5th Grade Design Updates

In class we are making a tree house on paint that is going to be graded. Also it is going to be great and I hope I get a good grade. I also hope it is good enough for Mr. Hron to give me a good grade in person on the tree house.

By Ethan


Today we are making treehouses and learning how to save our picture on the computer. And we are doing research about what and how the treehouse can be built and how to make it safe.

By Ryanne


Okay so we have been studying treehouse designs and I have a good start. We have been doing fun stuff. This is a good building experience. We do details and we don't accept one or or a few. :) This is a very good thing for you if you need help to design.

By Seada

Welcome Back!

Welcome back Tigers!

I am very excited to begin teaching this year. This year, I am teaching only 3 courses - Design and Modeling, Flight and Space, and 5th Grade Design. Even so, there is a lot of learning to get done in our class!

I have one request, one call to action. I will be looking for student authors for this blog. I will be announcing this in class, but if any students are interested being an author for this blog (and beginning to build their portfolio and resume), let me know! I am excited to give students more opportunities for learning and experience, relevant to their interests and future!

I can't wait to see everyone again! Welcome back!

Back...With New Family!

I (Mr. Hron) am back!

I was gone for three weeks of school due to the birth of my first child! Both Mrs. Hron, and our daughter, Eleanor, are doing great. I wanted to share the reason for my absence over the last few weeks in case you were unaware of this special time in our family.

As I return to school, I will be re-organizing the classroom and my desk, and beginning the students on their final project of the year. This project can be viewed as a final exam of sorts, but instead of a sit-down pencil-and-paper test, the students will be showing off their design skills over the next few weeks as they work on, and complete, their final project.

Please be sure to continue checking this website and the school newsletter to learn details about the final project. Pictures and other updates can be found at my classroom twitter @MrHron! If you have any questions about anything, you can reach me at my email (james.hron@fridley.k12.mn.us).

Designing Cities of the Future

The students are about to begin their next design. This design is an interesting one, because students will begin by working individually, but when they began actually creating their design, they will be

A student's beginning design.

working in groups. This is the first project the students will be working in groups for, and it will be interesting to see where their collaboration skills are at.

The students will be creating a future city. The goal of this new design is to identify where current cities have problems (traffic, pollution, etc.), and how a well-planned city of the future could fix these issues. I am very interested to see what the students are able to come up with in their designs!

Be sure to check out our twitter (@MrHron) for more updates!

Fifth Grade Typing

The fifth grade students are right in the middle of their typing skills unit. By using typing.com, the students are practicing their typing and seeing improvement!

While typing is an extremely important skill, it can also be tedious. However, the students have been

very motivated to challenge themselves through the process! Many students are forcing themselves not to look at their hands on the keyboard, but rather the screen, to improve their speed. Many students are memorizing where the different keys are, so that they can improve their accuracy as well. While students are finding it difficult to use different fingers for different keys, many are rising to the challenge!

This is a very important, and transferable skill that can lead directly to skills needed in the workforce. Improving typing will help student's speed and efficiency while on the computer, and save them time while working on larger papers and projects in the future!

Be sure to check out our twitter (@MrHron) for more updates!

Designing Presentations

Two example student slides so far.

The fifth grade students are in the middle of their presentations! Previously, the students have chosen a topic they are interested in (like dancing, art, stopping bullying, basketball etc.). The students have
finished researching their topic, and are now planning the design of their presentation. Over the next few class periods, the students will be creating a presentation that highlights their research.

After winter break, the students will be completing their presentations, and the presentations will be shared among the class. Students will be able to watch, and learn, from all the hard work each of them has put in to this project.

Be sure to check out our twitter (@MrHron) for more updates!

More Design Cycle

The fifth grade students are about to begin their next design. For the first time, this design is going to incorporate all aspects of the design cycle into one project. With the treehouse project, each aspect of design was taught and completed individually. That will change, and class will become a little bit more challenging for the fifth grade students.

