​​​​Susan Hefley

Sample Projects

Pigeon (C) Mo Willems.

K-1: Pigeon Movie Project

Pigeon Unit:  This unit, designed around books by Mo Willems, is one of my favorites that I repeat each year because it is also a student and parent favorite.  This unit encompasses literature appreciation, concepts of author vs. illustrator, sequencing, art and media creation.  At the end of the unit we have some great "Pigeon Movies" that students love.  Check out examples here.

Lesson Plans

Student Work Products

K-5:  Shoe Lesson

Shoe Lesson:  This lesson is a good example of how it is not all about books and technology in the library.  Sometimes it is about going shoe shopping!  Every now and then students are asked to slip off their shoes, put them to the side and then we go shoe shopping.  After all students have selected new shoes, and without fail one kid has the teacher's shoes which are way too big, one has shoes that are too small and a little boy has some very fancy heals, we discuss WHY.  This lesson really sinks in with students when you make the analogy that shoe shopping is just like selecting a book in the library.  They have to find one they like sure, but they also need to find one that is not too big (or too hard), or too small (to easy), the words are not too long, the spacing not too close together, their are enough pictures.....ones that are just right and fit them.  We discuss how just like how everyone has different feet, they read at different levels. The lessons and concepts taught here are carefully reinforced throughout each and every book selection.

4-5:  Google Classroom Internet Safety

This collaborative project is an outside of the box solution to my limited time for presenting lessons.  After initial lessons on how to use Google Classroom and setting the norms for our online classroom, which leads to into the basics of Internet Safety students follow this self paced course to learn more about Netiquette, Digital Citizenship, AUPs/laws, and more.  The Google Classroom is monitored and lead by myself and teachers and uses collaborative work, online projects and gaming to keep students engaged.  

Small Groups

 

In addition to whole group teaching, I often work with teachers to teach small groups and lead students through the workshop model.  Checkout this example from a recent Kindergarten group who learned about artic animals through research and then created various technology projects to share their learning at open house:

 

Kinder Arctic Animals

 

I am also very proud of another small group of 3rd graders who began the year learning about coding and ended the year leading their own " Coding Club" of 12 K-2 students.  This club held when grades 3-5 had their own club time, was student lead and our youngest learners played games, earned "badges" (stickers) and really began to understand the basic concepts of programming. This has expanded to 4 student leaders and two clubs for younger students.  

Maker Space

 

I LOVE the concepts behind Maker Spaces and am proud to say that the students in my school benefit from these.  It is not uncommon to see students creating a marble run, blowing through cardboard tubes or constructing their own learning through any number of materials.  In the Learning Commons we have created a Maker Space for our older students and a Play-ker space for our youngest learners. I am able to supply materials for this space by seeking out large and small donations, grants and fundraising.  

 

To learn more about Malvern's Makerspace and Play-ker Space, visit our website.