Growing the Global Cardboard Challenge Project

Our team continues to develop the Global Cardboard Challenge Project. We added more time to teamwork teaching and activities before the project began this year. We collected a lot more supplies upfront and we chose to do the project outside. I also taught scissor safety and ordered special safety box cutters for the project.

It was definitely good to teach teamwork ahead of the project. It was also great to teach scissor safety, collect lots of supplies, and work on the project outside. The box cutters were okay, but I didn't order enough and they weren't quite as strong and flexible as we needed. I ordered more paint and brushes, but not enough. Fortunately the kindergarten teacher next door gave us some. Next year I want to give a painting lesson prior to the project too. It was clear that it had been some time since many students had painted, and many forgot about good painting protocols in order to not waste paint or ruin brushes. Many students heeded the message to wear old clothes, but some didn't so next year we have to be more explicit about that too.

All in all it was a great day of building and making. The high points were the words and expressions of enthusiasm that filled the day. It was great to see students invested in the activity throughout the day. Next week students will continue to work on their projects at home and during recess and free time. Then on Friday we'll invite the whole school to play the games during their lunch recesses.

While a bit more teamwork practice with smaller projects may have made some teams stronger, I really like starting the fifth grade year with this project as the project teaches the students a lot about each other and how to work together. Further the project truly solidifies the students, TeamFive, as a community of learners and creators. In my opinion, the project is a keeper.

Note:
We had some great supplies for the project this year including the following:

• Lots of boxes
• Paint and paintbrushes
• Duct Tape
• Box Cutters (not enough or the best kind)
• Plastic Sheets
• Fabric
• Sring
• Little balls (could have used more)
• Marbles
• Markers
• Scissors
• Recycled plastic bottles
• Plastic cups
• Odds and ends of recycled materials
• Colored paper

I want to collect more materials from families the first weeks of school next year as we prepare for the project. 

Global Cardboard Challenge: Blueprints and STEAM "Shopping"

A picture from last year's cardboard build day.

Tomorrow students will continue the ideation stage for the Global Cardboard Challenge. To do this they'll fill in The Design Process Chart and draw a large detailed picture of the arcade game they plan to build. I'll model the drawing to start the class.

As part of this drawing they'll list the kinds of supplies they need too. I'll have them put an * next to supplies from home, and an ! next to supplies from the classroom.

Before they do this, however, I'll give them a short introduction to the available STEAM supplies. In the past many months I've collected LOTS of cardboard and a variety of other items too.

While they plan and draw, I'll invite each team up to choose cardboard pieces and  fill a cardboard box with the supplies they plan to use. I'll ask them to write their names on the cardboard so people know it belongs to them. At the end of class, I'll ask them to gather their supplies and bring the supplies back to their homerooms

On Friday those supplies will give them a good start for their cardboard creations.

STEAM Teams: Introducing the Design Process

Last year's reflections about the Global Cardboard Challenge pointed to the fact that we had to utilize a more explicit team building and design thinking introduction and process before jumping into the Global Cardboard Challenge. We felt that laying a good teamwork and design process foundation would lead to greater satisfaction and successful inclusion with regard to the overall project.

With this in mind, students got together yesterday with their Global Cardboard Challenge STEAM teams--teams created with teacher and student choice and voice. We sang the Lego movie song and discussed whether "Everything is awesome and cool when you're working with a team." Students were quick to mention that teamwork can be difficult, and that's when we watched Kid President's latest video about how to disagree:

Today the class will focus on The Design Process. We'll discuss the fact that we'll employ The Design process as we work on the Global Cardboard Challenge. We'll talk about the word "process" and what it means. Then I'll note that many designers, inventors, scientists, artists, engineers, and others define the design process in somewhat different ways. I'll ask students to watch the video below and list the steps they hear as they watch:

Next, I'll tell students that we're adopting IDEO's design process illustrated below. And then we'll use that process to map out a Global Cardboard Challenge project together. Tomorrow groups will begin the project in earnest designing their individual team projects as we prepare for Friday's Team Build Day.

Teach Math Well: Teamwork

Today we'll give a lot of attention to TEAM. Students will sing the song above, view the image below, and create a class list of apt attributes for teamwork.

After that the new teams will have a chance to try out a version of the note card tower building activity.

If there's time at the end of the class, we may watch a few more entertaining, short videos about teamwork.

Math/STEAM Year: Classroom Set-Up

Initial plans are set for the new school year, and now it's time to get in there and set up the classroom. Last year I changed the room around a lot as I got used to a room focused mainly on math and STEAM study. I ended up with the set-up above, a set-up that served the many ways we teach and learn well.

