Engineers build things to solve problems. What can the kindergarten students build to help Big Smelly Bear? Back scratchers, of course! The students worked in teams to imagine, plan, create, and improve a back scratcher. To be considered stemtastic, the back scratcher had to reach the middle of the student's back, and had to be strong and sturdy.
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Now that the student's drums have been created and tested, the kindergarten students are creating digital presentations to share their knowledge. They are using an app called ShowMe. In the app, the students are adding pictures of themselves with their drums, text to describe their learning, and finally, they will add a narrative to describe the process and their learning.
The kindergarten students were challenged to create two drums that produce a high and a low sound. As the students worked in pairs, they predicted which shape and size of tube would produce the higher sound, and which would produce the lower sound. They drew their predictions, created, decorated, and finally tested their drums.
The students were introduced to the iPads recently. They will be using them to create digital presentations of their work. The objective of this lesson was for students to understand how to care for the iPads, understand the expectations, and to familiarize themselves with the function of the device's buttons and switches. After the lesson, the students wrote or drew about the new expectations, and then explored all of the fun apps installed.
Last week, the kindergarten classes began exploring sound. The students learned that sound is created when something vibrates. They observed a meter stick vibrating, and were able to identify and explain what it means to vibrate. The classes also observed as a tuning fork was struck and then placed into a pan of water. Their reaction was priceless as they watched the vibrations splash the water out of the pan. The pictures below show the students working hard as they explore other vibrations.
We are so lucky to have such amazing tools in the STEM Lab! Wooden blocks are the perfect tool for students to practice and refine their spatial thinking skills. Strong math skills in kindergarten provide the necessary foundation needed to succeed in STEM related disciplines. Engaging in spatial activities and acquiring spatial language helps prepare students for math and science.
This week, the students continued to cooperate as they used the smaller shapes to build and create larger shapes. In the pictures you can see how they discuss, problem solve, and work together to successfully complete the building challenges. As the students composed the shapes, they discussed shape terms, dimensional adjectives, and spatial features. Have you noticed a theme? In the upcoming weeks, the kindergarten students will begin working on group projects. It is very important that they practice working together and sharing ideas. In the cooperation stations, they are able to apply what they have learned about cooperation. They begin by making a group plan, they take turns, listen to each other, and have one project at the end of the station. It is hard, but they are doing their best to cooperate!
Cooperation is so much fun! This week, the kindergarten students continued to practice cooperating as they work in the STEM Lab. Our discussion led the students to understand that when you work nicely with your friends, it is more fun, and you can create something you couldn't have created on your own. This concept became clear to the students when they used droppers and colorful water. Each student was given a specific color, and could only use that color. They practiced using the dropper for a short time, and then had their colors "cooperate"! Each group listened as I asked for the colors to mix. The class had to take turns adding their colors. It was so hard to wait, but when it was their turn, what a great visual.! Some students knew that new color would be made, and others were in awe as a new color was made before their eyes. The students all did a wonderful job using their tools, taking turns, following directions, and having fun!
To begin the year in the STEM lab, the kindergarten students are practicing cooperation. The students will be working on many group projects this year, and it is sometimes difficult to work with others. This week we are focusing on taking turns. Each group of three students will be given five Lego mini figures that are taken apart. They will take turns putting all of the figures back together using cooperation. As the groups work together they will be sorting the pieces by type, problem solving, and improving their decision making skills.
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AuthorMrs. Houseman-STEM Specialist Archives
May 2017
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