Each day I instill in my students the importance of being problem solvers! I remind them that they are capable of identifying problems and have the tools to creatively come up with solutions. This is a valuable life skill. I want my 1st graders to begin to build the confidence and perseverance they need to solve problems. Whether that is a math problem, engineering problem or a real world problem that needs a solution. I want my students to begin to see problems as opportunities to use creative, critical thinking skills to learn.
My Project
By giving my students access to some great resources like Fairy Tale STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) challenges, I hope to instill in them a passion for tackling and trying their best to try to solve problems. The Fairy Tale STEM challenges will allow kids to engineer happier endings to fairy tales—as they can design a house that can’t be blown down, construct a bridge that keeps 3 goats safe from the troll and build a chair even Goldilocks can’t break! These kits will help children discover the STEM in their favorite fairy tales and inspire them to explore each challenging situation until they find a solution! Many times students think that if they don’t get the correct answer the first time that they are not smart. I want students to realize that they often can learn more when they fail than when they succeed.
As a teacher, one of my many jobs is to begin to remove the stigma of failure.
The KEVA Brain Builders from MindWare will also challenge my students to turn 2-dimensional diagrams into 3-dimensional reality. The Brain Builders also help students build perseverance through problem solving. My students will get a chance to manipulate the KEVA planks to successfully duplicate the balance, proportion, composition and geometry featured on each card. As each build becomes more challenging, patience and confidence is gained through trial and error. I want my students to learn the true definition of FAIL in my class: First Attempt In Learning. Children need to see that failure is just a small learning opportunity in their education that is going to help them along their journey of becoming a lifelong learner.
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