Working in the Math Nets Sandbox

Third and fourth grade students need to work on math nets as part of their math curriculum and since I teach form and shape in art, I was asked to help teach this concept. I created special interactive SMART Notebook activities and we also did some color theory related paper/pencil activities. Today the kids got an introduction to the Reaction Grid and the sandbox I created for them. Next time we will create prims to match the nets on the building platforms.Virtual world building tools are perfect for these spatial concepts. (See video below)

 

Ugly Sweater Party on the Reaction Grid!

For our last class of the semester all avatars got a set of 4 ugly holiday sweaters, a Santa hat, and a pair of skates with a skating animation. Students had to use the snipping tool, save pics to their folder and then put them on their Prezis. Here are the photos that got taken. Our sim crashed mid-party, but Reaction Grid gurus Chris Hart and Kyle Gomboy were ready to help us out. We love working and playing on the Reaction Grid! (See video below)

Getting in the Holiday Mood on the Reaction Grid

Junior High Students in Ms. Strehlow's Digital Art Elective continue to work on final Reaction Grid projects but with a twist. Holiday textures and Gingerbread Houses are making an appearance along with the houses and rooms being designed. One student is working hard on a replica of a WWII bomber plane. (See video below)

Beach Umbrella Challenge

This was a very tricky engineering project in the guise of a beach umbrella. Very few students were capable of following all the directions and creating the umbrella, but those who did showed me that they could go on to high school and college with some major building skills.

Chair Building Challenge

Students in some classes needed much more structure for many logistical reasons. I created building areas that were large but contained with invisible barriers to prevent students from wandering off. The chair challenge would show me who could be trusted to stay focused and given more privileges. (See video below) 

Getting Started on the Grid Again

Every new school year I have the fun of teaching newbies how to rez prims (create primitive shapes from their avatar building menu) and turn those into furniture, houses, and more. It is a slightly chaotic but fun experience for everyone. I go in after class to clean up the mess, but I love having an environment like this where kids can build to their hearts content. It's like a never ending set of Legos! (See video below)

The Chess Challenge

Here are some of the more completed assignments done by Jr. High but also including some of the latest pieces done by a small group of 5th graders