SKWK8 STEAM Sharks shook hands mechanically with the hands they built. Students learned about the design challenge and terminology to flex their construction muscles. They analyzed their hands, joints, and fingers and designed prototypes to accomplish two tasks. First, they had to grab an object and move it to a target, next they had to flex and extend the fingers to push an object to the target. Students timed each other rolling the object and then compared results to find the fastest and slowest times. Students walked through the design process, anticipating potential cons of their design so they could … Read More

Shark STEAM students used Lego bricks to build better communication. Students were grouped to be writers who made a small Lego build, and then wrote directions for the builders to follow. After evaluating that method of communication, they could then speak directions, but with no gestures or touching the bricks. This was deemed much better than writing and following directions! Finally, all students could build together. Everyone could talk, touch, gesture, and speak to build a figure together. Students learned how valuable clarifying questions and feedback are to understanding each other as well as having fun building bricks!

Third graders in Ms. Hernandez’s classes had a spook-tacular time during our Interactive Whiteboard Spooky Scoot. Students worked in teams to complete 10 task cards that challenged their understanding of place value using vertical whiteboards and collaborative problem-solving. Throughout the activity, students practiced skills from: MA.3.NSO.1 – Understanding the place value of four-digit numbers MA.3.NSO.1.2 – Composing and decomposing numbers in multiple ways using thousands, hundreds, tens, and ones (with drawings, models, and equations!) MA.3.NSO.1.3 – Plotting, ordering, and comparing whole numbers up to 10,000 Students moved from one “station” to the next, solving problems, checking their work, and discussing … Read More

Mrs. Boham’s SLWK8 STEAM SHARKS added a touch of mint to sweeten the end of their semester and year.  Previously, students designed candy bars and then voted to pick the favorite from each class, then an overall favorite for all classes. The winning bar was “Snowy Days” which was created by 7th graders.  Students layered in the fun when they proved themselves as chocolatiers and made a batch of the bars for themselves. While not ready to go into full production, the candy bar was a yummy treat to enjoy before winter break. Students truly enjoyed and loved their delicious designs!

Third-grade students in Mrs. D’Andrea’s gifted class were exposed to a step-by-step hands-on tutorial for the functions of PowerPoint. Students are able to use these skills in current and future project-based learnings!

Third graders in Ms. Pepe’s class solved real-world problems using liquid volume by completing a scoot around the room! Students were given a multi-step word problem involving liquid volume. They had to fill a 140-liter fish tank using the liter amounts of 9,5, and 2. Each group elected one spokesperson to explain their thinking to the class, then they were challenged to solve the same problem using a different method!

Students in Mrs. Saget’s 5th grade ELA classes are focused on PIE (Persuade, Inform, Entertain)! They collaboratively worked together on Author’s Purpose and Perspective. Once the purpose of the text was identified they highlighted different phrases and words to determine the author’s perspective (mood/feelings) about the text.

Students in St. Lucie West K-8 School’s grade 4-6 Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) class had fun while learning during their Math block! By using task boxes, students were able to practice their Math skills independently. Teachers Ms. Davis and Ms. McIntosh designed the task boxes which contain all the materials required for a specific activity.  Activities in the task boxes are planned by the teachers according to each students’ goals and Individual Education Plans. JAWSOME JOB SHARKS! (Students pictured are Mason Torres, Joshua Cranston, Chase Rondeau, and Andrew Mendez, )

Homework just got a lot more fun in Mrs. Quiles’s 3rd-grade class! Say goodbye to boring routines—our students are getting engaged and staying accountable with Homework Monopoly! Students truly look forward to each week to share their completed assignments and to take their turn to roll the dice. Each assignment completed moves them closer to exciting rewards and friendly competition, turning responsibility into a game they can’t wait to play. From Chance cards to Bonus spaces, students are learning that hard work really does pay off. In Mrs. Quiles’s class, accountability is fun, motivation is high, and learning never stops!