Complete Treehouse Designs

The next project is going to give the students an opportunity to create a Google Slides presentation about a topic they are interested in. The students will have to determine what research they want to do, what information to include in their presentation, and what style ideas they like for their presentation. It will be the first time the students use all parts of the design cycle together, so it will be interesting to see how it turns out!

Be sure to check out our twitter (@MrHron) and our classroom website (mrhron.blogspot.com) for more updates!

Treehouse Pivot

The fifth grade students are beginning to create their treehouses! Unfortunately, because Mr. Hron didn’t think about how to store 100 different model tree-houses around the room, the students will be creating their treehouses digitally.

However, the students will be offered the option to still create their treehouses on their own time, at home or outside of school. If your child asks, please support them in their endeavors. I can even send some supplies home!

As the students begin digitally creating their treehouses, I will be updating the process. Be sure to stay tuned in with twitter (@MrHron)!

Robot Research and Design

The students in fifth grade now have three different designs under their belt. Their fourth, is going to be their most challenging yet. This time, they must design a Robot!

The focus for students is still on organizing labels and details. The students must design a robot that

can move on its own, make someone's life easier, and recharge its energy somehow. Not only must the students design a robot that can do those things, but the students must also begin to research the robots themselves.

Students will need to learn a little bit about different real-life robots, before they can design their own. They might need to research how robots move, or what their power sources are. This information that the students research will help in their design.

It will be interesting to see what the students come up with! Already, there have been some great designs this week. Stay tuned to the blog and twitter (@MrHron) for updates and pictures of the student work.

Beginning Design

In fifth grade design, the students are getting their first taste of design this week! Students are being challenged to design a space ship that can launch from Earth, travel safely through space, and land on the moon. While this has already been accomplished by humanity, the students are having a lot of fun with it!

The focus of these beginning designs are the details and labels the students are providing. Adding labels and details is a cornerstone to any professional design, and the students should become used to explaining and organizing their design in an easy to understand way, for anyone who is taking a look.

Keep an eye out on the classroom twitter account (@MrHron) to see updates and media of student work!

Welcome Back

Welcome back! There is a lot of learning to be done, so let's get to it! Here is a quick overview for each class that I (Mr. Hron) teach!

5th Grade Design
This is the first year that fifth grade design has moved to the technology side of the school. This class is going to start out by introducing and practicing computer skills, moving from basic to complex. Then, by the end of October, the students will begin designing. They will design all sorts of things, from a tree house, to presentations, to a boat! The year is going to be very hands on, with lots of practice at becoming a responsible citizen of the digital world.

Flight and Space (6th Grade)
Flight and space begins by introducing the concepts and forces of flight. Then, the students get to build. The build kites and hot air balloons. Then they get to design, and build some more. Eventually, the students will be building a rocket to accomplish a specific mission, and launching that rocket in the spring. The year is going to be very hands on, with lots of failure, because failure translates into learning.

Design and Modeling (7th Grade)
Design and modeling begins by examining technologies of our past, and how they've influenced our lives and the environment. Then, our examination turns towards the future, and the students predict how our future will be shaped by an up-and-coming technology. Following that, students begin constructing a Rube Goldberg competition, and the students end the year with 3d model design, and 3d printing of their design. The year is going to be very hands on, with lots of reflection on how technology influences society.

Automation and Robotics (8th Grade)
Automation and robotics begins with the students researching an engineer's role in our world of technology. Shortly after that, the students begin to research and build a website about a new robot that is currently being developed. Following the website construction, the students will begin to learn and create different mechanisms. This will eventually lead into complex machines built to achieve a purpose, and finally robotics. The year is going to be very hands on, with a significant focus on how to find facts and truth among the avalanche of information online.

Overall, I am very excited for another year of school. I teach because it is something I believe is very important, and because it is something that I love doing. I am looking forward to getting to know all of the students in this school, and reaching out to as many families as possible. Enjoy the year!