Embedded Files
With the world being busy sometimes we forget to stop and smell the roses. Or in this case, all the little things that make the world go round. While I was in Washington DC with the Smithsonian Teacher Innovators Institute I learned to appreciate the story behind objects. (Keep in mind in 16 years I have only taught Social Studies 2 times to 2nd graders so I have NO idea if my ideas are worthy.)
This was done with a green screen zoom using a background. To have the students do the heavy lifting use a movie editor like iMovie. The best part about STEAM is taking an idea and adding a new layer! This can be moved up the SAMR scale by the students choosing organizing the video, choosing the background, and adding sound and special effects.
PSA all the way
PSA all the way
If an issue is important to the world, the world needs to know about it. I like using PSAs to see how students represent what they know. I offer up Canva, iMovie, podcasts, posters, etc. I give them a choice on how to represent their information. With choice comes power and often they choose a strength you didn't know they had. Here an 8th grader created a PSA about swimsuits. Maybe a video is more your speed check out this link. This was 100% independent with a green screen. They figured it all out!
Object Story Telling:
This button will take you to a presentation on how to use objects to tell a story. I enjoyed this activity so much. The heavy lifting is put back on the students and they get the chance to create to convey their understanding. it also works great as a one off activity, a recurring theme, or as an icebreaker.
Each group was tasked with being a museum Docent for a scientist. They also created and curated the display.
Mystery Objects! Each student was given a paper sack and asked to bring in a mystery object for others to guess. Then they told all about their object. It was like a big kid show and tell. And, YES that is the doorknob to her bedroom.
Inventions/Rube Goldberg Machines: I debated about where this topic belonged. Rube Goldberg machines are complicated machines to do simple tasks. These machines work well with inventions and engineering. I do not have files to share that are mine and mine alone but I can tell you this one will get your kiddos thinking. You can find a variety of files online to support this activity. The linked site is for Mission Possible in Science Olympiad so it has really great criteria!
Using mapping as STEAM activity:
Maps are a pretty essential tool in Social Studies courses. So how do you take something that has been used for years and STEAM it up?
What is mapping, but following directions exactly. Can you help the mouse get to the cheese using explicit directions? In this activity, students have to tell the mouse exactly how to get to the cheese. You have the opportunity to introduce conditionals the harder the maze the harder it is to tell the mouse exactly what to do. A word of warning students will try to invent worm holes and have the mouse climb the walls.
Mapping the routes with robots: Using any manner of physical computing with robots can definitely amp up your map skills. In my brain, you could lay out a map and then have students program a route. Maybe you are considering the Mormon Trail or Lewis and Clark. This would not only include computer science skills but would also incorporate math skills such as distance and angles.
Directions mapping: If you do not have robots available I have linked a neat way to do an unplugged mapping and computer science. Credit for this activity goes to Dawn Johnson. I will do my best to explain how it works. This activity uses a tarp that has been gridded off with 24 spots. There is a clear entrance and exit for the map. The way we play is the students stand around the grid and one student moves one square left, right, forward, and backward. The map holder tells them if their step is correct or incorrect. If they have chosen incorrectly they have to get back out of the mat then the next person attempts to navigate the mystery map. The people standing are watching to help the next traveler make it through successfully.
Modifications I would use:
Give them the answer as I have linked below and have them practice saying things like move one square north and two squares east. Now let's link this to computer science, You can write this as a conditional statement, this would make playing this game a hands-on physical computing model. The computer(studnet) can only move the moves the programmer tells them with coding language.
Google Arts and Culture
Google Arts and Culture
Google Arts and Culture: https://artsandculture.google.com/
This site earns more than one spot on this website! It does an amazing job of melding together culture and art. There are games and other historical artistic pieces here that I find endlessly interesting.
Culturally Situated design tools: https://csdt.org/
What I love this site so much. As a person with no cultural background or ties, I really enjoy learning about other cultures and the significance of different activities and practices. Storytelling and quilting go hand in hand and this site can give great background on both. There are so many computer science and math tie-ins. These activities can be great jumping-off points for a cross-curricular approach!
Believe it or not, boys request to use a sewing machine as often or more than girls. The gentleman in the purple quickly learned how to make the machine work and then taught his friend how to do it. Never underestimate the power of a machine and the desire to make something that is aesthetically pleasing.
Page updated
Report abuse