2nd Graders Use the Osmo and Learn to Sew!
In STEAM with Mrs. Thompson, the first and second grade students are using Osmo educational gaming systems while one student works one-on-one with Mrs. Thompson to sew a book bag. The students using Osmos are practicing math, problem solving, spacial recognition, and even spelling skills. The kits the students can choose from are Pizza Co., WORDs, Tangrams, Numbers, and Coding. Pizza Co. has the student practice subtraction and addition to create the correct toppings on the pizza as well as counting change back to the virtual customer. WORDs is a spelling system that has students find the missing letter or spell the whole word altogether and advances as the student moves a level up to harder spelling words. Tangrams uses a set of 7 common shapes to create many different pictures. The student has to recognize not only the shape and color but the rotation of the shape as well. The "easy" level on tangrams is difficult, "medium" uses some shapes without colors to match, and "hard" uses only the outline of the whole picture so many problem solving skills are used in this kit. Numbers uses addition and subtraction problems to practice math facts. Coding uses a hands-on approach to code a character to move around the virtual world and complete tasks. Coding is a great extension of our Code.org courses we finished before winter break. On the other hand, the student who is working one-on-one with Mrs. Thompson is learning basic sewing terminology, the parts of the sewing machine, and of course the techniques to sew a bag. This year each 1st and 2nd grade student will sew a book bag. They chose the material to cut out for their patterns and will continue to work on sewing them until the whole class is finished with their bags. During a class period with one sewing machine and one teacher, Mrs. Thompson can help two or three students finish a bag so STEAM will focus on sewing until all students are completed with their bags.