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 21st 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 ElementaryCristin Eurice-George, Willards ElementarySusan Jones, Fruitland PrimaryNicole 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?