Monday, February 25, 2013

Invention Convention


Mr. Hudson’s Invention Convention (all students)
We will do the following at school:
-                 Choose a problem.
-                 Develop a solution.
-                 Complete workbook.
-                 Present to class
-             Students will make a display board solely at home, using the workbook as a guide.
-                 There is no right or wrong way to make the display board. Have fun. Be creative and visual. Text    
          should be large, legible and succinct.
-                 Students who are NOT participating in the Upper Arlington Invention Convention may use
          poster board. (See display board requirements for students participating in Upper Arlington
          Invention Convention below. Examples were posted in recent blog entries.)
-                 All display boards are due to school on Monday, March 18th.
-        Workbooks will be completed at school by March 8th to give students ample time to make
         display boards.


Upper Arlington Invention Convention (voluntary)
Students participating in the Upper Arlington Invention Convention:
-              Must register by Friday, March 1 using the online sign-up-genius link below:
-             Build a prototype.
        It does not need to be a fully functioning prototype.  
                It can use electricity, but must be battery powered.
        A good rule of thumb is that it should easily fit in a laundry basket. The rules specify it cannot be  
        larger than 2’ by 3’.
        Reflect on what did and did not work well and add this to the workbook.
        Reengineer if possible.
-             Make a design board using a three paneled design board with a header. These are available at
        office supply stores and United Art and Education at Mill Run (3622 Fishinger Blvd, Hilliard, OH
        43026).


