Inventions for "Sleeping Rough"

Here is the video Ms Elder showed us today about the DOAP Team and how they help people who are sleeping outside when it's very cold (click here).

Then we shared our inventions to help people sleeping rough. We created inventions to help people either: stay warm, protect their belongings, move their belongings, or protect themselves from weather.

This is a public bed people can use if they need a safe and warm place to sleep

This jacket has hidden pockets to keep your stuff safe

This backpack folds out into a shelter.
It has a spot for a water bottle and an umbrella and sunglasses attached.

We also had our first session with Ms Kelsey from Mustard Seed School. She told us a bit about our week (February 24-28) and answered questions we had. She also led us through a journalling activity called "Six Room Poetry" that we'll be using during our week.

Book Talk Project: Evaluation

This is another reminder about the Book Talk project due on Monday, January 27.

Students had 1.5 hr in class today to work on their projects. They will have their LAST class work time on Monday, January 20 for 1.5 hours.

Here is a look at the assessment (teacher/self/peer). Looking through this together at home would be a great way to make sure projects have everything that needs to be included.

If you have any questions, or to get an electronic copy of the expectation sheet, please email Ms Elder.

Design-Thinking Model: Homelessness

A bed you can rent for free if you need it

Brainstorming

We are preparing for our week at Mustard Seed School by learning about the different causes of homelessness. We know that homelessness is a complicated problem that does not usually happen by only one factor (ex: losing your job). That also means that it takes many supports to help people who are homeless. It's not as easy as giving them a free place to live.

This week we focused on people sleeping "rough" (outside). We brainstormed a list of obstacles you would have if you lived outside:

- Difficulty staying warm outside.

- Protecting yourself from danger.

- Protecting your belongings.

- Finding a safe place to sleep where you're allowed to sleep

- Carrying a heavy backpack or pushing a shopping cart to store belongings

Ms Elder put us into groups of three and we chose which problem we wanted to tackle. We then followed the "Design Thinking Model":

A jacket with hidden pockets to keep your things safe
while you're sleeping

Empathy:

Write a paragraph (3-4 sentences) to show how you would feel if you were experiencing homelessness. Be clear which problem you are trying to solve.

Ideate:

Draw 4-5 different ideas of inventions to try to help a person experiencing homelessness

Reflect:

Which idea best solves the problem of the person you’re trying to help. Stay on topic.

Prototype:

Build a model of your idea!

Write an inventor’s note that explains how your invention works and what it would be made out of.

Here are some photos of us working on our prototypes.

A shopping cart that you can also sleep in

Maker Spaces

Here are some shots of us during Maker Spaces this morning. Our class was busy inventing snowball throwing machines, building Lego boats that float, exploring radial symmetry designs with snowflakes, and more!

Reminder: Cross Country Ski Forms Due Friday

This is a reminder that Cross-Country Ski permission slips are due Friday.

The Ski Residency has been postponed due to weather. Students need to come dressed to ski on Monday, January 20, Tuesday, January 21 and Wednesday, January 22.

For more information on the ski residency, you can check with the office, or email Ms Elder to check to see if you have returned your form.

Book Talk Project

This is a reminder that Book Talks are due Monday, January 27. For an electronic copy of the expectations, please email Ms Elder.

Students received one hour of work time yesterday in class. They completed a "Book Talk Breakdown" sheet, see below, to plan for the upcoming week. Breakdown sheets were taken home yesterday in their backpacks.

They will receive 1.5 hours of class time on Monday, January 13, and 1.5 hours of class time on Monday, January 20 to work on their projects/scripts/practice their presentations.

This weekend I will _________________________________________________

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Next week I will ___________________________________________________

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Next weekend I will ________________________________________________

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