Embedded Files
Our school has partnered with Project Lead the Way to bolster our STEM curriculum. They provide us with curriculum with proven results and it is evidence based. These modules are utilized by teachers to enrich their curriculum and also used in our STEM rotation. As a team, we have agreed to complete at least one STEM project per grading period along with our STEM rotation. We also are continuing to integrate STEM principles into our everyday instruction.
The new Employability Skills Standards have helped us focus on the skills our students need. We have included these standards into our curriculum this school year.
2.1 Curriculum Integration
2.1 Curriculum Integration
Our school has partnered with Project Lead the Way to bolster our STEM curriculum. They provide us with curriculum with proven results and it is evidence based. These modules are utilized by teachers to enrich their curriculum and also used in our STEM rotation. Project Lead the Way provides evidence based curriculum. Every student participates in these lessons.
This is an exemplary example of a Second Grade Unit plan. Teachers utilize this format and others to assemble their plans. To be successful and evidence based these lessons require our teachers to (1) establish where students are in their learning; (2) decide on appropriate teaching strategies and interventions; and (3) monitor student progress. The units have to build up the scaffolding that the students are going to need to complete these tasks.
Additional Documentation sample lesson plan.pdfBelow are assorted STEM lessons that we have completed. To be successful these lessons require our teachers to (1) establish where students are in their learning; (2) decide on appropriate teaching strategies and interventions; and (3) monitor student progress. The units have to build up the scaffolding that the students are going to need to complete these tasks.
Egg Drop Challenge
Students are tasked with engineering an apprentice that will protect a egg from a fall. The finished project can not be larger than a shoe box and also has a written lab response to document the process.
Ice Cube Insulators
Our Community Partners at McDonald's provide each student a Big Mac Box. The students are then tasked with engineering a insulation system to keep their ice cube from melting. The students also present there process to their peers.
Building Bridges
Students are given the challenge to construct the strongest bridge possible with various materials. Depending on the grade level the materials vary.
Rockets
Students are provided instructions on how rockets work. They are then tasked with the construction/modification of rockets.
2.2 Computer Science
2.2 Computer Science
Our Project Lead the Way Launch program has a computer science component. All students kindergarten through fifth grade participate in this program.
2.3 Employability Skills
2.3 Employability Skills
"Senate Enrolled Act 297 states that not later than July 1, 2019, each school within a school corporation shall include interdisciplinary employability skills standards established by IDOE, in conjunction with the Department of Workforce Development, and approved by the State Board of Education, in the school's curriculum." - DOE website
These are the standards that we share and follow.
This attached lesson plan/teacher guide highlights part of our computer science/employability curriculum that 100% of our students participate in 2 -3 times weekly. This lesson plan includes several employability standards.
Additional Documentation sample PLTW lesson plan.pdf2.4 Equity
2.4 Equity
Our students receive support from our Special Education staff (3 teachers and 7 teacher assistants), our ESL specialist, Adult and Child services, and other services for our co-op. Our co-op, Earlywood Educational Services allows us to provide assistive technology and other supports small school systems typically can not.
The lesson plan attached to the right lists built in accommodations. Our small class sizes allow teachers to build these accommodations into their daily lesson plans.
Additional Documentation Nest Building w/accomidations.docx2.5 Assessments
2.5 Assessments
Our teams are asked to plan PBL and STEM lessons that can show growth through data. This example by the third grade is a month by month plan that shows the activities and the standards covered.
Monthly 3rd Grade STEM Outline.docxAdditional Documentation to illustrate the various assessments all teachers gather data from. The document also shares the frequency of our data meetings. The teachers meet 4 times a year to plan and form STEM, math, and language arts groupings. This includes roles assigned during group work. These meetings involve the principal, data coach, special education staff, and classroom teachers. This data is also used when assigning RTI, class rosters, and possible grade level retention.
Report abuse