Resources for the Classroom and Educators

We are very lucky to have numerous resources available to us as educators. Some are free, while others are pay services. It can be challenging during the school year to use newly found resources, so I have a habit of saving links I come across on social media on my phone by leaving the tab open in Chrome. Here are a few so that I can close those tabs and still have easy access to the resources. It's not exciting to look at but holds a variety of free resources for use in the classroom, professional development, grants, and conference possibilities.

Classroom:

http://stemteachingtools.org/ - The STEM Teaching Tools site has tools that can help you teach science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). We are currently focused on supporting the teaching of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Each tool is focused on a specific issue and leverages the best knowledge from research and practice. 

https://www.sanfordharmony.org/ - Sanford Harmony is a social emotional learning program for Pre-K-6 grade students designed to foster communication, connection, and community both in and outside the classroom, and develop boys and girls into compassionate and caring adults.

http://www.ascd.org/publications/newsletters/education-update/mar19/vol61/num03/Deepening-Independence-in-the-Reading-Workshop.aspx 

https://orise.orau.gov/stem/k-12/index.html - Recognizing that it is never too early to excite students about science education, ORISE offers a variety of STEM education opportunities for both students and the teachers who will be inspiring them. As more teachers are able to connect authentic research with classroom curricula, the more likely students will pursue careers within the scientific workforce.

https://www.weareteachers.com/team-building-games-and-activities/ - Team-building games and activities are a great tool for helping students learn to work together, listen carefully, communicate clearly, and think creatively. They also give your students the chance to get to know each other, build trust as a community and, best of all, have some fun! Here are 33 team-building activities that will teach your students these skills and more.

https://www.notsowimpyteacher.com/2019/07/first-week-of-school-lesson-plans.html - Lesson planning is always a bit tricky, but planning for that first week back to school is extra challenging! How much time should we spend teaching procedures? How can we get to know our new students? How can we make the first week fun? When should we start with the curriculum?

https://www.cilc.org/Interactive-Content/Zoom-Live-Streaming-Events.aspx - During this school year Zoom is sponsoring at least 2 streaming programs per month on CILC! These programs are presented by some of our TOP content providers at no cost to all CILC members. See below for a variety of topics, times and grade levels and to register for the programs.

https://hearthookhome.com/teach-children-to-crochet/ - What is better than being able to crochet for children? Being able to teach children to crochet, that’s what! Crocheting gives children a sense of accomplishment while fostering their creativity. Teaching a child crochet opens them up to so many crafting possibilities, so let’s make that easier on all of us!

https://www.nasa.gov/stem/artemis.html - Going forward to the Moon will be the shining moment of our generation. This moment will belong to you–the Artemis generation. Are you ready?

https://www.nsta.org/corteva/ - “Now, more than ever, it is important for students to have access to high-quality, hands-on activities and experiences that expand their perspectives about science,” said David Evans, NSTA executive director. “Agriculture provides a unique opportunity for teachers to engage students in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) concepts in a way that directly

and indirectly impacts their lives. We are thrilled to collaborate with Corteva Agriscience to

provide teachers with dynamic, real-world content that will enhance student engagement and

provide students with relevant examples of how their learning is linked to the agricultural world

around them.” 

https://www.edsurge.com/news/2018-02-14-why-taking-risks-in-the-classroom-pays-off-for-students-and-teachers - "For the past 13 years, I have been a social studies teacher at the middle school level. I’ve taught in a few districts with unique missions and priorities, but one thing that has remained constant is the fact that to make sure that learning remains engaging and relevant for the modern learner, risk-taking in the classroom is a necessity."

https://www.nasa.gov/stem/foreducators/k-4/a-year-of-stem.html - Make this your best year of teaching so far. Plan a year of involving your elementary school students in exciting, real-world science, technology, engineering and math, in a variety of ways with NASA and its partners. Some of these opportunities take minutes, and some require more planning. Click and print the checklist. Use the links below to find more information and to stay current, as details may change. Let this be a year of authentic learning with NASA STEM Engagement.