Official Rules - 2013 Invention Convention – All Regions
1. Mission. The mission of the Invention Convention is to inspire curiosity, confidence, invention and creative problem-solving in our youth. The Invention Convention makes every effort to ensure an enjoyable, rewarding, inspirational and educational experience for every participant.
2. Eligibility. The Invention Convention is open to students in grades K-8 in participating school districts/regions. Each district is solely responsible for choosing its student representatives. There are a limited number of entry slots for each district. Student participation is optional - students who would like to participate should obtain the name of their district coordinator from his or her teacher.
Students may compete as an individual or as part of a team of 2, but not both. Students who are family members of employees of Invention Convention sponsors are eligible to compete. Invention Convention award winners from previous years may compete again - but must enter a completely new invention. The Grand prize award may only be awarded to a participant once, but past winners can compete for other scholarship awards in future years.
3. Registration; Deadline. Students selected to represent their district must complete the Official Invention Convention Student Registration Form, which will be provided ONLY through the district coordinator each year. All blanks on the form must be completed. The form must be signed by both the student’s parent or legal guardian and the district coordinator. District coordinators and teachers may not sign for parents or guardians. Students must return their completed (and parent or guardian signed) Registration Form to their teacher. The teacher will deliver forms to the district coordinator for his or her signature.
It is the responsibility of the district coordinator to submit completed and signed original (no faxed or copied signatures) Registration Forms to the Invention Convention no later than 5:00 PM on designated deadline day (below). Registration Forms will not be accepted directly from parents.            There will be no extensions or exceptions to the registration deadline, and entries that are postmarked, but not delivered, by deadline will not be accepted.
Registration Deadline(s) are: Miami Valley: February 1st            Cincinnati: March 29th Cleveland: April 12th            Columbus: April 19th
4) . Location(s) and Event Day Schedule(s). The 2013 Final Regional Invention Convention Competitions will take place per the following: · Miami Valley: Wright State University, Saturday, March 2, 2013 · Cincinnati: Fairfield Senior High School, Saturday, April 27, 2013
· Cleveland: Strongsville High School, Saturday, May 11, 2013 · Columbus: Columbus State Community College, Saturday, May 18, 2013
Credentials: · Badges/credentials are picked up at the venue upon check in; prior to Prototype
set-up. · Event Day schedule(s) and details will be emailed to district coordinators and
posted on our website at: www.just-think-inc.com, · Click on your “Region/City”, then “Event day”. · Prototypes must be COMPLETELY SET UP per your cities’ event day schedule. · Venues will open per their standard operating hours.
Judging: Judging will take place from 12noon-2:30 PM – in designated Student Judging areas. ONLY STUDENTS AND JUDGES ARE PERMITTED in judging area DURING JUDGING. Student Invention/Judging areas are open for public view ONLY AFTER Official Judging. The awards ceremony/scholarship presentation will take place per event day schedule. Click on ‘Event Day’ for your region, at www.just-think-inc.com.
5. Participation Requirements - Invention Journals and Models. Participants are required to complete an inventor Journal and a Model of their invention. Students participating as part of team must complete one Journal, and one model. Both signatures/inventors must be present on Team Journal. The Journal is a necessary step to document each participant’s creative process and is weighed heavily in the judges’ evaluation process; it must include the following:
1) a description of the problem addressed by the invention; 2) a description of solution ideas; 3) a description of the invention; 4) a description of how the invention solves the problem; and 5) a detailed description of where the student researched originality of their idea.
Students may use the Official Invention Convention Journal (available online at: www.just-think-inc.com, under “Teachers & Schools > Materials”), or create their own Journal. The Journal must be written in legible/dark print. The Journal must be present for the judge’s review at the Convention.
Students must also build a model of their invention to display at the Convention. The model does not have to work, but must illustrate how the invention would work if the model was operational. Models must fit on a table top, and cannot be larger than 2 feet by 3 feet in size. Electricity WILL NOT be available to inventors at the Convention, but students may use batteries. Backboards or other presentation materials are not required, but are suggested.
Models must be fully set-up at each student or team’s assigned booth BEFORE 11AM – on event day. Parents/guardians and family members may set up the model for their children - students do not have to personally set up their inventions.
6. Judging and Evaluation: Participants will be judged in 6 grade categories: K-2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7-8. Scholarships awards will be based on student interviews, the invention itself, supporting materials and the individual student or team presentation of the invention. Students will be evaluated on: 1) Communication, 2) Process, 3) Research, 4) Results. Student scores are not published, and are the property of the Invention Convention. Inventions will be evaluated against other inventions presented at the finals and against award winners from previous years, but not against the total pool of inventions from prior years. All judges’ decisions are final.
7. Awards: One top award (1st place/$500) will be given in each grade category – K-2, 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7/8 - in the form of a CollegeAdvantage 529 Savings Plan scholarship. One grand prize of $2,500 - will be awarded to the best overall inventor at the Invention Convention. All Scholarships will be invested in the CollegeAdvantage 529 Savings Plan which is administered by the Ohio Tuition Trust Authority. In addition, several Special Category awards may be awarded – in an amount to be determined. The scholarship awards are not transferable, cannot be redeemed for cash, and must be used by the recipient for higher education. Scholarships will be paid according to Ohio Tuition Trust Authority policies and procedures in place at the time the student wishes to use the scholarship. Student winners and their parents/guardians will be required to provide certain information to the Invention Convention and the Ohio Tuition Trust Authority to receive their prize. Participants must be present to win an award. For team entries, both members must be present both at judging and at the time the awards are announced. Awards won by team entries will be divided equally among the team members. You may enter as an individual or a team...but not both.
8. Intellectual Property Rights. JUST THINK, Inc. and the Invention Convention do not profit in any way from any invention submitted by participants. JUST THINK, Inc., its affiliates, sponsors, board members and officers have no rights, privileges or interest in any invention idea submitted as part of the Invention Convention.            Participants are cautioned that the event, and specifically the awards ceremony, is open to the public. As a result - all inventions will be deemed to be “publicly disclosed” at the convention, which may make it necessary for participant inventors to take steps to secure certain intellectual property rights in their inventions. “Public disclosure” is defined as the time any idea has been offered in an open environment.
The Invention Convention strives to highlight additional resources that can assist students, teachers and parents with the protection of their intellectual property, and has involved the US Patent and Trademark Office in the convention project. Please contact your district coordinator for more information. In addition, the Patent and Trademark Office website, http://www.uspto.gov, provides helpful information. However, JUST THINK, Inc. and the Invention Convention make no representations, expressed or implied, regarding the protection of participants’ intellectual property. All participants that wish to protect their invention assumes sole responsibility for securing intellectual property rights.
9. Photo Release: Participants must obtain parental permission – via parent/guardian signature on the Official Invention Convention Registration Form in order to be eligible to compete for scholarship prizes. By signing this registration form - the parent/guardian permits reasonable use of their child’s name, photograph, or likeness, in both static and/or electronic media; releasing JUST THINK, Inc., The Invention Convention, sponsors and promotional partners from any and all claims, liabilities and/or damages arising directly or indirectly out of their participation.
10. Remember... Never let anyone say “you can’t” until you’ve already done it!
For complete event details, go to: www.just-think-inc.com

