Engagement is key, while teaching 32 curious 4th graders at a Science and Arts charter school! My students come from all backgrounds and areas of Caldwell, Idaho. The area is mostly rural. However, they are excited to learn and apply STEAM in the classroom, even though they come from various backgrounds. I have many that come from very big families and school is a time for them to be independent and celebrate who they are apart from their big family, while exploring their natural curiosities. I also have many that come from lower income homes, where opportunities may be limited, but abound in the classroom. Regardless of their backgrounds, my 4th graders are very fond of cooperatively learning, exploring together, being creative and experimenting!
With my students coming from rural areas and diverse backgrounds, I would like to give them opportunities to experience STEAM through interactive and fun projects.
As these opportunities become available to my students, they can be used as a gateway for engagement and development of future passions!
My Project
K'NEX and LEGO education sets let students build replicas of real world machines and buildings, in order to gain understanding of the principles that make them work. The K'NEX Renewable Energy set will generate electricity to make models operate, as students experiment with renewable energy systems. The K'NEX Thrill Rides Set allows each child to build big amusement parks right inside of our classroom. The LEGO Community Sets are designed to be flexible, cross-curriculum tools that ignite curiosity and integrate easily into classrooms. This LEGO set will get us started on that path!
All of these kits will strengthen hand-eye coordination, use fine motor skills, enhance problem solving skills and spatial awareness, all while exercising the imagination!
My hopes are to begin building my classroom STEAM supplies and put my 4th grade students on the path towards a fundamental understanding of STEAM subjects!
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