Blog — msgilbertrocks

Building a Mobile LEGO Wall: Repurposing for Playful Learning

Transform your classroom into a creative hub with a DIY mobile LEGO wall! Learn how we repurposed a thrifted cabinet into a Playful Learning station. Get inspired by our step-by-step guide and budget-friendly tips.

STEAM, MarGilly, Editor's PicksMarGillyAugust 1, 2024crafting, LEGO, collaboration, MarGilly, projects, Playful Learning, STEAMComment

ELA Resources for Differentiation

Feeling a little lost in the labyrinth of differentiation with your 5th-grade classroom? I get it. Especially when you're diving headfirst into a brand-new curriculum like Wit & Wisdom. This blog post will hopefully serve in sharing some of our resources starting with module 2 ("Word Play").

Education TechnologyJen GilbertNovember 22, 2023classroom teaching, differentiation, ELA

Mission: Transport with Root

MarGilly, the collaborative duo of Maggie Lu and Jen Gilbert, is excited to share this fun and engaging activity that combines literature, technology, and engineering in a unique way as Mission: Transport with Root.

Shark Tank

If you're looking for an engaging and educational project for middle school students, look no further than the Shark Tank project. This project challenges students to come up with their own business ideas, create marketing materials, and pitch their ideas to a panel of "sharks" (teachers or guest judges).

STEAM, MarGillyMarGillyMay 14, 2023classroom teaching, projects, math, MarGilly

Interactive Makey Makey Poster

MarGilly, the collaborative duo of Maggie Lu and Jen Gilbert, is always on the lookout for new and engaging ways to teach science to our students. Recently, we created a Makey Makey interactive poster project for Earth Day with the goal of sharing the content with younger students.

STEAM, MarGillyMarGillyMay 14, 2023STEAM, classroom teaching, projects, science, Makey Makey, interactive, MarGilly

Pasta Fun in Math: Rovers and Bridges

Every year I look forward to two hands-on activities involving pasta and hot glue to bring math concepts to life. The activities give us a chance to pause a traditional class involving notes and skill reinforcement on computer/paper to applying concepts in real life using budgeting, data collection, formula calculation, and geometric spatial awareness for designing and building three dimensional objects.

STEAMJen GilbertNovember 27, 2022classroom teaching, engineering, integration, projects, mathComment

Bandage Organizer

While I love a variety of bandages…I don’t love that the assorted box has them all mixed together with no organization at all. In my head I pictured an organizer with three sections to easily identify and access the bandage size I wanted without digging through a box and then I set out to create it on Tinkercad .

STEAMJen GilbertNovember 12, 2022STEAM, 3D model, 3D printing, projects

Root Robots On Loan

Learn about our Root rt1 robots on loan from iRobot as part of their teacher ambassador program.

STEAMJen GilbertJanuary 16, 2022classroom teaching, edtech, robots, integration

Catapults: Ball Over The Wall Challenge

Popsicle stick catapults for fun as well as hands-on experience with building, testing, and measuring.

STEAMJen GilbertJanuary 7, 2022classroom teaching, science, STEAM, socially distant

Hybrid Flower Experiment in Animal Crossing

After a couple weeks of playing, I had this crazy idea to try doing a science experiment with students making hybrid flowers in Animal Crossing.

Education Technology, MarGillyMarGillyMarch 6, 2021classroom teaching, science, MarGilly

LEGO Learning Kits

Permission to fail is an important gift to give yourself. In giving yourself that permission, you open yourself up to numerous opportunities for learning. Without trying and failing you would not know success, or even in my opinion, have as much joy in teaching.

Rosie the Root Robot

Last year I tested a Root robot from iRobot Education on loan as part of their ambassador program. Adventures continue with my very own Root affectionately named Rosie 2.0.

Try This: Classroomscreen

When I was first introduced to Classroomscreen years ago, it was already a useful website to use when projecting your screen in the classroom.

Reviews, Education TechnologyJen GilbertOctober 25, 2020products, distance learning, edtech, classroom teaching

Crafting with a Silhouette Cameo 3

I am so glad I purchased the Silhouette Cameo 3 when I did. As I have been stuck at home for so long it has given me a lovely outlet to design and create.

STEAM, MarGillyJen GilbertOctober 25, 2020art, crafting, classroom teaching, products, vinyl cutting, projects, STEAM, personalization

Virtual Tours and Google Meet

Using distance learning to reach your students during school closures? Maybe these ideas/activities can help!

Rockets and Roller Coasters

Rockets and roller coasters, oh my!

STEAMJen GilbertDecember 1, 2019classroom teaching, STEAM, engineering, integration, science

Beginning with LEGO Simple and Powered Machines

Thanks to my teaching partner, we now have 4 LEGO Simple & Powered Machines kits and 3 Pneumatics Add-Ons sets to use in science with 7th and 8th grade!

STEAM, Editor's PicksJen GilbertNovember 24, 2019classroom teaching, collaboration, LEGO, STEAM, engineering, integration

Condiment Packet Organizer

Anyone else have an unused space in their refrigerator that they would like to make more functional? For me it was the “butter tray” compartment in the refrigerator door.

STEAM, Editor's PicksJen GilbertAugust 31, 2019STEAM, 3D printing, 3D model, Tinkercad, Thingiverse, projects