St. Lucie West K-8’s First Grade teacher, Ms. Torres, arranged a Teams call for all First Graders to interview one of her students’ dads who is serving in the United States Navy. As students took turns asking questions, he answered and then spoke about his job and what it is like to live on a Navy base in Guam. What a JAWSOME opportunity! Way to go, Sharks!    

St. Lucie West K-8 Sharks were stoked to connect mathematics to their everyday technology, recreational, and social media interests. Students in Mrs. Portee’s 5th-grade math classes had to determine the mean, median, mode, and range of various data sets. To further pique their interest and engagement, each data set was intentionally created based on what our students enjoy, such as TikTok videos, Pokémon cards, and Roblox gift cards. The students were truly engaged and thoroughly enjoyed collaborating to share their results and add even more meaning to their data sets! Mrs. Portee motivates students every day with her innovative and … Read More

St. Lucie West K8 students in Mrs. Howard’s 6th-grade ELA classes dove into plot structure by color-coding key elements within a text. This hands-on activity challenged them to identify and label exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. By visually mapping these components, students gained a deeper understanding of how narrative arcs develop and create engaging stories. Their dedication to dissecting the plot diagram was evident, showcasing excellent reading comprehension and analytical skills. The 6th-grade Sharks truly excelled in this engaging lesson while strengthening their critical thinking skills. At Shark Nation, we encourage students to keep reading and thriving! … Read More

Fifth graders in Mrs. Portee’s class are sensational with strategies! Students competed in groups to solve multi-digit multiplication equations using various methods such as Area Model, Partial Product, and Traditional.  

Third graders in Ms. Paries’ class are focused on figurative language! Students worked in collaborative groups to identify similes within the text and on task cards.   

One of St. Lucie West K-8 School’s First graders and her family tragically endured a house fire a few weeks ago and lost everything. SLWK8 Sharks Student Council and Kindness Club organized a “No Collar for a Dollar” fundraiser on October 14th for all students, staff and teachers. In the true spirit of Shark Nation fashion, the school raised over $1000.00 for the family! Principal Gardner, Assistant Principal (Elementary) Luvenia Morgan, Student Council President, Amy McDonald and SLWK8’s Kindness Club Sponsor, Jaime Mazzo presented the check to Mom. WAY TO GO SHARK NATION!  

At St. Lucie West K-8 School, our MySchool Shark Chefs in Ms. Tremblay’s Middle School Fundamentals of Culinary Career class began their Food and Nutrition Unit and learned five different ways to prepare eggs as well as the history and variations of pizza! Check out these appetizing samples made in their own kitchens! (Food submissions by: Mason Smith, Marley Hanna; Hector Maldonado; Jaaden Rolle; Fiona Williams; and Richard Walker Jr.)

Mrs. Boham’s STEAM students designed and built bridges to test the efficiency of failure points. SKWK8 STEAM Sharks brought the bridge down this week! Sharks explored careers in construction and civil engineering to design and build bridges from balsa wood as a concept for a future bridge over the Indian River Lagoon.  They spent time analyzing the environmental and structural requirements needed for location, climate, and population. After learning bridge terminology, they applied the terms to design a bridge that would hold up under compression and tension forces. Teamwork triumphed to complete the preplanning including thumbnails of truss bridges. They … Read More

Second graders in Mrs. Kauth’s class put their mathematical skills to the test. Students collaborated and completed a scoot around the room, practicing their coin-counting skills.   

Second-grade Sharks had an amazing time on our field trip to Texas Roadhouse! We kicked off our visit by using our writing skills to create heartfelt thank-you letters for our military—a wonderful way to show appreciation and practice kindness. Then the fun really began! Students participated in relay races carrying trays filled with cups and food baskets, practiced busing tables, took a behind-the-scenes kitchen tour, and even made their own bread rolls! Of course, the best part was enjoying their freshly baked rolls with a delicious chicken-finger basket. What an unforgettable day of learning, teamwork, and fun!   

Congratulations to St. Lucie West K-8’s 2020-2021 Track Team! Overall, the girls’ team finished 3rd place and the boys’ team finished 2nd place. We are very proud of each students’ determination and excellent sportsmanship! JAWSOME JOB SHARKS!