Gallery of Student Achievement
Welcome to the Gallery of Student Achievement! This page is dedicated to student work exemplars and highlights student achievement in and outside of my classroom. You will find a variety of activities from my Design & Technology and Social Studies classes and additional activities beyond the classroom.
​
Please also check the link below to see my Classroom tour!
Design & Technology Course
Mini Jumbo-tron
This student overcame several setbacks and frustrations during this design challenge from the Fuse program. He was the first one in our class to be able to figure out how to program code in order to display a moving face on the mini jumbo-tron. This design challenge is one of many that students may choose from when we are using the Fuse curriculum.
Straw Bridge
Students used straws and hot glue to create this straw bridge. The goal for this challenge is to build the lightest bridge that holds the most weight and this bridge holds my classroom record for supporting the most weight. This group learned how important it is to cut the straws at angles in order to create strong joint connections between straws.
Straw Tower
This challenge is to build the tallest free standing tower using only the provided materials. This project is an introduction to my Design & Technology course. These boys built a tower so tall that I had to remove a ceiling tile so they could keep building. They have earned the record for tallest straw tower built in my class.
Social Studies (U.S. History)
Interactive Student Notebook (ISN)
The Interactive Student Notebook (ISN) is the heart and soul of my Social Studies curriculum. It's a compilation of notes, assignments, and activities and is used as a resource throughout the year. This ISN belongs to a student who went above and beyond in every activity. I use this ISN as an example to future students.
Chalking the 50 States
These students are drawing large maps of the United States on the school sidewalk using chalk. The goal of this activity is to help students review for an end of year quiz over the 50 states and to share our learning with the rest of campus.
Civil War Simulation
During this engaging simulation on the Civil War, students work together in teams of North or South to compete against each other to win the war. The outcomes differ based on the decisions of the group. Each side has different advantages and disadvantages based on historical representations. In the class displayed here, both sides made strategic decisions that led to an undecided victor.
Beyond the Classroom
Michigan Youth in Government
The Michigan Youth in Government (MYIG) Program is a mock government experience that takes place in Lansing, MI. Students from around the state write their own legislation, debate in the Senate and House chambers, and participate in other program areas (Model Judiciary, National Issues, etc). Pictured is my middle and high school delegation from the most current school year. Each year, several of my students take on additional leadership roles and I am extremely proud of their achievements.
Team Building
Each year, my teaching team starts the year with various team building activities. These activities allow students to get to know each other and feel comfortable as we start the year together. We continue team building activities throughout the year to reinforce and further develop relationships and leadership skills. Students in this image are working together to build a tower of cups by only touching the yarn handles.
Robotics
Pictured is our middle school VEX Robotics team at a competition. These students participate in an after school program where they design and continuously re-design their robot to complete a specific challenge. In teams of two, students work with another team in order to score points together.