Integrating content through literature STEMifying Storybooks

STEM: A Review The State of Maryland’s Definition: STEM education is an approach to teaching and learning that integrates the content and skills of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. STEM Standards of Practice guide STEM instruction by defining the combination of behaviors, integrated with STEM content, which is expected of a proficient STEM student. These behaviors include engagement in inquiry, logical reasoning, collaboration, and investigation. The goal of STEM education is to prepare students for post-secondary study and the 21 st century workforce.

STEM: A Review The STEM Standards of Practice: Learn and Apply Rigorous Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Content Integrate Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Content Interpret and Communicate STEM Information Engage in Inquiry Engage in Logical Reasoning Collaborate as a STEM Team Apply Technology Appropriately

STEM: A Review The STEM Standards of Practice are NOT objectives, and should be used as guidelines when planning/assessing a STEM unit. The content is WHAT you teach, and STEM is HOW you teach it. Transdisciplinary instruction integrates concepts from different content areas to answer a question or solve a real-world problem.

STEM in Your Classroom 1.Start with the content (math, science, social studies, reading, etc.) 2.Consider the components necessary for your students to understand the topic or concept. 3.Use other content areas and activities that can be naturally integrated into that topic. 4.Take a broad view of the integrated contents/activities and come up with a real-world problem to solve or an overarching question for the students to answer.

Starting with Literature

Early STEM Literacy Educational psychology researchers developed an approach for teaching science in elementary school by integrating science with language and literacy skills. Reading is the centerpiece of intellectual development in all disciplines. It is absolutely necessary to integrate reading and language arts with the increased involvement of students in the STEM fields. American Society of Engineering Education 2012

STEMifying a Storybook BOOK English/Language Arts: Reading Processes Informational Literary Writing Language Listening Speaking Social Studies: Skills and Processes Political Science Peoples of the Nation/World Geography Economics History Science: Skills and processes Earth/Space Environmental Life Physics Environmental Math: Processes Number Algebra Geometry Measurement Statistics Probability Develop an overarching question or real world problem the students can work together to solve. Engineering: Structures Engineering Design Process (EDP) Fine Arts: Dance Music Theater Visual Arts

When the Leaf Blew In Written by: Steve Metzger STEMified by: Diana Churchman, Chipman Elementary Cristin Eurice-George, Willards Elementary Susan Jones, Fruitland Primary Nicole Williams, Westside Primary

STEMifying a Storybook When the Leaf Blew In: Design a farm that would stop the problem of the leaves interfering with the animals English/Language Arts: Cause and Effect Writing Communicating Sequencing Social Studies: Map skills Farming as part of the economy Science: Seasons Animals: wild vs. domestic Pets vs. farm animals Leaf sorting and observing Leaf seasonal cycle gravity Math: Counting Graphing Perimeter Measurement (smallest to largest) More/less/equal Composing/decomposing Engineering: Create a leaf catcher to stop the leaves from falling Fine Arts: Song Act it out Draw/paint favorite animal Leaves to create animals Diorama Leaf rubbings

Your Turn In your groups, choose a storybook you would like to STEMify. Use either one of the templates provided to quickly list some ideas in each of the content areas which tie into your story. Come up with an overarching question or real- word problem which the characters or students may encounter.

Discussion What was the easiest part of this process? What was the most difficult part of this process? How do students benefit from this approach? Can all books be STEMified? What questions, comments, or concerns do you have with a STEMifying approach?