We will share how first grade students learning about “creature features” in their Wit and Wisdom ELA content expanded their knowledge through reading “Balloons Over Broadway” and learning about the mechanics of marionette movement. Bringing their new learning together, they used their scientific understanding of animal adaptations and movement to create digital 3D creatures that traveled digitally down Broadway. The students then created physical animal “balloons” in art class. They attached their balloons to Spheros and guided them down Broadway mimicking the Macy’s Day parade on a paper map of New York City. Participants in our session will use Makers Empire or Tinkercad to create their own digital 3D creatures and integrate them into slideshows or videos, depending upon what apps they have access to on their personal devices. They also will be given ideas for how to take the digital designs and transform them into physical art projects that robots like Sphero can carry, pull or push using a 3D printed attachment. Participants will leave the session with many resources including the 3D STL file for the Sphero attachment and a chance to win a 3D printed version.
Wendy is a veteran Blended Learning Coach and avid Apple user! She currently works with four elementary schools in the Buncombe County School District.
