Kids of STEEL
On the cold dreary days of winter, BIS students found a way to warm up. This year, BIS third and fourth-grade students had the opportunity to participate in the Kids of STEEL program. Kids of STEEL is an award-winning training program that motivates kids and families to get moving and make healthier food choices. During training, participants completed 25 miles of physical activity at school. Students would run, participate in fitness circuits and have a nutrition lesson. All students were excited when the weather allowed them to begin training outside. Students then had the opportunity to participate in the Pittsburgh Kids Marathon. Over 25 Blackhawk students participated in the race and were able to feel the excitement of crossing the Clemente bridge and running among the skyscrapers of downtown Pittsburgh. They were awarded medals at the finish line.
Mrs. Dianne Sarver brought the program to the district this year, and her team of Mr. Jesse Kier, Mrs. Amy Black, Mrs. Christy Deselle and Mrs. Heather Stein volunteered their time after school as coaches. This was a great opportunity for our students, and will hopefully become a tradition.
Grand Day
One of the most cherished relationships of childhood is the one between a grandparent and a grandchild. This May, BIS had the opportunity to celebrate that relationship with Grand Day. Students in grades Pre K – 2 invited their grandparents to join them for breakfast at school. Blackhawk Food Service provided a delicious meal for this special event. During the morning, students shared poems and songs that they have been preparing with their homeroom teachers. In addition, Ms. Neeley, our music teacher, prepared a short performance of songs from our spring concert. The children also prepared Grand Day writings that were shared. BIS K-4 PTO graciously provided the financial support for this long-standing celebration. Grand Day is truly one on the best days of the school year.
Technology is Alive
It has been an exciting year for our elementary students and technology. This year Mr. Michael Simon joined our team as a K-4 computer teacher. He joins Mrs. Brown, our STEAM teacher, in offering engaging technological opportunities for our students.
In computer class this year, kindergartners used their letter recognition skills to translate that into early typing skills as well as understand the proper way to use a mouse. First graders did more related to typing short words, sentences and basic coding opportunities. Word processing skills were introduced beginning in second grade. In second grade, students were shown common word processing functions and the best way to use these applications such as writing friendly letters to friends and family. Third and fourth graders used these same programs to design posters if they were running for class president and design their own trading cards using copy, paste, search and resize controls to meet specific rubric criteria.
In STEAM class, All students pre-K through 4 were introduced to coding through the Hour of Code website and the pre-k students learned to log in and use code to create new levels of games. First grade used a variety of materials to create devices to learn about force and motion. Second grade used iPads to research ocean life and then used a variety of materials to create and report on their ocean life. Third grade used pencils to create basic circuits that worked. 4th grade made circuits out of dough to learn about the path of electricity. Students used that knowledge to build circuits to light up eyes of insect models and presented information about their insects to their homerooms. Students used books and iPads to locate, write, and cite information about their selected insects. Then the students created working circuits using LED lights and coin batteries, clothespins, and a variety of supplies. When completed each group reported to their classmates. As students finished, they continued their insect adventure by sketching and then using a 3-D pen to create an insect.
Thud, thud, thud…
could be heard from the art room at Blackhawk Intermediate School on Tuesday, May 21, 2019. Students could be seen pounding pennies and enameling copper pieces. Twenty students in Fourth Grade were able to participate in an artist in residence program with metalsmith Lindsey Huff. Lindsey Huff uses the principles of art and science to inspire students to express themselves through experimenting and creating objects. The Fourth Grade students were able to take these objects and develop them into jewelry that can serve as a reminder of the connections between science and art. This one of a kind experience was made possible through a grant received by the Beaver County Arts Education Consortium.
