My STEM Units

Friday, January 24, 2014

STEM@home: Technology

STEM, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, is a term used by teachers to encompass lessons and projects which include these subjects. STEM units usually start with a problem.  The teacher guides the students through discovery and experimenting to find solutions.  STEM does not just happen at school. In fact, STEM can be very effective, engaging, and fun at home.  


Over the last few weeks, we have been looking at the various aspects of STEM and how you can encourage your child at home.

Do you feel like computers are taking over and all the jobs in the future will require computer skills?  Do you ever feel like your child knows computers better than you do?  Let's face it; they probably do.  They are digital natives.  Computers are a first language for them.  For us, we learned a typewriter first.  Or, maybe we learned on a word-processor.  We remember the days when computers were for research papers and not for digital storytelling with video and music.  But, since computers are a part of our students' daily lives, we need to support our students.

How do I support my child?  


Chances are, if you have a smartphone, you probably have an Angry Birds or Minecraft app.  That's fine.  In fact, this year, our high school students used Angry Birds to design a life-sized trebuchet (type of catapult) to launch pumpkins across a field.  STEM Club students will use Minecraft to design a dam that will replicate the Miner Flat Dam on the reservation.  But, what about other apps?  There are literally thousands.  How is a parent to choose?



The easiest way is to search using the words "best apps for education".  Many apps offer a freemium version.  Freemium refers to apps that are free to download but require payment for special options.  Think: Candy Crush Saga.  You might have downloaded it for free but then were tempted to spend $1.99 to buy a candy bomb or more lives.  Many math apps are freemiums.  The beginner levels are free and then as you advance through the grades, they will charge you.  I encourage you to try the free versions.  You may discover that your child is not motivated by that app.  It happens.  They might not like the graphics or the "awards" they earn for passing levels.  No loss.  You didn't pay for it anyway.  But don't stop there.  Go online and search for another math app that they might like.  If you find one that truly engages them and is educationally sound, you might want to spend the $3.00 to upgrade for the next 5 levels.

There are just as many (if not more) apps for English Language Arts.  There are apps that have the child trace the letters.  Some flash sight words on the screen.  Many are e-readers.  E-readers are books online.  There are many different types of e-readers.  Some are simply words on a page.  This is similare to Kindle.  Many have pictures.  And even others have the option to have the page read to your child.  Again, download a few and see which ones hold your child's attention. 



If you have an android phone or device, you can start your search here.

If you have an iPad or iPhone, you can start your search here.

For Math apps, click here.

For Science apps, click here.

For Reading apps, click here.

Let's start a discussion.  What are some of your favorite apps?


STEM@home is a series focusing on bring STEM activities into your home.  Read on and experience STEM@home today:

STEM@home: Science - Watching Science on TV
STEM@home: Science - Exploring national parks
STEM@home: Technology - Using apps to support your child
STEM@home: Math - Playing dice and card games to support math skills

Friday, January 17, 2014

Arizona Sample Questions

Arizona is a part of the Race to the Top initiative and hence will be taking a new, online assessment this year.  After years of multiple choice, "fill in the bubble" assessments, the digital test will seem like a whole new venture.

 The standards are different (AzCCR), the format is different (online), and the way to answer is completely different!  Although there is likely to be some multiple choice, there is more drag-and-drop, sliders, online calculators, etc.

Because the assessment is so novel, ADE has released sample test questions.  The sample questions are available in multiple formats.

The first format is "student version".  Students may click on the "assessments" to practice and to get a feel for the format and features, such as drag-and-drop.  Teachers may wish to do this whole class, especially with a mimio.  Teachers may also like to "assign" the assessment to students.  Either way, allowing students to see the new assessment would help them get over the shock factor.

This picture shows a drag-and-drop question.  The text on the left is longer than the screen size.  The student may scroll using the slider in the middle.  Note that the question is asking about Caribou, Moose, and Both.  To reference the Moose passage, students need to click on the tab at the bottom. 

This screenshot shows a task requiring a student to compare two texts.  Again, you can see that the student can toggle back and forth between texts by using the tab at the bottom.  The students can also access the rubric.  The instructions state that students should take notes before selecting "Go on". 

This is a screenshot of the very next page.  For students familiar with typing online, this should not be earth-shattering.  However, for students who rarely type, this might be intimidating. 

Some students may be asked to highlight directly in the text.  Notice the prompt on Part B of this question from 11th grade. 

Another format is "teacher version".  The teacher version is much like the student version, however it has tabs on the top.  When you initially open the assessment, you are defaulted to the "Question" tab.  Teachers may then click on the "Rationale" tab and see the correct answers.  The standards tab is self-explanatory.  The most interesting tab is the "Metadata" tab.  Here is an example from 3rd Grade ELA:
You can see that questions are worth a variety of point values.  In fact, on the Math assessments, students may score points for correct rationale, but incorrect answers. 

How to View Your Sample Assessment


Go to Arizona's new page devoted to the new assessment: http://www.azed.gov/assessment/new/



Scroll down and click on the tab for Arizona Sample Items.

You will see a list of available sample assessments.  ADE is creating more assessments to be updated as soon as they become available.  Even if you do not see your grade level represented here, it would be beneficial to see what is required of other grades. 

