a promotional TV advertisement that advertised both the cereal and the book. Their completed projects are shown below.

frosty, tessa from Karin Gravina on Vimeo.

doll bones By Holly Black from Karin Gravina on Vimeo.

The Distance Between Us 1 from Karin Gravina on Vimeo.

Little House in the Big Woods from Karin Gravina on Vimeo.

Rangers Apprentice from Karin Gravina on Vimeo.

Rump from Karin Gravina on Vimeo.

Mercy Watson from Karin Gravina on Vimeo.

Fangirl from Karin Gravina on Vimeo.

lions of little rock from Karin Gravina on Vimeo.

Inside Out And Back Again By Thanhha Lai from Karin Gravina on Vimeo.

Hachet from Karin Gravina on Vimeo.

Hunger Games from Karin Gravina on Vimeo.

Wonder from Karin Gravina on Vimeo.

trading faces from Karin Gravina on Vimeo.