Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
Andrew Nebl
ECED 5354
4/27/2018
Table of Contents
2. Teacher Resources
6. References
Personal Teaching Statement
This book pairs STEM strategies with appropriate activities. This is a great
resource for teachers because it creates a fusion of STEM functions with play-
based activity in learning centers which is an essential function for child social
and academic development.
This book offers simple lessons that contain multiple STEM lesson objectives in
each activity. It is designed to cover a wide age gap (ages 4-8) to make this a
useful resource to employ for years.
Comprehensive web resource that contains information and tools for teachers, parents, and
students. The website offers something for everyone ranging from virtual field trips for students
to professional development opportunities for teachers. There is even a parent’s resource tab.
The teacher resource seems to be the only free, non-subscription section and offers lesson plans
and tools for Kindergarten through 5th grade STEM development.
Lego education
From preschool to middle school, LEGO Education provides a continuum of hands-on playful
learning tools that engage every student's natural curiosities, and help them develop the skills and
confidence they'll need in the future. This web resource taps into children’s fascination with
legos by linking STEM strategy with building activities. It is an exceptional resource that
provides lesson plans and activities that develop multiple STEM concepts for preschoolers,
elementary and middle school students.
STEM-PBL
The Global Digital Citizen Foundation (GDCF) connects educators across varied geographic
divides with STEM and Project-based Learning resources. These resources assist with the
development of modern learning environments in schools and classrooms that guide students
towards taking ownership for their own learning. The primary objective of GDCF is to
developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills vital to student’s growth and
independence.
Integrated Curriculum
IntegratED is an all-inclusive arts integration and STEAM curriculum supplement. Inside this
digital curriculum are monthly packs with arts integration and STEAM lessons, assessments and
activities. Each lesson pack is carefully aligned to E/LA, Math, Social Studies and Science
standards with multiple arts areas. All the work has been done to save you time and let you do
what you do best: TEACH. The downside of this web resource is that it is not free and a yearly
subscription is required to use its lesson plans.
Engineering
Welcome to Get Caught Engineering, a resource site to help teachers and parents connect
classroom instruction with real life applications in STEM: science, technology, engineering and
math. The goal is to provide lessons, ideas, and references for hands-on engineering experiences
that excite and challenge elementary children.
Infants & Toddlers
Book #1
Big science concepts broken down so a toddler can understand the basic concepts. This book in
the series explores the basics of flight from birds to airplanes to rockets.
Three Pictures of the book (Cover + 2 that illustrate some STEM content):
There are higher level science core content themes in this book and in those others in the Baby
Loves Science series. The author does a great job of taking these otherwise complicated
teachings to a very basic level that young children can begin to understand. In this book the
author teaches the characteristics of flight and aerodynamics.
Explain why this is a good book as a launch for a STEM activity with the target age group:
This book and others in the series introduce STEM topics in a developmentally appropriate way.
Using colorful illustrations, this book describes elements of physics and engineering on an
abstract level by showing how birds fly as a way of introducing aerospace engineering. It is a
great tool for development of core science content at such an early age.
Standard: CD-SC1.3b
Uses simple tools to experiment and observe.
Standard: CD-SC1:
The child will demonstrate scientific inquiry skills.
Standard: CD-MA5:
The child will explore, recognize and describe spatial relationships between objects.
Standard: CD-CP:
The child will demonstrate awareness of cause and effect.
The Activity:
The children will….
1. Listen to the story Baby Loves Aerospace Engineering
2. Design their own object that flies.
(a) Draw the object on paper using a crayon or pencil
(b) Overlay the drawing on the felt
(c) Cut out object
3. Determine how to make their object fly using the provided materials
Questions: How can you make your object fly? What other things fly? How do those items fly?
The children will have achieved the objectives of the lesson if they:
Time will be allocated for play-activity with their “objects of flight”. An assessment of
the learning objectives can be made by observation of the children’s play with their
creations. The lesson will conclude with a group conversation where the students will
describe others objects and why or why not they think they could fly.
Book #2
Dodds, D. (1996, March). The Shape of Things. School & Library Binding
A simple book that uses rhyming words and bright, colorful illustrations to introduce young
children to shapes.
Three Pictures of the book (Cover + 2 that illustrate some STEM content):
Most of the STEM content is based on mathematics concepts found in geometry. However, this
book can generate other STEM instruction built from the knowledge of shapes. The children will
learn how our environment is made from simple shapes that come together to form larger shapes
in things such as houses and boats.
Explain why this is a good book as a launch for a STEM activity with the target age group:
This book serves as a good introduction to basic shapes. The rhyming verse and bright
illustrations will keep a child’s interest while they learn the structure and identification of basic
shapes. The book can be used for purposes of a basic introduction to shapes and can also be used
for teaching more advanced geometry concepts like how a combination of shapes can make a
larger shape/object. There are fun activities at the end of the book that can assess the children’s
understanding of the content.
