Innovation @ 477 This Week 2/10/17

BreakoutEDU

In BreakoutEDU students hunt for clues and solve puzzles to break in to locked boxes. These boxes have anywhere from 1-5 different locks, including word locks, directional locks, key locks, and number locks. Students have to find out which clue helps them solve each specific lock.

Games are created with varying degrees of difficulty and across all subject domains making this activity perfect for any grade level.

Currently our district tech coaches, Mrs. Cook's 2nd graders, Mrs. Johnson's 4th graders and 5th graders from Mrs. Harvala, Mrs. Franson and Mrs. E. Ryan's rooms have participated in different breakouts. All groups have really enjoyed the experience!

To learn more about doing a BreakoutEDU in your classroom, contact Jodi or chat with one of the "Breakout Veterans" listed above!

History Day MN

Today I was honored to be invited to judge the websites created by students at Princeton MS as part of History Day! I was beyond impressed with the hard work and enthusiasm students put into their projects. This year's projects all focused on the theme of Taking a Stand. Students were able to pick their topic, anything they felt represented the theme and then could choose how they would present their project. Display boards, websites, documentaries and performances were included in the assignment choices. Students in every category were selected to have their project go to regionals where they will compete for the World competition! 

This type of project is true 21st Century Skills and innovative learning at work. Students being able to choose a topic of interest to them, explore and represent their topic in such an individual manner is exactly what 21st Century Innovative learning looks like in action! 

Congratulations to all the students for their impressive projects and to all a huge thank to the teachers who made History Day happen. Mr. History from the History Museum shared that no other school attempts history day on this size and scale. He said not only is it impressive to have all students participating but even more impressive to see how students progress in their projects, research and presentations through the years. Great job MS Staff!