What your Stem Story Challenge will have: 3 Illustrated Stories, Teacher Guide, Vocabulary Cards, Rubric, and a Journal!

Bring STEM to your classroom with this hand picked list of STEM Kindergarten Books! They are great for science in the classroom and nonfiction unit study.

It's never a good idea to step into a classroom without clear, ready lessons. But, one day last fall it happened. I knew we were going to build a treasure box, but I really needed a way to set this up. I immediately thought of a pirate book! The book I was thinking about is

Fairy Tales STEM Blog Series What are STEM Tales? STEM Tales are a way to integrate literacy and STEM/STEAM activities for kids in first through third grade. The stories engage the kids, and as they read through the story they are seamlessly lead through the Engineering Design Process. Click any of the images below to read more about the STEM challenge, read this post about how to run a STEM tale challenge, or visit my Teachers pay Teachers shop where you can purchase one STEM tale, sets of 3, or 12 altogether. Goldilocks and the Three Bears Robin Hood Rapunzel Hansel and Gretel Beauty and the Beast Jack and the Beanstalk The Ugly Duckling The 3 Billy Goats Gruff The 3 Little Pigs Snow White Little Red Riding Hood The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

We often are asked by parents for “science books for preschoolers” and after a reference interview, we find that they are looking to teach their kids a variety of science concepts at a young age and finding books that are academic enough to satisfy the parents can be difficult. I created the list below filled with nonfiction titles, but also picture book titles that introduce some basic science concepts, but are still developmentally appropriate for a very young audience. I created a math list previously on this site (14 Picture Books to Introduce Math Concepts), so stop by that list for math titles (you won’t find them repeated here). These are just a few, there are more than I could ever put into a list, but find a few of these as a jumping off point! Enjoy! Science Weather/Seasons Animals Human Body Outer Space Nature Technology/Engineering

Build a DIY seismograph to learn about earthquakes and how they are measured. This simple STEM project teaches the science behind world events.

