Inside the Classroom: Chelsey Flores - Peterson Elementary
Inside the Classroom: Chelsey Flores - Peterson Elementary
Inside the Classroom is a series that visits Northwest ISD campuses throughout the year and highlights the magical moments that happen between teachers and students each and every day across the entire 234 square miles of NISD.
A lot of work has already been done ahead of the grand opening of PRISM Pet Supply on May 2, but there is still lots to do. Blueprints and parking lots have been designed, promotional signs have been created and fish castles are constructed.
One of the last steps is to create commercials that market the newest store on the block, and that is why Inside the Classroom visited Chelsey Flores’ third-grade class at O.A. Peterson Elementary this week.
PRISM Pet Supply is a 10-lesson experience that engages students in hands-on, collaborative activities in which they learn and apply foundational math concepts like area, perimeter, multiplicative reasoning and more. A few third-grade classes across NISD are utilizing PRISM Pet Supply lessons for the first time this year, and Ms. Flores’ class was all smiles as they worked hard to prepare their fictional stores for their grand opening.
When we visited Ms. Flores’ class, the lesson started with students reading the day’s learning target and success criteria aloud. Ms. Flores explained that the lesson would include writing scripts, creating props and filming commercials.
Next, Ms. Flores drew names from a bag to split the class into groups of four students. Each student received a script with blanks to fill in. Groups had to work together to come to a consensus on what to fill into their blanks, promoting positive discussion and collaboration among themselves.
One section of the script included creating a sale on an item in the store. This required students to use their math skills to tell the customer how much they'd be saving (subtraction) and also if they bought 10 of the items what the price would be (multiplication).
The third and final section of the script allowed groups to be creative and list reasons why a customer should visit PRISM. Students thought back on previous lessons to remember special sections they had created in their stores, such as petting zones, exotic animals, etc.
While groups were completing their scripts, Ms. Flores visited each group to check on their progress. When all groups had finished their scripts, it was time to work on props.
The quick switch from mathematicians to artists for these third graders is also when we were introduced to Flippy and Hammy, two class pets that reside in the flex space next to Ms. Flores’ classroom. Students were allowed to refer to Flippy the fish and Hammy the hamster in their commercials, and many did.
As students began to wrap up the creation of their props, Ms. Flores explained that commercials would need to be filmed the following day.
We returned the next day, and after a few minutes to refamiliarize themselves with their scripts and props, students began filming their commercials. Ms. Flores filmed each group, and the best groups would even be selected for Peterson Elementary’s morning announcements in the coming weeks.
Hammy was the star of the show for one group as they described the deal customers could get on hamster supplies in their store. Some groups even visited Flippy and Hammy in their homes to film a second portion of their commercial.
With their creative props and posters on display, each group showed off their public speaking, collaboration, mathematical and creative skills all in one fun and engaging lesson.
PRISM Pet Supply’s grand opening is less than a month away, and with a positive and encouraging teacher like Ms. Flores by their side, these Peterson students are doing a “pawsome” job getting ready for the big day.
Check back regularly all year as we continue to visit students and teachers throughout Northwest ISD and offer a rarely seen look Inside the Classroom.