State Standard Focus: Georgia Early Learning and Development Standards (GELDS)
Standard: CD-MA6
The child will explore, recognize and describe shapes and shape concepts.
Standard: CD-SC3
The child will demonstrate knowledge related to living things and their environments.
Standard: CD-CR2
The child will create and explore visual art forms to develop artistic expression.
Science – Creation of an object from shapes will demonstrate the child is using prior knowledge
to build new knowledge.
Technology – Use of tools to form shapes and objects.
Engineering – Create shapes from objects; Create an object from shapes
Mathematics – Geometric principles – ID and recall shapes; use shapes to form larger objects
Test preexisting knowledge by using shape prompts to determine if the students have any
prior knowledge before beginning.
Give a brief description of the shape and its characteristics
The Activity:
Questions: What objects are shaped like a square? What objects are shaped like a circle? What
objects are shaped like a rectangle? What objects are shaped like triangle?
The children will have achieved the objectives of the lesson if they:
Dean, J. (2016, April). Freddy the Frogcaster and the Huge Hurricane. Regnery Kids
Brief description of the book (general): Freddy is a weather forecaster “frogcaster” and he is
currently tracking a hurricane heading for the town of Lilypad. As he details the potential
impacts of the storm he is worried that the town’s residents will not be prepared for the storm.
Freddy has a big responsibility to accurately forecast the storms track so he can be sure his
family and friends stay safe.
Three Pictures of the book (Cover + 2 that illustrate some STEM content):
Explain why this is a good book as a launch for a STEM activity with the target age group:
The children will want to know weather characteristics like Freddy does. They will be curious
about hurricanes and how they form. They will be anxious about getting Freddy’s family and
friends to a safe place. They will connect with Freddy and want to learn more about science core
concepts found in weather and climate study.
SKCS1.
Students will be aware of the importance of curiosity, honesty, openness, and skepticism in
science and will exhibit these traits in their own efforts to understand how the world works.
Launch/Introduction: Ask students what their experience has been with hurricanes. Let them
tell stories of what it was like being in a hurricane and cleaning up.
The Activity:
Students will build a house capable of withstanding hurricane conditions.
1. Listening to the story of Freddy the Frogcaster and the Huge Hurricane
2. Learning about hurricane formation and characteristics
3. Creating their own hurricane safe-house using the materials provided
4. Simulating hurricane conditions using a fan and pan of water to determine if the structure
they built is suitable
1. Read aloud the book Freddy the Frogcaster and the Huge Hurricane
2. Describe the hands-on activity
3. Assist the students with any issues
4. Assess if the students achieved the learning objectives.
Questions: What type of house is best to withstand hurricane conditions? What things will you
consider when building your home? How do you think your house is going to do?
Students will have achieved the learning objectives of this lesson if:
Book #2
Eastman, P. D. (1968, July). The Best Nest. Random House Books for Young Readers
Mr. and Mrs. Bird were a happy couple in their nest until Mrs. Bird decided she wanted to move.
They tried a number of places to build a new nest which led them to some interesting places. In
the end they realized that their original nest was the best and returned there to live happily ever
after.
Three Pictures of the book (Cover + 2 that illustrate some STEM content):
Science concepts introduce birds and their habitat along with environmental impacts from living
in the wild. The birds use materials available to them to create a nest suitable to live in. The birds
are faced with problem solving scenarios when they cannot find a suitable home.
Explain why this is a good book as a launch for a STEM activity with the target age group:
This book is a good method to introduce bird characteristics and habitat. I intend to use this story
book to show how birds live in our environment and make homes out of the materials they can
find and build a nest with. The children will be connected to this story and STEM concepts in the
process.
MGSEK.MD.3
Classify objects into given categories; count the numbers of objects in each category and
sort the categories by count.
SKL1.
Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about how organisms (alive and not
alive) and non-living objects are grouped
VAK.CR1
Engage in the creative process to generate and visualize ideas by using subject matter and
symbols to communicate meaning.
Engineering – Think about which materials they need to build a nest. Build a nest capable of
holding the weight of a bird and eggs.
The Activity:
Students will work in teams to create a bird’s nest given certain criteria and constraints.
Questions: How do you think birds build nests in trees? What kinds of materials do you think
birds use to build nests?
Students will have achieved the learning objectives of this lesson if:
Book #1
Take a trip around the world following a drop of water on its wild journey. This captivating story
introduces the stages of the water cycle in a unique and interesting manner that is easy for
children to understand.