Seems like everyone's talking about the importance of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics) these days. And hey, I get it. We live in a highly technological world that's rapidly advancing in all sorts of new ways. We want our kids to be be creative and adaptive problem solvers. But maybe you're like me and you deeply love arts and crafts. They're your jam. And maybe you're unsure how to dive into all this STEAM goodness. Hey, I get that too. Hopefully today's post will help. In this post I sharing over 40 ideas for arts and craft projects that also happen to incorporate STEM ideas. Yup. Here are some of my favorite artsy crafty posts...which also happen to have a little STEAM-y oomph to them! This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for the support! For my full disclosure policy, click here. Here's a quick guide for how to combine STEM learning with Art Projects- You could try... Making art materials with kids Encouraging kids to study and experiment with their art supplies Making art to illustrate STEM ideas Building toys with kids Folding Origami with kids Alright. You got the quick guide. So now let's roll up our sleeves and break down each of these ideas! Make Art Materials with Kids Store bought art materials are awesome. They're quick and easy to use. But did you know that there's a TON of science involved in making these materials? (Side note- I recently read this book and cannot recommend it enough. History, science, intrigue... who knew all these things went on to create colors!) To help give kids a firsthand experience to this process, try making your own art supplies together! Cutting, mixing, melting, cooking, combining, problem solving..... they get to be a color scientist! With a little bit of science, technology, engineering and mathematics know-how, you can create any of these art supplies from everyday materials! DIY Paint With Water Pages Homemade Watercolor Paints Corn Syrup Paint DIY Quill Pens 2 Ingredient Body Paint Recipe 3 Ingredient Body Paint Recipe Sidewalk Chalk Paint Homemade Finger paint Glowing Skin Tattoo Markers DIY Glow in the Dark Chalk DIY Eggshell Sidewalk Chalk DIY Sun Prints DIY Giant Scratch board Art Spinning Top Markers Experiment with Art Materials Another easy way to incorporate STEM ideas with arts and crafts is by intentionally exploring and studying the different properties of your supplies. For example, what happens when you apply heat to crayons? What happens when water drips onto marker? Can markers draw on all surfaces? When kids explore questions like these they are being creative and thinking unconventionally. Some examples of these types of activities include... Rainy Day Process Art Sharpie Tie Dye Melted Crayon Rocks Comparing Art Materials with preschoolers Melted Crayon Art Use Art to illustrate STEM ideas Let's face it. Understanding STEM ideas can be tough. Luckily, many concepts are more easily understood with accompanying visual explanations. We can use art projects to help teach or clarify these difficult ideas for kids. Some examples of these types of projects include... Understanding Pi with String Art Number Chart Art Exploring Pi with Colorful Art Exploring the idea of 100 with Colors Creating Pattern bracelets with kids Exploring symmetry with Inkblot Shirts Learning about dinosaur skeletons with Tape Resist Art Learning about ant colonies with Tape Resist Art Fall Leaf Scratch Art: Showing how leaves change colors Learning about the solar system with clay jewelry Flower Pigment Pounding with Kids Exploring Cameras with Flashlight Painting Build Toys with Kids I'm a lover of all classic toys... as well as a cardboard hoarder. Yup. It's a pretty great combination. (Or a dangerous one... muah ha ha!) I love turning cardboard into all sorts of fun toys with my kids. We get to be artsy-crafty engineers, designers, and mathematicians all at once. Some examples of our favorite handmade toys include... Straw Rockets 1 sheet Kite Cardboard Climbing Circus Men Toys Rocket Launcher Tube Toy Cardboard Toy Launcher Awesome Cardboard Train and Car Bridge DIY Flying Whirly Copter Toy Cardboard and Soda Can Cars that Drive themselves! Climbing Spaceship Toy Light-up Cardboard Airport Runway Toilet Roll Airplanes Moving Lego Conveyor Belt Spare Parts Wooden Car Pizza Box Garage Cardboard Space Shuttle Cardboard Cash Register Use Science to Make Art Does "art" always have to be created using conventional materials? No! Why not use scientific ideas to create your own STEAM-filled art? UV Light Bracelets Magnetic Sculptures Watercolor Resist Notebooks Grow Easy Crystal Flowers Grow Crystals on Nature Grow Mini Crystal Sculptures Fold Origami Origami is such a beautiful art form. You use your creative, artsy side to fold and manipulate a simple flat sheet of paper into something entirely different. You also explore math ideas like geometry in an intuitive way. And, did you know that origami even inspires NASA scientists to think about solar panels in a different way? We've got tons of unique and cute origami projects! Phew. That was a long list. Want more? Awesome. I'm so glad! Hopefully you try out a couple of the projects above and find yourself really enjoying the whole process with the kiddos. And if you're looking for even more ideas... then I definitely recommend you check out this AWESOME NEW STEAM book for kids! STEAM KIDS! It's packed to the brim with over 50 hand-on projects that you can do with the kids... right now. This book is a collaborative work of love by several STEAM-loving bloggers . We're engineers, homeschoolers, educators, designers, and moms who put together over 50+ fun activities for kids 4-10 years old. Our goal is to excite and motivate kids to explore STEAM ideas in a hands-on-way. You can visit Amazon to purchase a book today! Or, if you prefer, you can also purchase an e-book version! And, join our STEAM kids Facebook group to meet over 700 like minded individuals who are trying to tackle STEAM learning as well. (I'll see you there!) Happy STEAM-ing, friends!

Right now I’m in the process of creating a series of STEM projects for students who are studying Ancient Civilizations.. Next stop, Ancient Egypt! I had been really looking forward to designing projects for this unit! I had so many different ideas for Egypt STEM challenges, it was hard to narrow it down to just two

Storytelling and coding are the ideal combination when introducing programming concepts to beginners. If you are teaching a STEM unit with primary or elementary students consider designing an animated story using Scratch Jr. Discover the reasons for blending creative writing with coding activities.

The art of communicating a message is a necessary virtue for great orators and lecturers. However, we also sometimes need...

