Google Expeditions

Google has designed a new virtual reality platform for schools called Google Expeditions.   It is currently in beta form and they are traveling around the country having schools test it out.  Last Friday it came to Wales Elementary and they invited our 4th and 5th graders to take part.  Students were able to visit the oceans of Australia, the moon, a volcano in Russia and three of our National Parks!

Cole was wishing his parents could experience this expedition.  They have been wanting to go to some National Parks.

Gavin was excited to tell his mom that he was a deep sea diver and an astronaut!

Google cardboard viewers can be purchased at Amazon.  The app that we tested on Friday is not available for purchase yet but there are other virtual reality apps out there to try, including Google Cardboard for android or iOS.  Happy traveling!

Mrs. Jones and Wales library media specialist Mrs. Wieczorek

First Graders Love the Makerspace Too!

We finally got our first graders into the Makerspace last month.  They are loving it!  Our first grade teachers, Mrs. Coss and Mrs. Trost met with me and we came up with a Monday Makerspace time.  Every Monday I set up stations and the students spend two weeks in each station.  The stations are coding, Legos, Little Bits, Osmo and a new tool to us, KIBO robots.

Our PTO purchased the two KIBO robots for us.  The PTO has been very supportive of the library program and now our Makerspace.  Here is the KIBO robot in action.

To learn more about the tools the students are using during Makerspace Mondays, see this website.