On Wednesday, October 29th, sixth graders from Mrs. Tubergan’s “technololgy skills” class met with their first grade technology buddies from Mrs. Stoneburner/Mrs. Klein’s class. They decided to take a different approach to their dialogue this week by using technology. They chose to discuss their learning from the Gobles Elementary Math and Science Week. The first graders were excited to share everything they learned and experienced last week, they did this using an online app called “google story builder”. The first graders, along with their sixth grade buddies were thrilled to use the brand new google chromebooks as well. They worked diligently and wrote several online stories through story builder focused on their learning from the math and science week. Story builder records their dialogue as an online story and allows students to watch the movie and share with their teachers. Student submitted their story to Mrs. Tubergan through another google app called “Google classroom”. The possibilities with google story builder are endless. Throughout the entire assignment students were smiling, laughing, sharing, learning, conversing, and collaborating.

Here are some examples of the story builders students created:

• http://docsstorybuilder.appspot.com/BWnA76
• http://docsstorybuilder.appspot.com/BXBjeV

During the week of October 20 – 24 the Elementary highlighted the importance of Math & Science with a variety of special events and activities. With support from the Gobles Foundation and the Elementary Parents’ Club, we were fortunate to offer several unique opportunities for students, parents, and the community.

Special events for the week included:

• Dress up days. Students were encouraged to make this a special week by dressing up according to the schedule of daily events being held; aliens & astronauts, aviator clothing, wacky clothes, and clothing with numbers on them. 
• Dome Theater Mobile Planetarium. This traveling, inflatable dome offered the wonders of Earth and the thrill of our surrounding universe. Each classroom visited the Dome Theater during the school day. The Dome Theater remained in the elementary gym for parents and others to see a 20-30 minute show and visit during the evening.
• The Aviation School at WMU was here with a mobile airplane and presentation. This was for students in Grades 3rd-5th.
• Wacky Science Assemblies. More than just whiz, bang, poof and pop, this proven show puts science in the hands of more than a dozen onstage volunteers. With a focus on science with everyday objects, Dr. Science makes the Scientific Method easy to understand. This is the only show to ever win Dow Chemical's Touch-Tech Award for excellence in hands-on science education.
• Math & Science Fair. On Thursday, October 23, we invited all parents/guardians and guests of students to join in the Math & Science Fair. In most of our classrooms, short presentations and hands-on activities were available for students and guests to participate in. Many individuals and organizations from the area agreed to volunteer their expertise and time for the benefit of our students.
• Math & Science Basket Raffles. We assembled 17 different baskets for a student raffle that took place on Friday, October 24. Students earned raffle tickets by participating in take home activities and by participating in events during the Math & Science Fair.

A special thank you to the Gobles Public Schools Foundation for supporting our Elementary Math & Science Fair and the Gobles Elementary Parents' Club for supporting the Dome Theater Planetarium.

Mrs. Julia Baker works with a small group of Kindergarten students during math success time.  Success time is a part of Gobles Elementary 8-Step Process to increase student achievement. Math success time, which occurs three days per week, is a 30 minute period in addition to the daily 60 minutes of math instruction in all classrooms. During Success time, students in each grade level (K-5th) are divided into smaller groups to receive extra support and instruction connected to math curriculum.