Do you sometimes feel like running out of ideas or not being able to think out of the box? Well, we all encounter this situation many times in our day-to-day life. Coming up with new innovative ideas requires a lot of effort. Our brain often gets stuck on one

Save Fred Activity - Back to School / Team Building STEM Challenge This NGSS-aligned STEM challenge is a great team building activity that requires students to collaborate in small groups while problem solving through their attempts to save Fred the worm. Contents include: Challenge Poster/Background Story Materials & Instructions Guide Rules Poster Procedural Writing Organizers Reflection Questions (2 pages)

Is your child or a particular student struggling with math on a daily basis? It is not unusual for children or students to be challenged with math homework once in awhile. However, if he experiences problems with numbers or has low math test scores yet does well in other subjects, he could have a math learning disability (LD) called dyscalculia. This LD called dyscalculia is a brain-related condition that makes basic arithmetic and its concepts very hard to learn. The condition may be hereditary, but scientists have not yet discovered any genes specifically related to it. Up to 7% of elementary school students have dyscalculia. Research suggests it's as common as dyslexia -- a reading disorder -- but not as well understood. In fact, kids and parents sometimes call it “math dyslexia,” but this can be confusing because dyscalculia is a completely different condition. Your school or doctor may call it a “mathematics learning disability” or a “math disorder.” This math LD can sometimes be associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) -- up to 60% of people who have ADHD also have a learning disorder like dyscalculia. Dyscalculia, sometimes called math dyslexia, covers a wide range of math difficulties. The symptoms can also change as your child gets older and is expected to think about math in new ways. Here are signs of the math struggles you might see at different ages. From the following 2 lists, if you find that your child or student demonstrates more weaknesses than he does strengths, a math learning disability or dyscalculia may be the issue: Strengths in Mathematics -Correctly sequences numbers, equations and formulas -Correctly performs mental math processes -Accurately conducts math computations -Completes work logically and with minimal errors -Understands math concepts -Appropriately uses both oral and written math terms -Consistently and correctly remembers math facts Weaknesses in Mathematics -Rarely sequences numbers, equations and formulas correctly -Unable to perform mental math processes -Usually conducts math computations inaccurately -Makes many careless errors, often choosing the wrong operation -Has difficulty understanding math concepts -Rarely uses math terms appropriately---both orally and in written work -Unable to accurately recall math facts (though many children today are not committing math facts to memory.) -Unable to do word problems Once you have determined the strengths vs. weaknesses ratio as stated above, consider using one or more of the following top resources to help initiate progress for your child or student with dyscalculia or other related math issues. These links can provide a bridge while waiting to access professional evaluation, services and support for a math LD. BEST 5 Dyscalculia Resources 1. Math Worksheets-from edhelper.com This link provides FREE math printables that include daily math activities, math puzzles and much more. https://www.edhelper.com/math_worksheets.htm 2. Dyscalculia Resource Treasure Collection from tesSpecialNeeds This resource includes a set of activities, flash cards, strategies, revision aids and posters all developed to support pupils with dyscalculia. All resources have a clear layout and include visual support where necessary. Sassoon font is used throughout. https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/dyscalculia-resource-treasure-collection-6302884 3. Dyscalculia Worksheets & Other Resources from HelpingWithMath.com Here is included a list of printable math resources that have people with Dyscalculia and/or Dyslexia in mind. This is a good resource for materials to help with learning math facts. https://www.helpingwithmath.com/resources/wor-dyscalculia.htm 4. Dyscalculia Primer and Resource Guide by Dr. Anna J. Wilson Dr. Wilson is an OECD Post-Doctoral Fellow at INSERM U562, Paris, conducting cognitive neuroscience research on the remediation of dyscalculia. The purpose of this primer is to explain the cognitive neuroscience approach to dyscalculia (including the state of research in this area), to answer frequently asked questions, and to point the reader towards further resources on the subject. Further references include some of the major scientific literature in the field, as well as reading suggestions for teachers and parents. http://www.oecd.org/edu/ceri/dyscalculiaprimerandresourceguide.htm 5. 100 Best Resources for Kids Who Struggle With Math by Marianne Sunderland This post includes 100+ resources are books, websites, games, apps, and curricula that teach math in a variety of multi-sensory ways that will provide effective tools for teaching math, especially when a child struggles with math facts and concepts. https://homeschoolingwithdyslexia.com/100-best-resources-struggle-math/ BONUS Tip: For children or students with math and spatial challenges, consider using colored graph paper or Reading Focus Cards (low-tech and digital) to maintain placeholder columns. The following links can provide the needed supports for these materials. Free Grid Paper Pages from Nyla's Crafty Teaching FREE downloadable blackline grid templates that are drawn to scale both for inches and cm. Use them for placeholder support (i.e., column addition, long multiplication and division, etc.) creating symmetry worksheets, bar graphs, reflections (flips), translations (slides), rotations (turns), area and perimeter models and 100 charts. The exact sizes in this set are: .5cm x .5cm grids (for making hundreds charts & multiplication charts) 1cm x 1cm grids, 2cm x cm grids, and 1 in. x 1 in. grids. https://mscraftynyla.blogspot.com/2014/09/free-grid-paper-pages.html Reading Focus Cards (low-tech & digital tools) Use the Reading Focus Cards for placeholder support with long addition, multiplication and division, as well as with algebraic equations and other math applications. Utilizing these physical and digital tools can help increase focus on the needed math operation and improve accuracy with problem solving. http://www.focusandread.com/products Sources What Is Dyscalculia? What Should I Do if My Child Has It? from WebMD.com https://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/childhood-adhd/dyscalculia-facts#1 Dyscalculia: What You’re Seeing from Understood.org https://www.understood.org/en/learning-attention-issues/child-learning-disabilities/dyscalculia/dyscalculia-what-youre-seeing Homeschooling With Dyslexia Blog by Marianne Sunderland Marianne Sunderland is the creator of Homeschooling With Dyslexia, a site dedicated to educating and encouraging parents to successfully homeschool their children with dyslexia and related learning disabilities. https://homeschoolingwithdyslexia.com/ For tools & resources to help improve reading & math skills, visit: www.FocusandRead.com Tools for struggling readers of all ages! www.BrennanInnovators.com Info & support for struggling readers 314-892-3897 Image sources: Brennan Innovators, LLC at www.focusandread.com AND Pixabay.com at https://pixabay.com

