Integrated STEM Learning Jillian Introductions Marie Scilacci, Megan Tilton, Jillian Welch Kate Smith Elementary School www.washoeschools.net/katesmith

What is STEM? STEM is NOT… Simply building something Integration of all subjects, including literacy, art, SEL, social studies, etc. Hands-on, minds-on, student centered Everything! STEM is NOT… Simply building something Only reading content Subjects taught in isolation 10 min – Megan STEM = Science, Technology, Engineering, Math STEM Acronym Article Read 1st two paragraphs Read acronym rundown Discuss Read numbered bold headers Levels of integration chapter (from STEM Lesson Essentials book) Read “What Does Integration Mean?” p. 58 Discuss integration of all subjects Discuss levels of integration p. 73 Mention that multidisciplinary is the same as thematic All levels of integration are useful in different situations. Research shows that students need to see the connections between subjects to truly learn any concept. This is especially true for EL learners.

1st Grade Activity 10 min – Jillian Place animals around the room before session Marie reads - 1-2 min. Start with reading: Fur and Feathers p. 1-2 min. on directions 3 min. playing game/points 2-3 min. debrief – talk about game and extension activities

1st Grade Game Scoring These animals are worth 10 points if you found them… Camouflaged Butterfly Brown Rabbit Green Tree Gorilla Tan Lizard Bat These animals are worth 5 points if you found them… Grey Rabbit Red Tree Succulent Plant Colorful Bird Green Butterfly Colorful Lizard

3rd Grade Activity 10 min – Megan (might only make it through one round) 1 min. reading Hungry Coyote p. 5 (snowy picture, no rabbits) – p. 11 (Now Coyote…) 1-2 min. on directions 5 min. playing game 2-3 min. debrief – talk about game and extension activities Marie – Mention that we also have a kindergarten and second grade game available that are vertically aligned with similar science standards Discuss vertical alignment of activities (K and 2 have similar cards and ideas, 1st builds on K by looking at the adaptations needed to survive which is a link to the habitats in 2nd grade) Discuss use of realistic pictures rather than clipart

Integration Suggestions Across Grade Levels Science and Social Studies DBQs Field Trips – 1st and 2nd (any outdoor field trip), 3rd (Animal Ark), 4th (Donner State Park), 5th (any park near the river) Crosscutting Concepts 10 min We are happy to share any resources we have and most can be accessed on our website Jillian - DBQs – A tool to integrate literacy and content. Students analyze documents in order to answer questions and deepen understanding ultimately leading to a conclusive piece of writing where students use documents to support their writing. If you would like to learn more about this tool feel free to contact us or visit our school website. Jillian - Field Trips – 1st and 2nd (any outdoor field trip), 3rd (Animal Ark), 4th (Donner State Park), 5th (any park) – literacy is integrated into the field trip and holds the kids accountable while they are on the trip Megan – discuss how Crosscutting Concepts (cause and effect, patterning, stability and change, systems and system models) can go across subjects

Integration Suggestions Across Grade Levels Reading Close Reads/RAP/BAP Writing QFT (Question Formulation Technique) 5 min - Megan Megan - Talk about ways we integrate into reading groups and whole class reading (share Nat Geo book set and Jillian’s leveled book list) Megan - Teachers can make connections in reading groups with texts even if its not the current unit you are working on. (LLI) Marie – Close reads/RAP/BAP – there are a lot built that align to content standards as well Megan - Discuss culminating writing as a way to integrate DBQ or its own piece. Megan - Picture Perfect Science is a great series of teacher books that give examples of picture books that give science content, lessons are included and it is a great starting place for integrating. The picture books can be both whole class reads and/or reading group texts. Megan - Another technique to try is the QFT (speaking and listening and question formulation of course)

Integration Suggestions Across Grade Levels Narrative Writing – 1st (Constellation Stories), 2nd (Seed Stories), 6th (Water Cycle) 5 min – Marie (including next slide) Narrative Writing – 1st (Constellation Stories), 2nd (Seed Stories), 6th (Water Cycle)

Integration Suggestions Across Grade Levels Narrative Writing –2nd (Seed Stories)

Integration Suggestions Across Grade Levels Word Walls 3 min - Marie Word Walls Discuss adding a visual to each word to support early learners and EL students

Integration Suggestions Across Grade Levels Word Walls 2 min - Marie Word Walls

Resources Bozeman Science Videos STEM/PBL Website – wcsdstem.wordpress.com STEM Lesson Essentials by Jo Anne Vasquez Picture Perfect Science series Uncovering Student Ideas in Science series by Page Keeley Writing in Science by Betsy Rupp Fulwiler NSTA Membership Units – 1st (Space), 2nd (Matter), 3rd (Weather) 5 min We are willing to share units if you are interested with the knowledge that we are always making revisions – email us or visit our website for some These are very solid resources you can use to start integrating. Questions

Resources You can access any of the materials we referenced today on our school website at www.washoeschools.net/katesmith

Please Contact us if you Need Anything or Have any Questions or Would Like to Come Observe and Chat! Jillian Welch – JWelch@washoeschools.net Megan Tilton – MTilton@washoeschools.net Marie Scilacci – Marie.Scilacci@washoeschools.net