https://www.aiaa.org/get-involved/students-educators/k-12-teacher-resources - AIAA supplies teachers with all the tools they will need to stir the curiosity of their students, and those tools are fun, engaging, and, mostly, “hands-on,” to ensure the students thrive in their learning environment. From classroom grants, to standards based projects, to Aerospace Micro-Lessons, AIAA is committed to providing students with exceptional learning experiences, and teachers with the tools and resources to create those moments.

https://www.lawrencehallofscience.org/do_science_now/science_apps_and_activities - Are you looking to explore the surface of the Sun from your phone? We have an app for that! The Lawrence Hall of Science continues its long tradition of excellence in educational technology with a suite of new apps that explore hands-on science and important health topics.

https://www.nationalgeographic.org/education/classroom-resources/ - Bring National Geographic to your classroom through lesson plans, maps, and reference resources.

http://dailystem.com/ - dailySTEM is created by Chris Woods, a HS Math Teacher, Education Presenter, & Host of the STEM Everyday Podcast

https://ditchthattextbook.com/how-to-create-a-digital-escape-room-for-your-class-or-pd/ - Digital escape rooms offer the same experience as physical escape rooms in a more manageable way. Read this post to learn how to create them yourself!

http://www.fortheteachers.org/instructional_strategies/ - We know that students learn best when they are truly engaged in what they are learning, when they have the opportunity to explore, debate, discuss, examine, defend, and experiment with the concepts and skills they are ready to learn.

https://www.edutopia.org/article/3-ways-ask-questions-engage-whole-class - These techniques guide all students to process course content and then actively demonstrate their learning.

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/teacher-resources - Hands-on STEM for Your Classroom

https://edu.google.com/teaching-resources/?modal_active=none - Explore resources and tools created by Google to inspire creativity, encourage hands-on learning, and equip your students with digital skills.

https://web.seesaw.me/ - Seesaw is the best classroom app for meaningfully engaging students in their learning

https://www.tinkercad.com/ - Tinkercad is a free, easy-to-use app for 3D design, electronics, and coding. It's used by teachers, kids, hobbyists, and designers to imagine, design, and make anything!

https://scratch.mit.edu/ - Scratch helps young people learn to think creatively, reason systematically, and work collaboratively — essential skills for life in the 21st century.

https://code.org/ - Every student in every school should have the opportunity to learn computer science

Professional Development/Opportunities:

https://www.discoverspace.org/education/for-educators/teacher-liaisons/ - Teacher Liaisons are extraordinary educators who use space-related education programs and principles in the classroom to act as advocates for space-based education in their schools and districts. If selected for the program, they receive Space Foundation training and resources to further integrate space into their classrooms. The program is open to public, private and homeschool teachers, as well as school administrators, principals, specialists, curriculum and instruction developers and others who deliver education programs to students.

https://www.irex.org/program/opportunity-us-k-12-teachers-fulbright-distinguished-awards-teaching-research-program - The Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Research Program provides an opportunity for K–12 educators from the United States to conduct research and engage in other professional learning experiences abroad for three to six months. Fulbright Distinguished fellows complete individual inquiry projects on a topic relevant to education in the United States and the host country, take courses at a host university, and share educational practices with colleagues.

https://www.irex.org/program/opportunity-us-teachers-fulbright-teachers-global-classrooms-program-fulbright-tgc - The Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms Program (Fulbright TGC) is a year-long professional development opportunity for elementary, middle, and high school teachers to develop skills for preparing students for a competitive global economy. Fulbright TGC equips teachers to bring an international perspective to their schools through targeted training, experience abroad, and global collaboration.

https://stemtlnet.org/ - Working together to improve schools, effect policy, and re-envision the future of STEM teaching and learning.

https://orise.orau.gov/stem/k-12/competitions-for-educators.html - Monthly competition for classroom materials and funds

https://orise.orau.gov/stem/k-12/teacher-professional-development.html - Variety of STEM professional development opportunities

https://www.teachingtraveling.com/teacher-appreciation-travel-opportunities/ - The author of this amazing resource is an educator named Andi Webb who was previously featured on Teaching Traveling in the interview entitled, “18 Teacher Travel Grants.” That article has been read by thousands of people so far, but Andi realized there were countless other opportunities that are not mentioned there.