Help your students avoid the STUCK feeling when writing about their reading! Reading responses do NOT have to be challenging when you can use sentence stems to get your students started.  These reading response posters are great as a wall display, a reference ring, or for your students’ interactive notebooks.  Each chart gives students multiple ways to begin their written responses to eliminate starting each response the same way. These charts will also assist all students (general education, special education, and ESL) with orally responding. This resource will help differentiate your students’ needs and will have your students feeling a lot less overwhelmed when responding to texts.  Here's what you'll get: 2 Different Size Options Color Accents AND Black and White Options 80+ Sentence Starters 12 Chart Categories to include: My Prior Knowledge Asking Questions Making Predictions Summarizing Visualizing Making Connections Inferring Characters Evaluating Text Monitoring & Clarifying Author’s Craft Reflection Your students will feel empowered with these charts as they realize they CAN respond to their reading. These stems will give your students the small boost they need to accurately show YOU their comprehension and mastery of reading skills & reading strategies. These are also great to use as a differentiation tool to give help to readers who feel stuck and do not know where to start.  Prep is so simple... Just print the size you need and go!  Ways to Use: Whole group discussion stems Interactive reading notebooks Guided reading (written response or discussion stems) In a picture frame at your guided reading table On binder rings (portable use) On your classroom wall (large anchor charts) TEACHERS LIKE YOU SAID… ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Jennifer Ellsworth. says, "This resource helps students of all reading, writing, and speaking levels feel more confident when answering text-based questions. I use it often in both whole and small-group instruction." ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Nadia B. says, "These sentence stems are perfect to help my students with writing written responses.  They are stuck with how to begin. I printed the small versions and we put them inside the plastic protectors for collection cards." ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meridy W. says, "This resource was helpful as a reference tool for my students as they learn to write essays and recall information from their independent reading books. Thank you!" ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Tammika T. says, "This is a great resource for providing additional instructional support during the ELA block. I use this product with small groups to help structure their writing incrementally. The organizer is a great anchor for students to refer back to in their Seed Notebooks as they continue to work independently to strengthen their writing abilities and produce high-quality work." You may also like… → Reading Trifolds → Reading Strategies Charts → Reading Graphic Organizers → Reading Response Stem Cards (Set 1 + 2) Copyright © The Literacy Dive. Permission to copy for single classroom use only. Please purchase additional licenses if you intend to share this product.

If you're searching for comprehensive worksheets that cover the fundamental concepts of energy, light, heat, and sound, then you've come to the right place. These worksheets are designed to engage learners of all ages and provide a solid understanding of these essential topics. With clear and concise explanations, engaging activities, and thought-provoking questions, these worksheets are perfect for students, homeschoolers, or anyone looking to brush up on their knowledge of energy, light, heat, and sound. Let's dive in and explore the exciting world of energy and its various forms together!

