Presentation Practice

An important skill we practice in our classroom is public speaking. We have formal and informal presentations where students are learning the basic skills to public speaking, while also understanding how to be a great audience member.  

With informal presentations, students are expected to summarize a topic and give a 1-3 minute talk about what they have learned. Students are encouraged to take notes and memorize the information so they are not looking at their notes while speaking.

 Some of the key skills we focus on are:

- Clarity of voice

- Voice projection

- Avoiding filler words

- Presentation posture 

There is a lot of value in polishing public speaking skills. Long term, comfort in this area could serve students well in higher grades, community work, social situations, and even future job interviews. 

It's also a great time for us to review our listening skills. We talk a lot about the value of being a focused listener and how to respectfully show your attention during presentations. 

The Atoms Family

The Atoms Family

"In the center of Matterville, there is a place called the Nucleus Arcade, where two members of the Atoms Family like to hang out, Perky Patty Proton and Nerdy Nelda Neutron. Around the Nucleus Arcade, you will find a series of roadways that are used by another member of the Atoms Family, Enraged Elliott Electron."

Atoms are the basic building blocks of all matter and the defining structure of elements. Atoms are made up of three particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons. Protons and neutrons can be found in the nucleus of an atom. Electrons surround the nucleus in pathways called orbitals.

Students learned about Matterville and the structure of atoms in order to create an atom of an element on the periodic table.

Students learned about element structure using this diagram.

In order to create the atom, students had to calculate how many protons, neutrons, and electrons their element has. Protons and electrons are equal to the atomic number. To find neutrons, you have to subtract the atomic mass from the atomic number. 

 

Final Products!



Atoms Family Song
(to the tune of The Addam's Family theme song)