Three Pictures of the book (Cover + 2 that illustrate some STEM content):
Brief description of the STEM content found in the book:
Core content in science is the main theme of this book. The stages of the water cycle are
presented in a unique manner that children will remember. The resultant activities and
experiments offer a variety of STEM learning objectives.
Explain why this is a good book as a launch for a STEM activity with the target age group:
The children will connect with the drop of water along its journey and be captivated by its
experiences and change in physical properties. This is a great method to introduce the water
cycle, weather changes, landforms, and some geography. There is a wealth of activities that can
be sparked from the information provided.
S3CS1.
Students will be aware of the importance of curiosity, honesty, openness, and skepticism in
science and will exhibit these traits in their own efforts to understand how the world works.
S3CS7.
Students will be familiar with the character of scientific knowledge and how it is achieved.
S3L2.
Students will recognize the effects of pollution and humans on the environment.
MGSE CLUSTER #1
Solve problems involving measurement and estimation of intervals of time, liquid, volumes, and
masses of objects.
VA3CR1
Engage in the creative process to generate and visualize ideas by using subject matter and
symbols to communicate meaning.
measuring cup
Sharpie markers
cups
food coloring
water
ziplock bags - gallon size
tape
Launch/Introduction:
I will start this activity with a pre-activity to get the students excited about learning about the
water cycle. For the pre-activity, I will have the children build their own water slide out of
materials such as toilet tissue tubes, popsicle sticks, and aluminum foil. This activity will
demonstrate properties of water, but have little to do with the water cycle. However, it will
engage the students and grab their attention to focus on the upcoming water cycle module.
The Activity:
Students will have achieved the learning objectives of this lesson if:
Book #2
Branley, F. M. (2015, August). What Makes Day and Night, HarperCollins Publishing
This book explains the Earth's rotation in clear and simple terms. Included is an experiment
using a lamp as the sun which further emphasized the scientific principles introduced.
Three Pictures of the book (Cover + 2 that illustrate some STEM content):
Brief description of the STEM content found in the book:
This book is about the earth’s rotation and the cause effect relationship of the moon and sun on
the earth’s movement. It does a really good job of explaining how the rotation of the earth
creates both day and night.
Explain why this is a good book as a launch for a STEM activity with the target age group:
A simple, easy-to-read introduction to the earth's shape. Written in child friendly language, the
book describes how the earth revolves to create night and day, sunsets and sunrises. The included
experiment immediately applies the knowledge gained in the book and shows the students the
concept. There are numerous STEM activities that can be launched after reading this book
enveloping more STEM content.
S2CS5.
Students will communicate scientific ideas and activities clearly.
S2E2.
Students will investigate the position of sun and moon to show patterns throughout the year.
MGSE2.MD.2
Measure the length of an object twice, using length units of different measurements; describe
how the two measurements relate to the size of the unit chosen. Understand the relative size of
units in different systems of measurement.
3 square foot section outside that gets sun all day long
3’ stake
5-6 light-colored rocks
Bright colored ribbon
Compass
Rocks that will fit in the palm of a hand
Paint
Launch/Introduction:
Have you ever been playing and outside and wondered what time it is? Is it time for lunch? Is it
time to go home? How do you know? What are some ways you can tell time without a watch or a
cellphone? How do you think people knew what time it was before they had these devices and
clocks? How can you use the sun to know the general time of day?
The Activity:
They can describe why the shadow moves around the stake
Provide an explanation for what causes day and night
Actively participate in the hands-on
References
Jolly, A. (2014, June). Six Characteristics of a Great STEM Lesson. Education Week Teacher,
Group Online Access
Lalonde, S. (2016, March) Spring STEM: Building a Bird’s Nest. Building, Engineering,
Science, STEAM, STEM
GreenDim (2017, April) Diy Tutorial: Fog, Water, Rain! Create Your Own Water Cycle in a
Plastic Bag
Sharapan, H. (2012, Jan). How Early Childhood Educators Can Apply Fred Rogers’ Approach
National Association for the Education of Young Children, pp. 36-40
Kamenetz, A. (2014, May). Why Mr. Rogers Is Having A Big Moment In Education, Learning
& Tech
Sarama, J. and Clements, D. (2009, winter). Building blocks and cognitive building blocks:
Playing to know the world mathematically. American Journal of Play, 313–337
Perry, B., & Dockett, S. (2007). Play and mathematics. Adelaide: Australian Association of
Mathematics Teachers(retrieved 2010 from
http://www.aamt.edu.au/Documentation/Statements/Early Childhood Mathematics support paper
Play).
Ontario Ministry of Education. (2003). Early Math strategy: The report of the Expert Panel on
Early Math in Ontario . Toronto: Queen’s Printer for Ontario.