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Building strength of character is an essential part of our education system. Giving our students the skills and knowledge base to become well rounded individuals is a key component within my classroom. Below are several highlights of how I help build strength of character within the STEAM Lab.
Building strength of character is an essential part of our education system. Giving our students the skills and knowledge base to become well rounded individuals is a key component within my classroom. Below are several highlights of how I help build strength of character within the STEAM Lab.
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) in STEAM
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) in STEAM
There are 5 core competencies in teaching SEL: self-awareness, management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision making. In my classroom I incorporate all these competencies by teaching students how to work in groups which, in turn, nurtures a culture of kindness. In addition, I teach students how to have respectful conversations by acting as a role model in and out of the classroom. SEL is a vital component of adhering to the Mineola's Mission Statement.
Effective Effort Rubric
Effective Effort Rubric
One of my professional goals for the 2019-2020 school year was to implement the effective effort rubric to students and to teach my students how to independently access their "toolbox" when presented with a challenge. I highlight one ingredient of the week and embed it within my science lessons. Students responded really well to this addition. They loved asking their friends for feedback when drawing, building, and creating various scientific models. It is heart warming to see my students grow their independence and strength of character. More importantly, they have learned to use these skills both inside and outside of the classroom.
Kids Invent Stuff Challenge
Kids Invent Stuff Challenge
In 2017 I entered all of my students in an engineering challenge from a company called Kids Invent Stuff. One kindergartener, Rhett, was chosen as the only winner (out of thousands of entries from all around the world) for creating an invention that would help solve a problem. He wanted to invent a machine that would make it snow at any moment. Students had to draw a model, name the invention and provide a description of what the invention would do and how it would solve a problem. Rhett was even on several New York news channels showcasing his invention! This was an amazing project for all my students because it showed them that even as a kindergartner you can dream big dreams!
Growing Early Mindsets in STEAM
Growing Early Mindsets in STEAM
Over the past several years one of my professional goals was to embrace the growth mindset curriculum in the STEAM Lab. This year I have worked very closely with Jenn Maichin and Lisa Richards to take the GEM Curriculum and adapt it to our Knowing Science Curriculum and what we already do in our classroom. This curriculum empowers ours youngest learners through lessons that intertwine growth mindset, mindfulness, and social emotional learning which in-turn builds strength of character for all our learners.
The mission of the Mineola Union Free School District is to inspire each student to be a life-long learner, pursue excellence, exhibit strength of character and contribute positively to a global society.
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