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 2 Read More »
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
STEM Challenges: Your Role as Facilitator, part 1 Read More »
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
5 Keys to STEM Challenge Success Read More »
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
Intro to STEM Challenges Read More »
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
Get out of Post-it Purgatory Read More »
Are you guilty? – of being a scientific method side-stepper? – a latter-steps neglecter? – all flash, but no bang? I’m a recovering latter-steps neglecter, and I want you to know there is hope & the grass is so much greener on the other side! Background I spent most of my ten years teaching 5th grade.
Scientific Method: Neglect & Regrets Read More »
Part 3: Drafting This is the third in a four-part series. Click to see Part 1: Brainstorming. Click to see Part 2: Outlining. I used to assume I didn’t need to model drafting paragraphs from outlines with students in grades 5th and up. They’d been writing paragraphs for 3+ years at that point, so they surely
Is Your Writing a Shack or a Mansion?_part 3 Read More »
Step 2: Outlines This is the second in a four-part series. Click to see Part 1: Brainstorming. Just as you need to create blueprints for a home, one has to plan the framework of an essay. Because I often teach planning and outlining before intro/opening and conclusion/closing paragraphs (OP and CP, respectively), I have students
Is Your Writing a Shack or a Mansion?_part 2 Read More »
How many houses do you suppose you have seen in your lifetime? Would you estimate the time you have spent inside houses to be considerable? If you close your eyes, can you vividly see the details of your dream home? Can’t you almost feel the front door handle in the palm of your hand? Yet, if
Is Your Writing a Shack or a Mansion?_part 1 Read More »
Baby or college student? Professors suggest there isn’t much difference. Recently, several articles have been popping up (like this one) in which colleges or employers decry the lack of resilience in their adult students or employees. Years of ever-increasing helicopter parenting and unconditional self-esteem building has resulted in adults so shielded from any sort of
Weak-Willed and Risk-Averse: STEMming the Tide of Fragile Cowards Read More »
