SMLS5 PODCAST

Space Camp 2010_1

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 19:20:28 -0500

Each year the fifth graders of Saint Michael Lutheran School attend Space Camp in Titusville, Florida. This trip includes a stop at the Astronaut’s Hall of Fame, a virtual field trip through the space program from the 1950s through the beginnings of the Space Shuttle program which began in the late 1980s. We recorded three podcasts, of which this is the first. We hope you enjoy the podcast. Be sure to check out the pictures on the “Photos” page (see link above).

4L Says M&Ms Are Yummy!

Mon, 7 Dec 2009 20:07:52 -0500

Fourth grade has been working with Microsoft Excel lately. We started with a bag of M&Ms. Everyone opened, sorted by color, and recorded their data in an Excel spreadsheet. Finally, we made pie charts to show how the M&Ms were distributed by color.
After analyzing our data we wrote summary reports using Microsoft Word. Then, in small groups, we compared our reports and prepared to share our findings in an audio podcast. That’s what you’ll find here. Enjoy the podcast! We hope you’ll leave an audio comment (or a written comment). Click the links below.

4A Counts M&Ms

Mon, 7 Dec 2009 19:53:40 -0500

Guest Presenter In SMLS5 Classroom

Sun, 18 Oct 2009 07:51:16 -0400

As many of you know, our teacher, Mr. Schwan, is a ham radio operator. We use ham radio in the classroom from time to time to communicate with other radio operators on a variety of educational topics. Our most recent radio contacts were with Mr. Schwan’s neighbor Doug, amateur radio operator KA0GYF. Mr. Schwan loves to make “contacts” with Doug when he goes on trips. Doug does a great job sharing with the class all the things he’s seeing and learning whenever he goes on a trip with his wife, Marilyn (also a ham radio operator, KA0RUL). The last trip Doug shared with our class was to the Pacific Northwest; the September 2009 trip was to Washington, DC — our nation’s capital. We learned that Florida has it’s own embassy in Washington, DC — we’re the only state with an embassy. We learned many other things on this virtual fieldtrip with Doug, and you can learn right along with us. Watch the video podcast, put together by collaboration between the SMLS5 class, whose students came up with great questions, Doug, our presenter, and Mr. Schwan, the radio operator and class teacher. You can click the title of this article (above) or this link to go directly to the show. Be sure to click on (Full) in the lower-right portion of the video screen to view full-screen on your computer. Enjoy the podcast!

NOTE: the podcast is dated October 21, but it actually took place September 21, 2009. You can also listen to the podcast of our preparation session which took place a week earlier.

Credits:

• Special thanks to Ms Julianne Mica, Manager of Operations at The Florida House
- be sure to check out the Florida House website — very interesting site!
• Pictures:
- thank you to Doug & Marilyn for most of the pictures
- Mr. Schwan’s North Florida trip collection for “Walkin’ Lawton” pictures from Florida’s state capitol
- The Florida House website for Fernando Flamingo image
• Music:
- PJ Style Blues by AjT (mevio.com)
- Mind Has A Mind by Laurence Elder (mevio.com)
• References:
- Tombguard.org - website with information on the Sentinels who guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

SMLS5 Class Prepares for Virtual Field Trip

Sat, 17 Oct 2009 12:24:10 -0400

Our class met with Doug, Amateur Radio station KA0GYF and
Mr. Schwan’s neighbor, to prepare for his September 2009 trip to Washington, DC — our nation’s capital. We learned that Florida has it’s own embassy in Washington, DC and Doug arranged to visit on September 21 and to take us along for a virtual field trip!

Watch the video podcast of the actual field trip here after you listen to the preparatory podcast. Enjoy the podcast!

NOTE: the video podcast is dated October 21, but it actually took place September 21, 2009.

Credits:

• Be sure to check out the Florida House website — very interesting site!
• Music:
- Short-snouted Aardvark by Derek K. Miller (mevio.com)
- Mighty Mullane by Derek K. Miller (mevio.com)