6th Grade Technology
Teacher: Ann Durst
Richmond Middle School 2019-2020 School Year
Sharing STEM Careers
I am always looking for inspirational ideas to present STEM careers to my students. If you, a family member, or a family friend have a career in the STEM field, we would love to have you visit our classroom and share your love of technology/STEM fields with us. Please contact me if you are intersted in presenting your STEM career to our 6th grade Technology class.
Technology can be used to enhance science learning. Technology provides a window to a variety of virtual experiences that pique curiosity and inspire questioning.
Technology enhances instruction by providing immediate feeback, visual demonstrations, and self-paced learning.
Virtually no aspect of modern life has been left untouched by technology — and the study of engineering is no different. In fact, you might even argue that the development of technology has completely changed not only how engineers are taught and trained, but the very nature of the work itself.
Integrating engineering concepts using technology tools in the classroom will better prepare students to use 21st Century Technology skills and foster inquiring, designing, problem-solving, and collaboration.
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Interactive Visualizations and Explorations
Making math visual goes beyond student engagement; brain research indicates it to be integral to learning math. Neuroscientists at Stanford University are studying how the brain thinks mathematically and evidence shows that visual pathways are involved even when working on symbolic number calculations.
Technology provides additional opportunities for learners to see and interact with mathematical concepts. Students can explore and make discoveries with games, simulations and digital tools.
Over the next 4 weeks try one of the following options listed below. All activities are not mandatory. Students will receive a completed or incomplete in PowerSchool. Please do not panic! I realize this is not an ideal situation and many of you are overwhelmed with doing all your classes at home. Do what you can, it will be ok. Not doing the lessons will not count against you at all. Just relax and have fun, if you choose to do any of my lessons/activities!
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Minecraft Project: (continue to work on this)
*click on the sustainable cities link to read about the project and the procedure. You may work on this with other students (max group of 4).
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https://education.minecraft.net/lessons/sustainable-cities-project/
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*Download the Minecraft world to begin (last link on the page.
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Other Tech options:
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Weeks of April 13 through May 4:
1.Complete one lesson on typing.com and/practice typing on nitrotype.com (10-15 minutes per day/two days a week) or whatever works for you.
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https://www.nitrotype.com/login
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2. Choose an activity from code.org to complete (20-30 minutes per day/two days a week or whatever works for you.
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3. Use Code to create a song using this free website. https://www.amazonfutureengineer.com/earsketch
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4. Create an app that will benefit you or your family or the community. Brainstorm some problems people may be having right now that an app will help them. Use the MIT app inventor site to create your app. This app works with Android devices only at this time. You can still create the app, but it will not download to iOS devices. MIT is currently working on an app that will be compatible with iOS devices, so any saved work on your app could eventually be download to your iOS device!
http://code.appinventor.mit.edu/login/
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WEEKS MAY 11 THROUGH JUNE 1:
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Students may work on and complete any of the assignments listed in the previous weeks. I just need students to check in each week via email to tell me what they have been working on.
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I am new to these sites for coding music and the creating app site, so I will be learning right along with you! We will use Zoom to keep in touch for any questions or concerns.
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*If you do not have access to the internet, complete the Minecraft activity, draw your city on paper. You can design your app on paper and take a pic and send it to me via email. You can take a pic or just tell me your WPM for Nitrotype as well.
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Optional: Send me your completed world link/or take a pic of your drawing and send it to my email. Or just shoot me an email to say you did it!
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email me with any questions or concerns:
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