Thursday, January 16, 2014

STEM@home: Science

STEM, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, is a term used by teachers to encompass lessons and projects which include these subjects. STEM units usually start with a problem.  The teacher guides the students through discovery and experimenting to find solutions.  STEM does not just happen at school. In fact, STEM can be very effective, engaging, and fun at home.  


Over the last few weeks, we have been looking at the various aspects of STEM and how you can encourage your child at home.

What are you doing this weekend?


The kids have a 3-day weekend and you are probably itching to go somewhere.  Why not make it a Science Weekend!?

In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, all 401 national parks and monuments will waive their entrance fee. 


Arizona is home to the following parks:



  • Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
  • Chiricahua National Monument
  • Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
  • Grand Canyon National Park
  • Lake Mead National Recreation Area
  • Montezuma Castle National Monument
  • Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
  • Petrified Forest National Park
  • Pipe Spring National Monument
  • Saguaro National Park
  • Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
  • Tonto National Monument
  • Tumacacori National Historical Park
  • Tuzigoot National Monument
  • Walnut Canyon National Monument
  • Wupatki National Monument

  • Most national parks and monuments offer a free Junior Ranger program.  The Junior Ranger program is a fun way for children to learn about the science of the national park.  Simply go to the ranger station or museum when you enter the park.  Notify a ranger that your child would like to be a junior ranger.  They will give you a booklet and a pencil.  Some activities require the child to sit still and observe nature; making drawings of the plants and animals they can see.  Some activities are like treasure hunts.  As you explore the park as a family, be looking for clues to the questions in the booklet.  When your child has completed the book, return it to the ranger station.  Some parks have a big pomp and circumstance and officially swear-in your child as Junior Ranger.  Some simply give your child a plastic ranger badge.  Either way, it's highly motivating to children. 

    Petrified Forest


    Petrified Forest is the closest national park to the White Mountains.  Even if you have visited there in the past, I encourage you to go again.  Petrified Forest recently received more land;  4,265 acres to be exact.  Researchers have found rare dinosaur fossils on the land and say it contains much more.  If going to the Petrified Forest, check out their Junior Ranger program online





    Flagstaff

    If you are interested in going a little further from home, Flagstaff is a great location.  Flagstaff is the gateway to the Grand Canyon.  It is also home to the Lowell Observatory.  They will be debuting a new event, called "Black Holes" on Saturday. 
    This exhibit was developed by educators and scientists at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA). Its interactive stations address a number of questions, such as: What is a black hole? Where are black holes? How do we find black holes if they are really black? What would happen if you fell into a black hole?





     You can help your student gain more background knowledge in Science by doing activities at home.  This weekend, how about going outside to learn more about Science; together. 


    STEM@home is a series focusing on bring STEM activities into your home.  Read on and experience STEM@home today:

    STEM@home: Science - Watching Science on TV
    STEM@home: Science - Exploring national parks
    STEM@home: Technology - Using apps to support your child
    STEM@home: Engineering- Using Legos, K'Nex, and GoldieBlox to design solutions to common problems
    STEM@home: Math - Playing dice and card games to support math skills

    Friday, January 10, 2014

    STEM@home




    Is your student always asking questions? Why is the sky blue? How does our TV work? Where does our drinking water come from? As a parent, there are many different ways to respond. One way is to investigate the answers together in a way that encourages your student to think like a scientist.

    STEM, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, is a term used by teachers to encompass lessons and projects which include these subjects. STEM units usually start with a problem.  The teacher guides the students through discovery and experimenting to find solutions.  STEM does not just happen at school. In fact, STEM can be very effective, engaging, and fun at home. 

    Over the next few weeks, we will be looking at the various aspects of STEM and how you can encourage your child at home.



    Science@home

    Although there are many ways to explore science at home, TV is probably the easiest because it helps build background knowledge.  Background knowledge is a term that teachers use to refer to what students already know about a subject before the teacher begins to explain it in depth.  For instance, if a teacher were to do a lesson on quantum physics, students would need to know about algebra.

    How do I help my child?

    You can help your child build background knowledge in two ways.  One way is to flip through the channels until you find something sciency (I'm declaring that a new word).  Given cable and satellite services, there is bound to be a science program on at any given time.

    Another way to help your child is to find specific programs.  What are your students interests?  Bugs?  Outer-space?  Mechanics?  The world of science is broken into three main specialties: Life, Earth, and Physical.  Life Science encompasses everything from human life, to animals, and even plant life.  Earth Science revolves around our planet and the universe.  Finally, Physical Science explains how and why things move.  If your child loves making her toy cars go down a ramp, chances are that she will enjoy shows like "How It's Made" and "How Do They Do It".

    What science programs are on TV?  


    Many channels provide at least one science program.  Some channels, such as The Discovery Channel, provide more.  Some of the more common channels and their programs include:

     That last channel probably through you for a loop.  Turner Classic Movies?  Science?  In the month of January, TCM is broadcasting "Science in the Movies" on Friday nights.  Click on the link to be directed to a page with the lineup of the movies and their showtimes.  For instance, last week the channel featured movies about Madam Curie.

    So, tonight, pop some popcorn, curl up with a blanket, and learn about science with your child, at home.



    STEM@home is a series focusing on bring STEM activities into your home.  Read on and experience STEM@home today:

    STEM@home: Science - Watching Science on TV
    STEM@home: Science - Exploring national parks
    STEM@home: Technology - Using apps to support your child
    STEM@home: Math - Playing dice and card games to support math skills