Monday, February 18, 2013

Newsletter for February 17, 2013

Important Dates and Reminders

Our remaining library days are: February 22; March 8, 22; April 16, 30; and May 14, 29.
 
March 23, 2013: Invention Convention at UAHS
March 28, 2013: End of the Third Grading Period
March 29 - April 5, 2013: Spring Break
April 8, 2013: No School: Teacher Grading Day
April 11, 2013: 3rd Grade Musical Program with Mrs. Delcamp
April 15-18, 2013: Terra Nova and InView assessments (Please try to avoid appointments on these days.)
April 16, 2013: Progress reports sent home
April 26, 2013: Kidfest
April 29, 2013: Ohio Reading Achievement Assessments (All students will take. Please try to avoid appointments on this days.)
April 30, 2013: Ohio Mathematics Achievement Assessment (All students will take. Please try to avoid appointments on this days.)
May 11, 2013: Windermere Wish Run
May 27, 2013: No School: Memorial Day
May 28, 2013: Field Days (Please contact Mr. Moore if you are able to volunteer at adammoore@uaschools.org.)
May 29, 2013: Field Days rain date
 
 


From the Upper Arlington Public Library:

Here is a list of current programs that offer opportunities for young children to practice their reading:

Tremont library offers a monthly program called Book Buddies, a quiet time set aside for young readers (K-3) to practice their reading with Big Buddies (local teen volunteers). We have two more dates for our monthly school-year program: March 26th @ 7 pm, and April 23rd @ 7 pm. This is a registered event. We will continue this into the summer as a 5-week program, beginning in June. 

Lane Library hosts Tail Waggin' Tutors for children K-5th. Trained therapy dogs visit the library as a fun way for kids to practice their reading to animals. There are two spring events, March 18th @ 7 and May 20th @ 7.

Miller Park offers Reading to Rover. This is similar in style to the Tail Waggin' Tutors, and also for K-5. The spring dates for this event are March 12th @ 7 pm, April 9th @ 7 pm, and May 14th @ 7 pm. 

And, of course, we are gearing up for Summer Reading Club, which will begin on the last day of UA school. Kids of all ages are encouraged to participate by keeping track of the time they spend reading in return for prizes! More details will be available during our annual visits to the schools, but I'll let everyone in on a secret: It's gonna ROCK! 


What We Learned This Week

Research

 

Students concluded their African American research unit. We made likenesses of our research subjects out of paper to mimic quilting with fabric. Students' essays are in the hallway. Please stop by to read them. They did a great job. We focused on note taking, researching using texts and the internet, organizing our research into an essay by using a timeline or contribution to detail approach, and writing. Students were encouraged to think beyond the text's literal facts to subjects' contributions, courage and sacrifice. Students will share what they learned at our next Windermere Town Meeting for the school. Do you know the following famous African Americans and their contributions to our country and culture?
 
Bessie Coleman                                Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
 
 
 Matthew Henson
 
  Langston Hughes                            Sojourner Truth
 
Math
 
Students brought home login information from ThinkCentral, Math In Focus' online library of workbook pages. This is a valuable resource for students in need of additional support or looking for accelerated enrichment opportunities.
 
