STEM Friday – Page 5 – Booktalking #kidlit

Teaching STEM: Man on the Moon

How have astronauts and space travel changed since the early space program? Help K-5 students answer this essential question (and meet the Common Core State Standards) with the Teaching STEM lesson plans for this mentor text: Man on the Moon by Anastasia Suen (ATOS 2.2 / NC860L)

Unit Summary: Students will examine the essential question, “How have astronauts and space travel changed since the early space program?” As they listen to the book, students will notice what equipment and items astronauts use and think about how images in a book contribute to a better understanding of the text. They will view images from the current space program and compare the changes they see in them to the space program in its early days. Using a picture from the text, students will describe the sensations that might result from a splash down and then discuss the changes they have learned taking place in the space program by writing about them or comparing them in a discussion.

The Library Activity begins on page 92. The Collaborative Teacher Activity is on page 96.

Extension Activities (sample)

1. Choose an astronaut listed on the NASA website Have the students read about an astronaut and report on that person.

2. Teach a lesson on phases of the moon.

3. After reading the book, have the students write a short description of the main idea of the book. Use the phrase, “I am a technology specialist.. I know that _________.”

You can find more Teaching STEM lesson plans on the Teaching STEM blog

Build It

What keeps a bridge from falling down? Help K-5 students answer this essential question (and meet the Common Core State Standards) with the Teaching STEM lesson plans for this mentor text: Build It! by Tammy Enz (GRL Q / G740L)

Unit Summary: Students will examine the essential question, “What keeps a bridge from falling down?” In groups, students will search for and locate information related to the four major kinds of bridge supports— beams, arches, trusses, and suspension. They will complete a graphic organizer to explain how each of the four supports work to hold up bridges. Then they will use toothpicks or Popsicle sticks to practice forming arches or trusses and use that knowledge to plan and draw a design for a bridge of their own for their group.

The Library Activity begins on page 130. The Collaborative Teacher Activity is on page 132.

Extension Activities(sample)

1. Have the students do an interactive bridge building activity from PBS.

2. Investigate a cantilever bridge support and compare it with the BATS supports.

3. After reading the book, have the students write a short description of the main idea of the book. Use the phrase, “I am a engineer.. I know that _________.”

You can find more Teaching STEM lesson plans on the Teaching STEM blog

Multimedia Artist and Animator

How can technology be used to create art? Help K-5 students answer this essential question (and meet the Common Core State Standards) with the Teaching STEM lesson plans for this mentor text: Multimedia Artist and Animator by Matt Mullins (ATOS 4.9 690L)

Unit Summary: Students will examine the essential question, “How can technology be used to create art?” They will work as individuals or in pairs to explore using an image as their canvas and adding features that will become animated after completing their creation to their satisfaction. They will explain their choices by discussing them and then writing about them on a graphic organizer. They will then relate this activity to a job using art or animation. The students or pairs will save their work for the librarian to print.

The Library Activity begins on page 104. The Collaborative Teacher Activity is on page 106.

Extension Activities (sample)

1. Turn the art they created into a four comic panel and include text to go with it.

2. Have the students design a book cover that they might like their favorite book to have in place of the current one.

3. After reading the book, have the students write a short description of the main idea of the book. Use the phrase, “I am a technology specialist. I know that _________.”

You can find more Teaching STEM lesson plans on the Teaching STEM blog

Amazing Amusement Park Rides

What information is needed to design a roller coaster? Help K-5 students answer this essential question (and meet the Common Core State Standards) with the Teaching STEM lesson plans for this mentor text: Amazing Amusement Park Rides by Meish Goldish (ATOS 4.9 / IG880L)

Unit Summary: Students will examine the essential question, “What information is needed to design a roller coaster?” They will write down the statistics of the Steel Dragon coaster and then add their own statistics about a roller coaster they will design on the graphic organizer. Using the statistics, they will design and draw a roller coaster track and car as a prototype for an amusement park ride lasting two to three minutes. They will plan first on paper and decide on their statistics, which they will put on their graphic organizer. Then they will transfer their design ideas to the large drawing paper and label all the required statistics. Students will share their roller coaster designs with the class.

The Library Activity begins on page 122. The Collaborative Teacher Activity is on page 124.

Extension Activities(sample)

1. Look at pages 16–17 from the book. Use “The Crypt” ride to calculate the money that could be brought in for that ride using the assignment’s requirements, times, and fees.

