Week 2 blog on writing STEM lessons
I have done numerous lessons before, but creating one that was geared towards a STEM lesson was more challenenging that I though it would be. When I usually write lesson plans, I obviously make sure they are alligned with our current state standards, and then write objectives, anticipatory sets, assessments, etc. What I found to be the most challenging in this particular lesson was finding ways to extend it to include all STEM ideologies. The science component of this STEM lesson was easy enough, as was the technology part since we used microscopes to observe bacteria and spent time in the computer lab, although I wish my school had more varied types of technology such as probe ware. The engineering and math parts were more difficult. There is not much math in 7th grade lfe science so this is something I'd need to work on with our math teachers to find more ways to incorporate science and math in both classes. When I taught 8th grade physical science in previous years, there was much more math involved. I have to be honest about not really knowing how to incorporate an engineering component of a STEM lesson and feel I would need more traing in creating STEM lessons overall.
The 5 E's did help me narrow my focus for this particulr plan. I haven't used the 5 E's format in previous lesson writing, but can see the benefit of using it to creat high quality lessons, especailly is working with ESL students or students who need more modifications.
I have to agree about getting all elements of STEM in the lesson. I think some lessons will be geared more heavily toward certain fields. It was good for me to have to think about. I know I am not proficient at creating a STEM lesson at this point.
ReplyDeleteI do agree that creating this lesson was very challenging for me! I also teach 7th grade life science and my school is also limited with technological resources! So these areas are always challenging and knowing how to compensate for the lack of these resources always presents a challenge for me. I really need to obsorb a lot of these strategies to change the current low motivation felt among a lot of my students.
ReplyDeleteI try to incorporate parts of a STEM lesson in each unit, but do not always try to incorporate all aspects. Sometimes, like when teaching life science incorporating an engineering component is not possible. I feel it is better to leave it out than to put in something that does not make the lesson better. Sometimes less is more!
ReplyDeleteplanning with the STEM ideology was challenging. Especially at the elementary level, I rarely focus on teaching with careers in mind.
ReplyDeleteI think students and teachers can learn alot through STEM lessons
I agree, sometimes less is more. I also agree about the 5 E's. When I first read about them I knew I would try to implement them into my lessons. However, I'm not sure I would use the entire STEM lesson plan for my planning.
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