We are continuing our study of fractions through next week.
 
Science
 
Thank you for your generous donations that funded the Ohio Wildlife Center's visit on Valentine's Day. We were visited by a snapping turtle, screech owl, opossum, and ground hog. The OWC's educator shared facts on indigenous animals, life cycles, defense mechanisms, classification, habitat and food web. This was a great introduction to our spring life science study.

 
 
 
 
 

 

Bill Palmer, local inventor, shared his invention, the sk8pole, with our third graders. He explained the invention process, emphasizing starting with a problem and the importance of reengineering. You can learn more about the sk8pole at http://www.sk8pole.com/.

 

 


Students have chosen a problem to focus on for our in-school Invention Convention. The process is as follows:
- Identify a problem.
- Develop solutions. It is very important that they continue to refine and reengineer their solutions through research and peer critique.
- Research their problem and solution by seeking out experts (parents, teachers, internet, library, etc.).
- Name invention.
- Create presentation board that is a self-guided tour of the inventor's process.
- Build a prototype (not necessarily a fully functioning one) that will fit within a paper box or similarly small container.

You can learn more by visiting http://www.just-think-inc.com/columbus/index.html. Here are a few examples of demonstration boards. These three paneled boards and headers are locally available at office supply stores and United Art and Education (on the North side of Mill Run). Students will need to create a presentation board for class, but may use construction paper. If your student is planning on participating in the UA Invention Convention, they must use a three paneled board and header. Students not participating in the UA Invention Convention do not need to build a prototype. Those who are planning to participate must build a prototype. We have five weeks till the UA Invention Convention at the high school. I hope all will plan to participate. It's a great and inspiring experience.


 

Friday, February 8, 2013

Newsletter for February 10, 2013



Important Dates and Reminders



We will not formally celebrate Valentine's Day. However, your student is welcome to bring cards for their classmates with the following requests:
- Bring one for every student.
- Should be relatively the same, no "special" gifts for friends and not for others.
- Do not put names on them. This makes them much faster to pass out.
- Do sign them (great opportunity to try out some cursive).
- No candy or food please.
- Bring an envelope or baggie rather than a box to collect them.
We will take about 5 minutes to pass them out. The focus of our "celebration" will be a visit from the Ohio Wildlife Center.


Please visit the link below for donating to the Ohio Wildlife Center's Wish List Sign Up. Your donations offset the center's standard cost to visit and will help many animals undergoing rehabilitation. The Ohio Wildlife Center will be visiting us again this year on Valentine's Day to teach us about native Ohio animals, life cycles, defense mechanisms and the habitat. Thank you to all of the families who have already sent in items. Please send your items in by Monday, February 11th. 

From the PTO...

"This Valentine’s Day, share the love with the Windermere PTO by supporting the three PTO fundraising events taking place the week of February 11-15!
Box Tops for Education Spring Collection Contest
Send in your Box Tops for Education this week!  Clip the Box Tops for Education coupon on the packaging of over 2,500 products you already buy and return them to your child’s teacher.  You will help the Windermere PTO earn money and students can earn prizes!
Scholastic Book Fair
Flyers have been sent home showing the many great books available at this week’s Scholastic Book Fair.  Books always make a great gift and the book fair is a fantastic opportunity to inspire your child to read and to be excited about books. The Book Fair is open this week: During lunch Monday-Friday 11:00-11:50 am; All day Monday 8:30-2:50; Tuesday 10:00-12:00; After school Wednesday 1:00-2:00 and Thursday 2:50-3:50
Spirit Wear Sale
Buy some great Windermere and Upper Arlington gear for your family!  Choose from shirts, tanks, sweatshirts, shorts and hats at the Spirit Sale inside the front entranceTuesday 230-4:00, Wednesday 1:00 – 2:00, and Thursday 2:30-4:00"



Our remaining library days are: February 22; March 8, 22; April 16, 30; and May 14, 29.

