What is STEM? STEM is… An interdisciplinary approach to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math coupled with real-world learning opportunities that develop creativity, problem solving, communication, and critical thinking. What does STEM mean in Kindergarten? Interdisciplinary Units of Study which include many Science and Math Standards Science Kits where students complete hands on activities related to Science and Math Compass Odyssey, SMART boards, I-pad games/Activities Use of Hands-on Math games and Interactive White Board Games Centers which include Legos, Kinex, blocks, Gears, various manipulatives for use of problem solving strategies “Play is the highest form of research.” -Albert Einstein

Reading Comprehension While reading with your child, encourage your child to look at the pictures and think about what is happening in the story. Stop reading periodically and ask your child to predict what might happen next in the story. After you are finished reading, ask your child to list the characters in the story. Have them name their favorite character and answer why they chose this one. Have your child re-tell the story from beginning to end. Encourage them to include many details from the story and to list events in the correct sequence. Ask your child to talk about their favorite part of the story. Have them tell you why they chose this part as their favorite. Ask your child to answer the question: “Does this story remind you of anything that has happened to you or any person in your life?”

English Language Arts Identify the front cover, back cover and title page of a book. Name the author and illustrator of a story. Identify the following letters and sounds: Mm, Pp, Cc, Ff, Ll, Aa, Bb, Hh, Dd Identify the following word wall words: I, me, can, a, see, the, he, she, go, to, yes, no, is, are, like, on, look, and

Science and Social Studies Demonstrate scientific inquiry skills. Identify the human body structure and functions. Classify objects by observable properties. Explain rules, laws, and consequences. Identify qualities of good citizenship. Summarize rules of authority figures.

Math Recognize numerals and quantities to 10. Count with one-to-one correspondence to 10. Classify, count, and sort by attributes in categories. Identify and describe two-dimensional shapes: square, circle, triangle, rectangle, and hexagon. Compare numbers by identifying greater than, less than, or equal to in a group of objects. Compare numbers between 1 and 10 presented in written numbers.

Websites For Extra Practice abcya.com starfall.com funbrain.com rif.org/kids/readingplanet kidsnationalgeographic.com coolmath.com

Thanks so much for coming tonight!