The first big holiday in the school year is a big deal! Halloween is one of my favorite holidays, so I always like to do fun — but still very academic — activities to capitalize on the students’ excitement. This Halloween activity & challenge fits the bill: Creature Catcher! You may have seen this called a […]
This Halloween STEM activity is perfect to keep students engaged with brain-busting fun that doesn’t break the bank!
Halloween Activity & STEM Challenge: Bone Bridge® Read More »
Kids have the worst time trying to concentrate on school the day of Halloween — and it’s even worse the day after! You’ll need something extra engaging for them in order to keep their brains working at max capacity. Wouldn’t you know it, I’ve got just the Halloween activity: Wings Wanted! Premise: This is essentially a
Halloween Activity & STEM Challenge: Bat Wings Wanted Read More »
This past week, I found myself in a YouTube rabbit hole. Has that ever happened to you? You go to watch one video on YouTube and the next thing you know, it’s 3-hours later and you’re still watching, but something so wholly unrelated to what you started with that you couldn’t explain the path you
YouTube Resource Round-Up: Videos for Teachers Read More »
In friendly conversation, people sometimes ask what I do. When I tell them one of the ways I earn income is by creating and selling lesson plans online, a common response goes something like, “Wow … that seems kind of lazy for the teachers to just buy lesson plans. I always thought that was part
In Defense of the Lazy Teacher Read More »
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
Back to School STEM Challenge: Apples A-head 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 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 »
Spring is HERE! I am always happy to move on to a new season, because each new season provides inspiration for STEM challenges! I’ve got some super-engaging & fun ways to bust through that spring fever — five collaborative, super-charged critical thinking & problem-solving STEM activities: Nice Nest, Egg-hanced, Basket Bounce, Carrot Carriage, and Bean
Easter & Spring STEM Challenges Read More »