February 11, 2013: Ohio Wildlife Center donations due for their visit on February 14th
February 13, 2013: Early dismissal at 1:15 for staff development
February 14, 2013: Ohio Wildlife Center visits for life science study (See above.)
February 18, 2013: No school in honor of Presidents' Day
March 23, 2013: Invention Convention at UAHS (more information coming in January)
March 28, 2013: End of the Third Grading Period
March 29 - April 5, 2013: Spring Break
April 8, 2013: No School: Teacher Grading Day
April 11, 2013: 3rd Grade Musical Program with Mrs. Delcamp
April 15-18, 2013: Terra Nova and InView assessments (Please try to avoid appointments on these days.)
April 16, 2013: Progress reports sent home
April 26, 2013: Kidfest
April 29, 2013: Ohio Reading Achievement Assessments (All students will take. Please try to avoid appointments on this days.)
April 30, 2013: Ohio Mathematics Achievement Assessment (All students will take. Please try to avoid appointments on this days.)
May 11, 2013: Windermere Wish Run
May 27, 2013: No School: Memorial Day
May 28, 2013: Field Days (Please contact Mr. Moore if you are able to volunteer at adammoore@uaschools.org.)
May 29, 2013: Field Days rain date

What We Learned This Week

Word Study and Grammar
- I can make lowercase cursive letters (i, u, w, t, j, p). 
- I tilt my paper to get a slant to my cursive.
- I trace practice letters before starting.
- I build off of previous letters (e.g., starting with a lowercase i is the foundation for a cursive t)
- I circle the best letter in each row.
- I pay attention to how tightly I hold my pencil to keep from straining it.
- I recognize "consonant plus le" syllables.
- I know that when a word ends in le, usually these letters and the consonant that comes before them form the last syllable. 
- I can recognize complete sentences and fragments.
- I can identify the subject and predicate in a complete sentence.
- I know a complete sentence begins with a capital letter and ends with punctuation.
- I can correct sentence fragments by adding a subject or predicate.


Reading Workshop
- I can identify noteworthy research facts from multiple sources (resource sheets, books, the internet).
- I recognize books are often a more appropriate resource for me because much of the internet is not written for 3rd graders.
- I can organize my notes (note cards) in a meaningful and logical order (e.g., big idea to supporting details, timeline, etc.).
- I can choose just right books.
- I can read fluently and project my voice when presenting a play.
- I can read "beyond" the text and simple facts to understand more deeply (e.g., courage, bravery, loss, sacrifice, in biographies, etc.)
- I can take someone else's perspective and can think beyond my own view.

Writing Workshop
- I can rewrite my notes in my own words.
- I can craft topic sentences that hook the reader.
- I can self edit for convention.




Math
- I know the parts of a fraction (numerator/denominator).
- I know to start with the denominator and that it represents the number of equal groups my whole is divided into.
- I know the numerator represents how many of my equal parts I am considering.
- I can solve multi step fraction problems.
- I can determine the possible denominators when told the number of units in a whole (e.g., 24 pencils could be represented as halves, fourths, sixths, eighths, twelfths, and twenty-fourths).
- I can solve fraction puzzles that divide a shape into fractional units of the whole.
- I can count by fractions.
- I recognize whole numbers when the numerator is a multiple of the denominator.
- I can represent fractions as mixed number fractions when my numerator is greater than my denominator.
- I can compare and order fractions by using the relationship between the numerator and denominator and comparing the fraction to one-half.
- I can place fractions on a number line.
- I can represent whole numbers as fractions.

Science
- I can identify common problems as a starting point for an invention.
I shared a slide show that walks students through the Invention Convention problem solving process and provides examples of display boards and prototypes. Your student should choose a common problem by Monday to begin their Invention Convention study. You may want to visit
www.just-think-inc.com for more ideas.