Foreword by Cary Sneider Preface Acknowledgments About the Author Chapter 1. STEM-Infusing All Content Areas A Way of Teaching Misconceptions About STEM-Infusion Said No One Ever Spiraling Down A Breath of Fresh Air Model Not Subject Working Smarter Discussion Starters Your Next Step Chapter 2. Why STEM in Elementary? Then and Now 21st Century Readiness Motivating Change Discussion Starters Your Next Step Chapter 3. Rigor Meets Relevance Explosion Emotional Relevance Making It Matter The Relevance Trap The Role of Technology Discussion Starters Your Next Step Chapter 4. The Cross-Cutting Concepts Approach to STEM-Infusion The Pattern Revelation Cross-Cutting Concepts Creating STEM-Infused Lesson Plans With Cross-Cutting Concepts Concerns About Rearranging Standards When to Use This Approach Discussion Starters Your Next Step Chapter 5. The Standards Alignment Approach to STEM-Infusion Operation Top Secret Message Starting With the Standards Connecting the Unconnected When to Use This Approach Brainstorming Project Ideas Let the Creativity Begin Discussion Starters Your Next Step Chapter 6. The Thematic Approach to STEM-Infusion Play Ball The Thematic Approach Not Your Mama's Thematic Teaching When to Use This Approach Discussion Starters Your Next Step Chapter 7. Assessing STEM The Testing Mess My Mistake Assessing STEM Rubrics Student Goal Setting Student Journaling Improvement Logs Teacher Clipboard Assessing Social Emotional Learning Standardize Testing and STEM Discussion Starters Your Next Step Chapter 8. The Benefits of the STEM Mindset: Risk Taking and Resilience Locked Out A Mindset Shift Growth Versus Fixed Mindsets Growing From STEM Student Empowerment Discussion Starters Your Next Step Chapter 9. Student Collaboration Lego Trench Foundation of Communication Richness of the Interaction Discussion Starters Your Next Step Chapter 10. Leadership for Change A Really Hard Night Progress as an Expectation Modeling Parent Involvement Goal Setting Sharing Resources and Providing Support Teaching Teams Teacher Trust and Autonomy Closing Discussion Starters Your Next Step Resources Resource A. Pipeline Lesson Plan Resource B. Volcano Lesson Plan Resource C. Candy Cane Lesson Plan Resource D. Germs Lesson Plan Resource E. Top Secret Message Lesson Plan Resource F. Baseball Lesson Plan Resource G. Moon Rover Lesson Plan Resource H. Improvement Log Resource I. Storm Shelter Lesson Plan Resource J. Lego Lesson Plan Resource K. Tennis Shoe Lesson Plan Resource L. Helmet Lesson Plan Resource M. Blank Lesson Plan Template 1 Resource N. Blank Lesson Plan Template 2 Resource O. Additional STEM-Infused Activity Ideas Glossary References Index
This book gives teachers the know-how to develop standards-aligned STEM projects in all K-5 content areas with confidence. It includes real-world vignettes, sample lessons and templates, discussion questions, and practical action steps.
Miranda Talley Reagan began her career as a fourth grade teacher with an appreciation for hands-on learning and helping students make connections across content areas. When her school system began a K-12 STEM initiative, she was hired to develop and implement an elementary STEM curriculum for a K-3 STEM lab. During her two years in the STEM lab, Miranda logged her elementary STEM lab experiences on a blog on her school website which has become a popular resource for elementary STEM teachers nationwide and even internationally. After the success of the STEM lab, Miranda accepted a year-long position as Instructional Coach for STEM and Technology Integration. During this time, she led an initiative in her own school while also working with other schools interested in STEM integration. Miranda has now transitioned back into a third grade classroom in order to practice STEM-infusion full time. She continues to be a teacher leader within her school as well as providing professional development for other districts. Miranda has a Bachelor's degree in Child Development and Learning, a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction, and an Educational Specialist degree in Educational Leadership.