I’ve mentioned before, I hate ice-breakers so much! I acknowledge they’re hard to avoid, but I prefer finding interesting alternatives to interviewing you partner and reporting to the class. One I think is a lot of fun for back-to-school is Apples A-head — get-it? A-head! hahahaha! I love a punny title! It’s a STEM challenge combined with […]
Spotlight: August 2016
You might have noticed the “Spotlight” tab in my menu above. Each month, I’ll be highlighting something special, and when the time comes to switch out that page (toward the middle of each month), I’ll transfer it to the regular blog posts. Here’s the spotlight from August 2016: This month, I’ve launched a new […]
Back-to-School STEM Challenges
Yay! The time has finally come for me to share my BTS STEM Challenges! I wrote all about them as a guest post on Hojo’s Teaching Adventures blog this month. Check them out! CLICK HERE for BTS AWESOMENESS!
Back-to-School Ice Breaker
BTS Ice Breaker, grades 4 -8 I have a confession to make: I hate ice breakers, and I have always hated ice breakers. When I see those dreaded words at the top of a meeting agenda, it sends an icy chill down my spine — apropos to its name I guess! Always desperate to escape […]
STEM Challenge Materials: Get ’em FREE or Get ’em CHEAP!
It’s time to talk — or sing — materials! Watch the video embedded below, and that will make a whole lot more sense! However, if you prefer to read, you’ll find the video transcribed at the end of this post. (I cannot wait until I get 100 subscribers so I can set custom thumbnails. The […]
STEM Challenges: Your Role as Facilitator, part 2
This is part 2 of your role as facilitator (for part 1, click here). Below you’ll find my “Dos and Don’ts” for what to do after the students are done building. The video offers full details, and there is a written summary below. However, if you prefer to read, you’ll find the video transcribed at the […]
STEM Challenges: Your Role as Facilitator, part 1
An important aspect of running great STEM challenges is you! Your teaching philosophy probably already leans away from “sage on the stage” if you’re drawn to using STEM challenges, but facilitating takes practice, reflection, and more practice! Ever caught yourself wondering if you’re running your STEM challenges well? Below you’ll find my “DOs and DON’Ts” for […]
5 Keys to STEM Challenge Success
I’ve been giving some thought to what the most important keys are to any successful STEM challenge. I’ve summarized my thoughts below, and the video you see here explores each key in greater detail. However, if you prefer to read, you’ll find the video transcribed at the end of this post. Key 1: Criteria & Constraints […]
Intro to STEM Challenges
I’ve been working on creating a YouTube channel for the last couple of weeks, and I’ve just posted my first video! Well, I guess it’s the second if you count my Trello tutorial, but this is the first with my face in view. 🙂 It’s definitely harder than I anticipated, but it’s getting easier with […]
Get out of Post-it Purgatory
Are you a TpT seller or just someone with a LOT on your to-do list? I know I’m not alone. Thousands, if not millions, share my post-it-note-stacks-of-notebooks-hastily-scratched-paper-scrap-notes-to-self chaos. There’s a lot going on, and there are constant lists, ideas, and inspiration striking at all times of the day. Do you ever get that déjà vu sensation when you’re planning […]
