My students are from a small, neighborhood school at the base of the beautiful Boise foothills. My school has a very supportive community which helps to contribute to student achievement. My fourth graders are eager learners and they are excited to start a new year! As I look over the curriculum and the year ahead, I've set several goals for the class. One goal, in particular, is to be very mindful of my planning and instruction while integrating creative learning and the use of hands-on tools. Students need to be challenged and involved in a variety of ways, as books aren't the only resource for learning.
My role in the classroom has shifted over the years and has led me to think more and more outside the box.
The future has opened up with the continued advancement in technology and the integration of science, engineering, and mathematics and I need to prepare my students accordingly. I like to bring several types of engaging activities into the classroom to give my students ample opportunities to explore problem-solving and critical thinking.
My Project
As a teacher, I've seen educational trends come and go. Some stand the test of time, while others, although filled with good intentions, unfortunately, fail. Some, however, make a huge, meaningful impact that changes the trajectory for success. STEM education, through project-based learning, is here to stay, as it affects the world we currently live in.
I'd like to introduce STEM, through chain reaction activities, into the classroom as a starting point for creating our own chain reaction machines.
We will learn about the various biomes in our state and the animals that inhabit them. Through a project-based learning approach, the students will create a machine to safely "trap" an animal and relocate it to its proper biome. Having these various chain reaction activities in the classroom will help students to emulate a creative, working contraption while understanding the elements of STEM education.
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