STEM-Infusing the Elementary Classroom

Miranda Talley Reagan began her career as a fourth grade teacher with an appreciation for hands-on learning and helping students make connections across content areas. When her school system began a K-12 STEM initiative, she was hired to develop and implement an elementary STEM curriculum for a K-3 STEM lab. During her two years in the STEM lab, Miranda logged her elementary STEM lab experiences on a blog on her school website which has become a popular resource for elementary STEM teachers nationwide and even internationally. After the success of the STEM lab, Miranda accepted a year-long position as Instructional Coach for STEM and Technology Integration. During this time, she led an initiative in her own school while also working with other schools interested in STEM integration. Miranda has now transitioned back into a third grade classroom in order to practice STEM-infusion full time. She continues to be a teacher leader within her school as well as providing professional development for other districts. Miranda has a Bachelor's degree in Child Development and Learning, a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction, and an Educational Specialist degree in Educational Leadership.

Foreword by Cary Sneider Preface Acknowledgments About the Author Chapter 1. STEM-Infusing All Content Areas A Way of Teaching Misconceptions About STEM-Infusion Said No One Ever Spiraling Down A Breath of Fresh Air Model Not Subject Working Smarter Discussion Starters Your Next Step Chapter 2. Why STEM in Elementary? Then and Now 21st Century Readiness Motivating Change Discussion Starters Your Next Step Chapter 3. Rigor Meets Relevance Explosion Emotional Relevance Making It Matter The Relevance Trap The Role of Technology Discussion Starters Your Next Step Chapter 4. The Cross-Cutting Concepts Approach to STEM-Infusion The Pattern Revelation Cross-Cutting Concepts Creating STEM-Infused Lesson Plans With Cross-Cutting Concepts Concerns About Rearranging Standards When to Use This Approach Discussion Starters Your Next Step Chapter 5. The Standards Alignment Approach to STEM-Infusion Operation Top Secret Message Starting With the Standards Connecting the Unconnected When to Use This Approach Brainstorming Project Ideas Let the Creativity Begin Discussion Starters Your Next Step Chapter 6. The Thematic Approach to STEM-Infusion Play Ball The Thematic Approach Not Your Mama's Thematic Teaching When to Use This Approach Discussion Starters Your Next Step Chapter 7. Assessing STEM The Testing Mess My Mistake Assessing STEM Rubrics Student Goal Setting Student Journaling Improvement Logs Teacher Clipboard Assessing Social Emotional Learning Standardize Testing and STEM Discussion Starters Your Next Step Chapter 8. The Benefits of the STEM Mindset: Risk Taking and Resilience Locked Out A Mindset Shift Growth Versus Fixed Mindsets Growing From STEM Student Empowerment Discussion Starters Your Next Step Chapter 9. Student Collaboration Lego Trench Foundation of Communication Richness of the Interaction Discussion Starters Your Next Step Chapter 10. Leadership for Change A Really Hard Night Progress as an Expectation Modeling Parent Involvement Goal Setting Sharing Resources and Providing Support Teaching Teams Teacher Trust and Autonomy Closing Discussion Starters Your Next Step Resources Resource A. Pipeline Lesson Plan Resource B. Volcano Lesson Plan Resource C. Candy Cane Lesson Plan Resource D. Germs Lesson Plan Resource E. Top Secret Message Lesson Plan Resource F. Baseball Lesson Plan Resource G. Moon Rover Lesson Plan Resource H. Improvement Log Resource I. Storm Shelter Lesson Plan Resource J. Lego Lesson Plan Resource K. Tennis Shoe Lesson Plan Resource L. Helmet Lesson Plan Resource M. Blank Lesson Plan Template 1 Resource N. Blank Lesson Plan Template 2 Resource O. Additional STEM-Infused Activity Ideas Glossary References Index

"Reagan shows the importance of STEM-infused learning with much support. The importance and relevancy of the book is very clear. She adequately explained any desired target outcomes and gave steps to achieve them. Many good examples were included . . . An excellent choice to purchase for a school or team." -- Marsha Basanda "This book does an excellent job of describing a STEM classroom and the basics for beginning to design your own curriculum . . . As a teacher who helped develop the STEM program in the elementary school where I teach, I could understand and relate to the issues and concepts presented in this book. STEM has become the curriculum of the future. This book will help educators not only understand what STEM is, but its importance and how to incorporate it in their classrooms." -- Marti Hooten, Early Childhood/Elementary Teacher "After reading this book, infusing STEM into your elementary classroom will be as easy as 1,2,3...A, B, C!" -- Susan Schipper, Elementary Teacher "Spirited Teachers Eliciting Memories Miranda's book is an inspiration for the elementary teacher who wants to begin using STEM in the classroom. She has answered all of the "but what ifs" and the "I'm not sures" and given teachers the answers to the "hows and whys" it will work. STEM-Infusing the Elementary Classroom is full of useful and fun information to guide teachers in this new, exciting area of education. Watching the STEM classes in Miranda's school, while working on their projects, is amazing. The students work together well, discuss their ideas freely, and take pride in "improving" their projects! Rigor, relevance, and creativity, ...what more can you ask for? I cannot wait to use Miranda's book with my Science and Social Studies Methods Class as an inspiration for our preservice teachers!" -- Dr. Jill C. Mertz, Adjunct Professor of Education "STEM-Infusing the Elementary Classroom blends interdisciplinary STEM lessons for K-5 grades with a guide that shows teachers how to understand basic STEM concepts and apply them across the curriculum. Case histories pair with sample lessons and templates to help teachers integrate these strategies into lesson plans in such a way that existing standards are infused with STEM concepts and results." -- Donovan's Bookshelf