Important areas of consideration include the following:

STEAM Supplies

I have a good collection of STEAM (science, tech, engineering, art, and math) supplies. I also have lots of containers and shelving to host the supplies. The job before school starts will be to organize those supplies in a way that makes it easy for students to find what they are looking for. I plan to use zip-lock bags for many supplies, and then I plan to put those zip-lock bags into draws and baskets for easy access. This list of supplies is a starting point if you're just beginning to create your STEAM Center.

Maker Math Supplies

I have a good collection of math tools and supplies including graph paper, rulers, scissors, colored pencils, calculators, protractors, tiles, grid white boards, and more. I will place those in the front of the room for easy access to support our math exploration, investigation, and project work.

Individual Supplies

The students who are in my homeroom will store their supplies in student desks (we still have the old fashion desks, but if I were choosing I'd order tables and chairs with wheels for flexible set up). Students who come to my class for STEAM and math, each have a colorful drawer to store their individual notebooks and baggy of supplies. 

Presentation Space

The presentation space includes the document camera, cart, white board, and student desks. We'll use this area to present learning, foster class discussions and debates, and learn together.

Rug and Book Space

This will be a cozy space for reading and working together. The space will include cozy bean bag chairs and other comfy furniture. There's also a book shelf and baskets of books.

Coach's Corner

There's a space in the back corner of the room with a big desk, white board, shelving, and a rug. This is where the teaching assistant will sit and it will be known as the coaching corner--a place for students to receive extra support and help. 

Tables

Often students are invited to choose their work space. The tables will provide a space for students to work on projects together or to spread out when they need more space.

Check-In

The check-in space will give students a space to sign in each morning, read important notices, and collect important supplies and information.

Tech Cabinets

I have a number of small tech cabinets that store the tech equipment we have. I'll place those in the back near the coaching corner for easy teacher/student access.

Playground

Fortunately the classroom is located next to the playground. We'll often use the playground for our investigation, exploration, creative, and energized learning activities. 

Signage

There will be many signs to encourage students' positive mindsets and choices. Signage will include:

• List of names
• Schedule
• Growth mindset reminders
• Inspiring quotes from notable individuals
• Notes outlining routines

Students will create a lot of signage throughout the year to guide our collective efforts and learning. 

The plan is set and time has been set aside to create the space. I want to make it as inviting and welcoming as possible to help every child begin the year in a positive way. 

Teamwork Builds Math Mastery

At the start of the math year, build teamwork by employing the Global Cardboard challenge. Also emphasize team in explicit ways through the Global Cardboard Challenge efforts and via the strategies and information included in the presentation below. It's worth the time to build a dynamic, purposeful sense of team at the start of the school year.

Maker Math: Volume Exploration - The Candy Box

There's been many iterations of the volume related candy box exploration, and this is one I'll use with students in the days ahead to teach and practice finding the volume of three-dimensional figures. Prior to teaching this lesson, students will study and learn to use rulers.

Story

Bon Bon Recipe and Picture Site

Angela liked to make candy. She especially enjoyed making bon bons the old fashioned way. Her candy bon bons became so popular that people started asking if they could buy them from her to sell at their shops. Angela decided to put each bon bon in an individual box, and then put 24 individual bon bons boxes in each big box. That way people could display the big box while selling each individual bon bon.

First, she designed an individual box for each bon bon. She created a net made up of squares that measured one inch on each side. That was the perfect shape for her bon bons as they fit tightly, but did not squish the candy. Angela worked with a local packaging company to find the just right paper--a kind of paper that wouldn't melt the candy and keep its shape too.

Next she wanted to make a good strong and beautiful box to fit all 24 bon bon boxes. That's where she needs your help. Follow the directions below to help Angela.

Net Maker

Math Investigation

1. Take a look at the bon bon (real or pretend (a clay version)).
2. Create the one-inch box. One-inch box net available via this website. 
3. Go to the Maker Station and choose the kinds of paper(s) and other supplies you'll use to make a box that can easily fit 24 bon bon boxes. The Maker Station for this project includes a variety of paper weights, cardboard, tape, and decorative materials. 
4. Design your box net and create the box.
5. Complete the box data sheet and try out the enrichment options listed on that sheet.

Follow-Up

• Have students bring in a number of recycled boxes. Measure and figure out the volume of those boxes.
• Make a collection of nets available for students to make, measure, and describe. 
• Practice figuring out the volume of a variety of three dimensional prisms: simple sheets,  more complex Common Core practice. and word problems.
• Show this Khan Academy volume video:

Real World Connections
Tell students that there are companies that's goal is to make just right packaging for products. There's even a packaging magazines and websites. Happi is one example. Ask students what skills they think a packaging expert would need, and how a business like that would be important. Show the videos below that tell how cardboard boxes are made:

More about Packaging and its effect on the environment. 

Packaging Design