Cultural Arts
Green Book Display
Our library is just as green as the rest of the school. Bodkin students (587) can visit the library to research everything about the environment. From tips for going/staying green, to environmental problems, to green crafts, our students have access to a wealth of information on these topics and more through the books in the library. Book displays encourage students to read these types of books and to explore green topics.
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Blackout Poetry
Our fourth grade students (95-104) created blackout poetry using pages from books that were deleted from our library’s collection.
Cardboard Challenge
Our fifth graders (97-107) completed the cardboard challenge. Using recycled materials, cardboard, toilet paper tubes and one reusable ping pong ball, students created an arcade game. Students had fun creating games from materials that would normally be recycled or thrown away.
Masonville Cove Beach Clean up
When a group of our fourth graders (15) were given the option to choose a grade level field trip, the students had an interesting proposal. They asked to participate in a community beach clean-up and restoration project. Students visited Masonville Cove Environmental Education Center where they cleared 43 pounds of refuse and began to brainstorm long term solutions and sustainable solutions to the litter they often witness accumulating on local beaches.
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Harnessing the WindStraw Debate
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Third graders (95-100) explored concepts related to climate change to more clearly recognize the importance of clean energy. They then spent nine weeks exploring wind turbines and wind energy as a viable alternative. They competed in teams to design a working model of a wind turbine that could harness the wind to solve global problems in two distinct regions of the world. |
As an extension to a long-term project on the effects of single-use plastics on our oceans, second graders (95-100) researched and debated Americans’ use of straws. They uncovered the history of the straw, discussed pros and cons to plastic straws, debated whether they should be offered at restaurants, and set personal goals related to straw usage after participating in the debate.
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Animal Atlas
Students become ecological teachers, as they work to create an interactive map that teaches kindergartners (85-90) about interesting animals around the globe. As part of this long-term project, students develop an enthusiasm for biodiversity, understand the function of habitat, and become aware of how adaptations help animals survive.
Second Grade Snowman
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The 2nd grade artists (95-100) constructed winter snowmen with recycled materials. Lots of families at Bodkin bring in lots of recycled “treasures” to the art room. One thing we get a lot of is newspaper. We use the newspaper to create the base of our snowman by forming three balls and attaching them together. Then we papier mache using white paper scraps from leftover handouts. Lastly, the students collect sticks from outside to add the snowmen arms.
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Third Grade Rainsticks
Bodkins 3rd grade artists (95-100) created Chilean Rain sticks after studying how the Chileans reuse recycled materials from their environment to create the rain sticks. Our students first bring in old paper towel rolls from home. These rolls become the outer layer of our rain stick. Then we find pebbles to create the rain noise. When we construct the rain sticks, we need to poke holes in the paper towel roll to insert toothpicks. The tool that is used to poke the holes is a thick tapestry needle attached to a reused cork. To cap the ends of our rain stick (so the pebbles don’t fall out), we cut out circles from leftover brown paper bags. Finally, to decorate the 3rd graders take paper scraps and use papier mache to make it look beautiful. This project is a great reminder of how to reuse recycled materials to create something fun and purposeful.
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Fourth Grade Haunted House
This 4th grade project requires the students (95-104) to bring in their empty cereal boxes from home to create a haunted house. We use the cereal boxes as the foundation for our houses. The boxes are attached to recycled styrofoam trays from the cafeteria. The trays act as the ground for their houses. The students then papier mache and decorate for an awesome spooky recycled project.
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Fifth Grade Birch Trees
Instrumental Music Website-
The instrumental music class website was designed to conserve paper that was formerly used for class updates and assignments. Rather than having students use CDs, students (300) can access recordings online to facilitate practice at home and in school.
musicwithmscox.weebly.com/
musicwithmscox.weebly.com/