Perfectionism, when unhealthy, drives a person to exhaustion striving for a flawlessness that’s neither reasonable nor healthy. Though it may seem contradictory, perfectionist traits may stem from ADHD — an overcompensation for past errors or for feeling “not good enough.” Letting go of perfectionism does not mean eliminating worries around mistakes, failure, and judgment, but rather accepting that they are part of life — and one that can help us grow.

The activities below are available for free download, and are to be used in educational and/or private settings. They may not be used elsewhere or for other purposes (such as for profit) unless exp…

Geography infographic: advice and guidance showing the different career paths if you study geography

The activities below are available for free download, and are to be used in educational and/or private settings. They may not be used elsewhere or for other purposes (such as for profit) unless exp…

NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Book 2019 Selection NSTA Best STEM Trade Books for Students K-12 2019 Selection 2019 Amelia Bloomer List Selection 2019 Mathical Honor Book Meet Raye Montague--the hidden mastermind who made waves in the U.S. Navy! After touring a German submarine in the early 1940s, young Raye set her sights on becoming an engineer. Little did she know sexism and racial inequality would challenge that dream every step of the way, even keeping her greatest career accomplishment a secret for decades. Through it all, the gifted mathematician persisted--finally gaining her well-deserved title in history: a pioneer who changed the course of ship design forever. The Girl With a Mind for Math: The Story of Raye Montague is the third book in a riveting educational series about the inspiring lives of amazing scientists. In addition to the illustrated rhyming tale, you'll find a complete biography, fun facts, a colorful timeline of events, and even a note from Montague herself!

This week we started looking at story elements in hopes that soon my students will be able to write their own story with well developed story elements. I decided to start with teaching them setting. The first day I introduce setting with this anchor chart. As I was going through the anchor chart, I went...

I was planning on making this set in March when the weather starts to change, but then I heard about the BIG SALE on Sunday and wanted to get this up in case you wanted to purchase for your groups. I love idioms and figurative language because it can bring some humor to the therapy […]

The free teacher planner will help you stay organized and prepared all year long. It even includes editable planning sheets and checklists!

Struggling readers often have difficulty making meaning while reading. Teaching students to use think marks to code their thinking helps. Read more and grab some freebies on this post.

Cultivate lifelong reading skills.

Gone are the days when I would fill/decorate the walls of my classroom with pre-made posters found in various stores, catalogs, etc… Now, students and parents come in to a room in August that has nothing but empty bulletin boards. Breathe. There is always colorful paper, and cute border, and sometimes even headers, however, they ... Read more

This week we read the story "The Dot" by Peter Reynolds. This is one of our stories from the Reading Street program but can also be purchased at Amazon. It is about a girl who is upset because she thinks she can't draw. With the help of her art teacher, she discovers she is a really great artist. For one of our activities, the students were given a small piece of construction paper and they were to cut out a circle to represent a dot. Then they were to make something out of it. This is how a few turned out! We did a little creative writing with this story as well. I wanted to have a way for the students to experience how the girl in the story must have felt when she tried to draw. I gave the students a step by step drawing activity. Some of the students told me it was hard, but I encouraged them not to give up like the girl in the story. All of them finished and all of them were GREAT!!Here is how a few turned out. CLICK HERE to download these writing activities If you follow Reading Street, here are free word cards with long vowel /ea/, and inflected endings /ier/ /ied/ /iest/ to go with Unit 4 Week 2 - "The Dot". CLICK HERE to download.

FREE Lesson Planning Ideas for the Five Senses. Teachers and Parents Save Time and Money Teaching Taste, Smell, Touch, See, Hear!

Fourth Grade Reading Comprehension Worksheets, Free Fourth Grade Reading Comprehension Worksheets, Fourth Grade Comprehension Worksheets, Free Fourth Grade Comprehension Worksheets

I don’t know what is more amazing; the fact that God created light, or light itself. Even though scientists know how light behaves, they don’t really know why. For day 1 in our Creation Story Book, we started with our memory verse, Genesis 1:1. We did 2 very basic art projects and our copy-work. First, we […]

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