Before the break, second graders read Balloons Over Broadway, the wondrous true story of the puppeteer behind Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Inspired by the story, the students emulated the inventor of the original giant balloons by organizing a Thanksgiving Day parade for early childhood students and programming parade routes for their FinchBots in digital literacy!
The children observed that many of the balloons featured in the parade were based on book characters. This inspired them to practice a literary skill—identifying the author's purpose—and explore stories that would resonate with early childhood children.
Next, the students applied their STEAM skills to design and build their very own original balloons. They programmed balloon parade routes in Digital Literacy and challenged themselves to see how precisely their FinchBots could follow the predetermined paths.
The celebration culminated with fanfare and music as the balloons were paraded through our outdoor classroom, delighting a gaggle of gleeful preschoolers. The younger children marveled at their older counterparts' imaginative creations, while the second graders enjoyed sharing the experience with their enthusiastic audience.
These projects were not only cross-curricular and multi-grade but also fostered a unique sense of community, bringing together elementary and early childhood students.