The annual Balloons Over Broadway project at EJR was a tremendous success once again. This collaborative, cross-curricular experience blended art, persuasive writing, reading, and robotics into one unforgettable event.

 

 

Fourth-graders began by reading Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade by Melissa Sweet, which tells the story of Tony Sarg, the creative mind behind the iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons.

 

 

Inspired by the book, students designed their own parade balloons, creating both paper and clay models. They then wrote persuasive letters to Macy’s explaining why their balloon should be featured in the parade. These letters were displayed in the hallway alongside their paper creations.

 

 

For the robotics component, each clay balloon was mounted on a cup containing a Sphero robot—technology the students have learned to code and control. Using their programmed Sphero, the fourth-graders proudly paraded their balloons through the school hallways to the cheers of students and staff.

 

This memorable project not only celebrated creativity and learning but also brought such joy to the entire school community.