ADOPT-A-CLASSROOM

 

In 1999 the Selinsgrove Intermediate School began a new program called "Adopt-A-Classroom." Each classroom in the intermediate school was adopted by a local business for the year. During the year someone from the business comes to the class and interact with the students in a variety of ways. They might read to the students, practice spelling words, or tutor. They will also tell the class about their business and what part it plays in the community. The students will send samples of their work to the businesses to be displayed and many times the students will have a chance to visit the business and see it in operation first hand.

Since the program began, my room has been very fortunate to have Central Builders Supply as our adopted business. Mrs. Susan Armstrong has been coming to our classroom as the representative for Central Builders since the program began. Susan is responsible for the quality of every load of concrete that Central Builders sends to its customers.

Cenral Builders Supply Company was established in 1928 as a business which consisted of a concrete block plant and a road construction division. During World War II they shifted to the ready-mix concrete industry and the acquisition of sand and gravel plants. Today, it is a manufacturer of concrete block, ready-mix concrete, sand and gravel, and a supplier of concrete related products. To learn more about the company, click on their name above.

Each year Susan brings a wealth of information to our room and the students can't wait for her to come back for her next visit.

Check out some of the fun things we have done.

 

 

Susan is telling us about the aggregates used in concrete

 

 

Samples of concrete sand

 

 

Small stones used in making concrete

Sand used in making concrete

Are there any fossils in this rock?

 

Adding water to begin making our own concrete (actually mortar)

 

 

Mixing the mortar after all ingredients are added

 

 

Pouring the mortar into two equal piles

 

 

After adding a chemical to one of the piles of mortar, we compare

the piles to see which one is the easiest to work with.

 

In December Susan came back to school and helped our class make Christmas decorations out of concrete. We mixed the concrete and added red and green dye to color it. Each student made their own concrete Christmas decoration. We also made two large blocks that we gave away as prizes. Check out the fun below.

 

On her next visit to our classroom, Susan showed the students how she uses math in her job. We just finished studying volume in math and she had the students using their newly acquired skills to figure out how much concrete was needed to pour a sidewalk, patio and even a bridge deck. Susan also talked to the students about interviewing for a job and what kind of questions they might be asked by someone looking to hire them.

In a few months we hope to have a concrete truck visit the school so we can see up close a personal how concrete is mixed and delivered. Check out the pictures from a few years ago when the truck paid our class a visit.

 

Inside the cab. Can I reach the pedals?

 

This isn't a sliding board!

 

Where would you like your concrete?

 

In April we plan to visit the Central Builders plant outside of Selinsgrove on Route 522. Last year we had a great time there and saw how the plant operates. We also tried to make a flower pot for the school, but our new mix of concrete (a secret formula) didn't work. Better luck this year! Check out some pictures from our last visit.