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Our 1st Grade STEM program builds upon the foundational skills introduced in Kindergarten, fostering a deeper understanding of STEM concepts and encouraging students to become creative problem-solvers. We continue to emphasize hands-on learning, collaboration, and critical thinking, while introducing more complex and engaging projects.Â
Click above to be taken to a summary of the the 1st Grade Curriculum.
Websites & Apps:
Code.org (K-5 section): Continues to be a great resource with age-appropriate coding activities. Look for their "Hour of Code" activities and beginner coding courses.
PBS Kids Games: Still relevant, with games that reinforce STEM concepts through play. Look for games featuring popular characters that align with 1st-grade curriculum themes.
National Geographic Kids: Offers engaging content about animals, nature, and science, now with slightly more complex articles and videos.
NASA Climate Kids: Continues to be a good resource for learning about climate and environmental science.
ScratchJr: A great introduction to visual programming where kids can create interactive stories and games.
Tynker: A good stepping stone from Tynker Jr., introducing more coding concepts and project-based learning.
ABCYa: Offers a variety of educational games and activities for 1st grade, many of which incorporate math and science concepts.
BrainPOP Jr.: Provides animated videos and quizzes on a range of topics, including science, math, and technology. (May require a subscription)
Mystery Science: Offers short videos and activities that explore science mysteries and encourage curiosity. (Some content may require a subscription)
Hands-on & Offline Activities (adaptable for websites/apps too):
Building Sets (LEGO, Magna-Tiles, blocks): Encourage more complex building projects and challenges. Introduce simple machines (levers, pulleys).
Science Kits: Age-appropriate science kits can provide hands-on experiments and learning experiences.
Nature Journals: Encourage observation and recording of natural phenomena. Tie this in with nature-themed apps or websites.
Simple Machines Exploration: Explore how simple machines work using household items. Build ramps, levers, and pulleys.
Coding Games (Robot Turtles, Code Master): Introduce coding concepts through board games and other offline activities.
Gardening: Plant seeds and observe how plants grow. Learn about plant life cycles and the needs of plants.
Cooking and Baking: Explore measurement, fractions, and chemical reactions through cooking and baking.
Art Projects with a STEM Twist: Combine art with science or engineering, such as building sculptures with recycled materials or creating nature-inspired art.
Field Trips: Visit science museums, nature centers, or other educational venues.
Key Considerations for 1st Grade STEM:
Project-Based Learning: Introduce simple projects that allow students to apply their STEM knowledge.
Collaboration: Encourage teamwork and collaboration on STEM activities.
Real-World Connections: Connect STEM concepts to students' lives and the world around them.
Inquiry-Based Learning: Encourage students to ask questions and investigate their own ideas.
Introduce the Engineering Design Process (basic version): Ask, Imagine, Plan, Create, Test, Improve.
Remember to supervise children when they are using websites and apps, and choose content that aligns with their interests and learning level. Many of the hands-on activity ideas can be extended or enhanced with related online content.