2. Write a personal experience story about one of their favorite roller coasters.

3. After reading the book, have the students write a short description of the main idea of the book. Use the phrase, “I am a engineer.. I know that _________.”

You can find more Teaching STEM lesson plans on the Teaching STEM blog

Cool Engineering Activities for Girls

How can engineering help me solve problems? Help K-5 students answer this essential question (and meet the Common Core State Standards) with the Teaching STEM lesson plans for this mentor text: Cool Engineering Activities for Girls by Heather E. Schwartz (IG740L)

Cool engineering activities for girls

Unit Summary: Students will examine the essential question, “How can engineering help me solve problems?” Students will solve an actual engineering problem by designing and testing a paper airplane. They will test their products and have the opportunity to work in groups to redesign a second plane after examining the more successful plane designs. They will use the steps an engineer might follow to address the problem and design a solution, and then retest it.

The Library Activity begins on page 138. The Collaborative Teacher Activity is on page 140.

Extension Activities (sample)

1. Have the students identify a problem they have in their daily life and design an invention that would help solve that problem.

2. Have the students each make new airplanes and test them individually. Measure how far they fly and see if they have improved on their designs following the lesson.

3. After reading the book, have the students write a short description of the main idea of the book. Use the phrase, “I am a engineer. I know that _________.”

You can find more Teaching STEM lesson plans on the Teaching STEM blog.

Wired #lessonplans

Where does electricity come from? Help K-5 students answer this essential question (and meet the Common Core State Standards) with the Teaching STEM lesson plans for this mentor text: Wired by Anastasia Suen (ATOS 5.1 / 820L)

Unit Summary: Students will examine the essential question, “Where does electricity come from?” As you read the book, the students will identify and write the main idea for each spread. They will look up generators and read about them. Using the library resources and online materials, they will create a diagram of a generator and label it. Finally, students will design a flow chart leading from the generator diagram of where electricity goes when it leaves the generator and they’ll use their collected information to write about the entire process.

The Library Activity begins on page 111. The Collaborative Teacher Activity is on page 114.

Extension Activities (sample)

1. Explore other ways electricity is generated. Consider hydropower, solar power, tidal power, and wind power.

2. Bring in a guest speaker from the local power company.

3. After reading the book, have the students write a short description of the main idea of the book. Use the phrase, “I am a technology specialist. I know that _________.”

It’s STEM Friday! (STEM is Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)

You can find more Teaching STEM lesson plans on the Teaching STEM blog.

Rivers

Rivers
by Claire Llewellyn (Author)

Booktalk: Beginning readers can learn all about rivers in this level 4 reader.

Snippet:
The flowing river
The place where a river starts is called the source. From the source, a river flows downhill on its journey to the sea. The path the river takes is called its course.

It’s STEM Friday! (STEM is Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)

Computer Games Designer

Computer Games Designer
by Mark Featherstone (Author)

Booktalk: People young and old love playing computer games, but what goes into making them? From simple games created by one person, to big blockbusters made by a huge team, there is an amazing range of games. Find out whats involved in developing computer games, the tools and skills you need, and the difficulties of managing a complex process.

Snippet:
What does a games programmer do?
Programming is all about breaking everything down into smaller and more easily understandable parts. A program is like a machine: it is built out of many interlocking pieces. When you look at the whole problem, you cannot even begin to understand how you might tackle it, but if you look at just one small piece, it becomes easier.

It’s STEM Friday! (STEM is Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)

Whales (My First Discoveries)

Whales (My First Discoveries)
by Ute Fuhr (Author) and Raoul Sautai (Illustrator)

Booktalk: “See inside” the world of whales as you turn the transparent pages in this spiral bound book.

Snippet:
Of all the
animals on Earth,
whales are the biggest.

It’s STEM Friday! (STEM is Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)

Maker Faire

Maker Faire
by Samantha Roslund (Author) and Kristin Fontichiaro (Author)

Booktalk: Around the world, makers come together to share their ideas and inventions at Maker Faires.

Snippet: Maker Faires aren’t just for seeing what people have already made. There are many free or inexpensive hands-on activities that you can do. Some of these activities may involve working with power tools, making a craft, turning a power crank, or participating in a demonstration.

STEM Friday

It’s STEM Friday! (STEM is Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)