HES Library Media Center Newsletter
December 2022
In this newsletter I've included a few low tech STEM activities that are fun for any age, a Winter Shelfie (to keep track of reading over the break), and a link to a great activity: The 12 Days of Making. This last activity is created by a Library Media Specialist and Capstone Publishing. It uses a lot of Capstone's eBooks.
What's Happening in the Library Media Center
Kindergarten and First Grade: Learning about sequencing and algorithms.
Second Grade and Third Grade: Reviewing sequencing and algorithms. Remembering that in order for algorithms to work the sequence must be in the correct order. We followed an algorithm to draw a bear. See a few pictures below.
Fourth and Fifth Grade: Reviewing sequencing, algorithms, bugs, debugging, loops and events. This is all taking place using Code.org. This is something that students can access through Clever over Winter Break to continue working.
Winter STEM Activities
Snowball Fight
You want to have a snowball fight, but there is NO SNOW!
The Challenge:
Design a catapult in order to have a snowball fight.
Materials Needed:
- 10 popsicle sticks (big)
- 6 rubber bands
- 1 plastic spoon
- lots of small and big marshmallows
Build a Snowman
Snowflakes are very interesting parts of our world! Wilson Bentley was a photographer who took photographs of snowflakes to show how unique they really are. Listen to the book Snowflake Bentley below to find out more about him and his photographs.
The Challenge:
Using marshmallows build snowflakes with 6 sides.
Materials Needed:
- 30 toothpicks
- big and small marshmallows
This could be a great challenge to see who can make the most creative snowflakes!
Build a Sled
You have a hill, but no sled!
The Challenge:
Design a sled out that will slide down the "hill".
Materials Needed:
- building materials: Legos, cardboard, popsicle sticks, construction paper
- large piece of cardboard or something to create a slope
Winter Shelfie
Over Winter Break we want to make sure our students are still reading. Use the “bookshelf” on the other side to record all the books that are read over Winter Break.
Those that bring this sheet back by January 6th will get a small prize and be entered into a drawing to win a $5.00 gift certificate for our upcoming Spring Book Fair. Make sure your child fills out his/her first and last name and teacher’s name below.
Winter Break Bingo Sheet
12 Day of Making
***Please be aware, since I did not create this there are some links that will take you to some YouTube videos for the different days.***
All About Me
Library Media Specialist
Email: sjhazuda@smcps.org
Website: https://sites.google.com/smcps.org/hes-library-media-center/home?pli=1
Location: 44345 Joy Chapel Road, Hollywood, MD, USA
Phone: 301-373-4350
Twitter: @HES_Media_SMCPS