Learning Activities & Resources

INNOVATION LAB

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

I've had some parents asking for suggestions on fun and easy STEM/Makerspace/Innovation/Creation resources for home.
I've decided to combine those resources with the ones I found and shared during our Remote Learning in 2020. I have divided these resources into three sections. 1. The first section are the resources that I've shared in the monthly CSE newsletter. 2. The second section provides some fun online resources that I have been gathering from fellow educators. 3. The final section contains hands-on, STEAM resources that I have also been collecting.

If you have the ability to stream, cast, or connect your device to a television, many of the digital activities lend themselves well to participating together as a family.

RESOURCES SHARED IN THE CSE NEWSLETTER

FEBRUARY
Candy Hart Structures
Learn how to build fun structures out of Valentine’s Day candies here. (On this page you will find a variety of other items you can get by signing up with your email. There’s no need to do that if you are just interested in the candy structure instructions on the page.)
Paper Heart Structures - Link
Children can either use the free printable template to create their paper hearts or cut their own strips of paper to get their building underway.
JANUARY
SNOWFLAKES!

The white stuff is on the ground and snowflakes always provide opportunities for fun learning and family time. Find 50 free, snowflake activity printables here.
The Kahn Academy - Link

Take the time to show your student that you are a life-long learner. While finding a resource for your student, choose a topic for yourself!

DECEMBER
77 (More) Simple STEM Activities for Families English & Spanish - These PDF links will take you to some awesome and creative activities...both low and high tech.
Little Bins for Little Hands - Link This site offers an amazing collection of free projects. You can also subscribe to their newsletter and get additional updates for that. Some great printables and resources that will have your students creating in no time!

COLLECTED RESOURCES: ONLINE

Educational Videos on Netflix - This blog outlines some of the educational videos available on Netflix. They offer the suggestion to set-up a separate Netflix profile just for school material. Please remember to review any video before your child views it.

Virtual Field Trips - A teacher friend of mine put together this AWESOME collection of Virtual Field Trips. Gather around your computer or cast, then you can take the trip as a whole family!

NASA’s Media Library - In wake of the Covid-19 school closures, NASA made their entire media library open to the public. Check out the amazing “out of this world” resources.

Live Web Cams, Virtual Tours & Virtual Field Trips - This is a spreadsheet housing some great places to visit via your device. Take a minute and watch the sea life one of my favorites, the Monterey Bay Aquarium web cams. Tell the rays I said “Hello!”

iRobot - In addition to providing ways to keep your house clean, the folks at iRobot have opened access to their Root Coding app for students.

COLLECTED RESOURCES: STEAM

Camp Invention - We have hosted Camp Invention (sponsored by National Inventors Hall of Fame®) at CSE the last two summers and currently have plans to host again this June. They have provided a great STEM Guide for students and families. In this guide, you will find activities designed, developed and tested by the expert education team. Aligned with education standards for a range of ages and infused with stories from NIHF Inductees, this guide incorporates innovative learnings from 30 years of our PreK-12 STEM programs.

TOILET PAPER!! - This is an AWESOME (and free) resource that will have you building, calculating, and even doing a little art. Be sure to check out all the crazy fun you can have with toilet paper and tp rolls.

LEGO Master’s Storybook - This is a fun activity inspired by a recent LEGO Master episode.

Imagineering in a Box - This is a free online program that brings together the diverse talents of Disney Imagineers around the world for a one-of-a-kind learning experience and is part of Disney’s commitment to helping today’s youth create the future they imagine.

LEGO Art Stamping - Get your LEGOs, ink and paper. You can create some fun and creative pictures using just your LEGOs.

iRobot - The iRobot folks have also provided some fun “offline” activities.

In compliance with Titles VI & VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, and Colorado law, the Douglas County School District RE-1 does not unlawfully discriminate against otherwise qualified students, employees, applicants for employment, or members of the public on the basis of disability, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, religion, ancestry, or need for special education services. Discrimination against employees and applicants for employment based on age, genetic information, and conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth is also prohibited in accordance with state and/or federal law. Complaint procedures have been established for students, parents, employees, and members of the public. The School District's Compliance Officer and Title IX Coordinator to address complaints alleging sexual harassment under Title IX is Aaron Henderson, 620 Wilcox Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, [email protected], 303-387-0127.

Outside Agencies

Complaints regarding violations of Title VI, (race, national origin), Title IX (sex, gender), Section 504/ADA (handicap or disability), may be filed directly with the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, 1244 North Speer Blvd., Suite 310, Denver, CO 80204. Complaints regarding violations of Title VII (employment) and the ADEA (prohibiting age discrimination in employment) may be filed directly with the Federal Office of Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 303 E. 17th Ave., Suite 510, Denver, CO 80202, or the Colorado Civil Rights Commission, 1560 Broadway, Suite 1050, Denver, CO 80202.

NOTICE OF DESTRUCTION OF SPECIAL EDUCATION RECORDS

Special Education records which have been collected by Douglas County School District related to the identification, evaluation, educational placement, or the provision of special education in the district, must be maintained under state and federal laws for the period of five (5) years after special education services have ended for the student. Special education services end when the student is no longer eligible for services, graduates, or completes his/her educational program at age 21, or moves from the district. This notification is to inform parents/guardians and former students of Douglas County School District's intent to destroy the special education records of students who exited special education services as of June 30, 2016. These records will be destroyed in accordance with state law unless the parent/guardian or eligible (adult) student notifies the school district otherwise. After five years, the records are no longer useful to the district, but may be useful to the parent/guardian or former student in applying for social security benefits, rehabilitation services, college entrance, etc. The parent/guardian or eligible (adult) student may request a copy of the records by requesting the records at this link ( Douglas County School District Transcripts and Records Requests ).

Learning Activities & Resources

Clear Sky Elementary School

Clear Sky Elementary School