Elementary School Grades K-2
Our STEAM Schedule
Our STEAM Schedule
First and Second Grade:
First and Second Grade:
45 days per year
45 days per year
Classroom teachers attend with students
Classroom teachers attend with students
Classes are three, 40-minute sessions in a row
Classes are three, 40-minute sessions in a row
Kindergarten (Half Day):
Kindergarten (Half Day):
2-3, 60-minute sessions per year
2-3, 60-minute sessions per year
Engineering & Design
Engineering & Design
Computer Programming
Computer Programming
Discovery Garden
Discovery Garden
Grade Level Highlights
Grade Level Highlights
First Grade
First Grade
In First Grade, students use the steps of the Engineering & Design Process find answers to questions and pose their own problems. Classrooms work together to create a model of our community and record information about each location using QR codes. Later in the year, students spend time interviewing each other and people around the school before generating ideas for new inventions to solve common problems. Students are challenged to collaborate with each other and improve on their designs during each work session.
In First Grade, students use the steps of the Engineering & Design Process find answers to questions and pose their own problems. Classrooms work together to create a model of our community and record information about each location using QR codes. Later in the year, students spend time interviewing each other and people around the school before generating ideas for new inventions to solve common problems. Students are challenged to collaborate with each other and improve on their designs during each work session.
From constructing a sturdy house that not even the Big, Bad Wolf can blow over to perfecting the perfect paint recipe or designing a better bubble blower, First Grade students learn that two heads are better than one when solving a problem!
From constructing a sturdy house that not even the Big, Bad Wolf can blow over to perfecting the perfect paint recipe or designing a better bubble blower, First Grade students learn that two heads are better than one when solving a problem!
Second Grade
Second Grade
In Second Grade, students learn about computer programming using Scratch Jr. and Lego WeDo. Students are presented with coding challenges and have created digital fairy tales, "All About Me" projects, and video games using the Scratch Jr. app. Moving on to Lego WeDo, students incorporate motors and sensors to their Lego creations and iterate on their designs until they create a working robot.
In Second Grade, students learn about computer programming using Scratch Jr. and Lego WeDo. Students are presented with coding challenges and have created digital fairy tales, "All About Me" projects, and video games using the Scratch Jr. app. Moving on to Lego WeDo, students incorporate motors and sensors to their Lego creations and iterate on their designs until they create a working robot.
Students use Makey-Makeys to create floor circuits and their own musical instruments!
Students use Makey-Makeys to create floor circuits and their own musical instruments!
Some classrooms are also experimenting with building and programming Kano computers.
Some classrooms are also experimenting with building and programming Kano computers.
Kindergarten
Kindergarten
Kindergarteners learn the basics of STEAM Class during their visits throughout the year. Kindergarteners gain early experiences with circuitry and computer programming by creating their own conductive play-doh and lighting it up with LED lights. Students also use apps such as Kodable and offline programming activities to learn about how their devices work!
Kindergarteners learn the basics of STEAM Class during their visits throughout the year. Kindergarteners gain early experiences with circuitry and computer programming by creating their own conductive play-doh and lighting it up with LED lights. Students also use apps such as Kodable and offline programming activities to learn about how their devices work!
Connecting to the Regular Classroom Curriculum
Connecting to the Regular Classroom Curriculum
Our K-2 teachers are beginning to apply the concepts and practices learned in STEAM to their own classrooms. We've worked with teachers in both Kindergarten and Second Grade this year to introduce project-based learning thematic lessons and units that provide authentic learning opportunities for students.
Our K-2 teachers are beginning to apply the concepts and practices learned in STEAM to their own classrooms. We've worked with teachers in both Kindergarten and Second Grade this year to introduce project-based learning thematic lessons and units that provide authentic learning opportunities for students.
Flat Lila (Switzerland).MOVThis year, Second Grade teachers revamped their Flat Stanley unit. After reading the Flat Stanley book in Literacy, students were asked the question: Where should Flat Stanley travel next? Students selected a location, researched their place with the Elementary Librarian, and then produced reports in their classrooms. In Art, students designed their own version of Flat Stanley and then brought them into the STEAM Lab where they turned their work into original Stop Motion animations.
This year, Second Grade teachers revamped their Flat Stanley unit. After reading the Flat Stanley book in Literacy, students were asked the question: Where should Flat Stanley travel next? Students selected a location, researched their place with the Elementary Librarian, and then produced reports in their classrooms. In Art, students designed their own version of Flat Stanley and then brought them into the STEAM Lab where they turned their work into original Stop Motion animations.
Students combined art and research to create a realistic depiction of Flat Stanley's travels. We used green screens to insert background photos of each location.
Students combined art and research to create a realistic depiction of Flat Stanley's travels. We used green screens to insert background photos of each location.
Students kept track of Flat Stanley's travels throughout the spring!
Students kept track of Flat Stanley's travels throughout the spring!
Using QR codes to record their research, Second Grade students showcased their understanding of the solar system.
Using QR codes to record their research, Second Grade students showcased their understanding of the solar system.
In another Second Grade class, students used storyboard to organize their main ideas and details for iMovie PSA's on Superstorms.
In another Second Grade class, students used storyboard to organize their main ideas and details for iMovie PSA's on Superstorms.
Kindergarteners created cardboard construction robots and embeddded QR codese with video explanations of their traits.
Kindergarteners created cardboard construction robots and embeddded QR codese with video explanations of their traits.
Kindergarteners explored how fossils are made and what they tell us with Curious George.
Kindergarteners explored how fossils are made and what they tell us with Curious George.