https://stem.idaho.gov/apply/ - Applications for professional development and resources

https://www.polartrec.com/educators - PolarTREC has several activities, opportunities, and resources for educators to learn more about the polar regions and polar science. Navigate through the features of this page to learn more about the PolarTREC program, explore ways to participate in research experiences or the polar science online course, and search for resources to teach about the polar regions.

http://www.infosys.org/infosys-foundation-usa/pathfinders/ - The Infosys Foundation USA is pleased to host immersive professional development opportunity in computer science (CS) and making. All K-12 US public school teachers are welcome to apply. Teachers from all disciplines are encouraged to apply. Special consideration will be given to teachers from high-needs schools and under-represented communities, those new to teaching CS and making, and districts demonstrating significant commitment to these subjects.

https://www.nationalgeographic.org/education/professional-development/ - Explore opportunities and programs for K–12 educators

http://www.loc.gov/teachers/professionaldevelopment/teacherinstitute/ - Immerse yourself in the practice of teaching with primary sources from the unparalleled collections of Library of Congress this summer. Apply to attend a week-long professional development program for K-12 educators in the nation's capital.

https://www.uspto.gov/learning-and-resources/outreach-and-education/national-summer-teacher-institute - Each year, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) conducts the National Summer Teacher Institute (NSTI) on Innovation, STEM, and Intellectual Property. NSTI combines experiential training tools, practices, and project-based learning models to support elementary, middle, and high school teachers in increasing their knowledge of making, inventing, and innovation. The central focus of the Institute is on the creation and protection of intellectual property—this includes inventions, knowledge discovery, creative ideas, and expressions of the human mind that may have commercial value and are protectable under patent, trademark, copyright, or trade secret laws. Intellectual property is modeled as both a teaching and learning platform to help inspire and motivate student achievement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines, computer science, and other fields of study such as innovation and entrepreneurship.  

Grants:

https://app.smarterselect.com/programs/60480-Air-Force-Association - Due date Dec. 15

https://www.aiaa.org/get-involved/students-educators/aiaa-foundation-classroom-grant-program - Due date Jan. 17

https://stem.idaho.gov/apply/ - Different due dates

Conferences:

https://www.stemleadershipalliance.org/ - STEM Leadership Alliance July

http://www.edfesthawaii.org/ - March

https://conference.iste.org/2020/ - International Society for Technology in Education June-July

https://www.iteea.org/ITEEA_Conference_2020.aspx - International Technology and Engineering Educators Association March

https://spacecenter.org/educator-resources/teachers-seec/ - Space Exploration Educator Conference (SEEC) February

https://www.nsta.org/conferences/national.aspx/ - National Science Teaching Association March

https://www.nche.net/conference - National Council for History Educators March

https://ncce.org/conference2020/ - National Council for Computer Education (NCCE) March

Note: I plan to keep updating this post with resources throughout the school year.

Authentic Design Projects - Supply Storage

We have completed two design projects so far this year. Both challenges occurred through a natural process of identifying a need and developing solutions. I had initially planned to have students share supplies but that option didn't work out. My initial plan for storage was extra large zip-lock bags to hold their supplies and stored in a filing cabinet. The organization of the bags didn't work well for students to quickly and efficiently access their supplies. As a class, we discussed what might be alternative ways to store the supplies. We identified all the constraints together noting that they had to be movable because students switch seats. They also needed to be accessible but not in the way.

Students then brainstormed ideas. Once they had chosen a solution to develop, they had to create a sketch and label the different materials used. The design focused on using the existing large zip-lock bags as a component for storing supplies. Rather than store them in drawers, students wanted to have them at their tables.

Based on all the completed sketches, we determined a list of materials. Once the materials had been gathered, students set to work creating their solutions.

There were a variety of solutions with similarities. Some worked well and some didn't. Students were given the opportunity to improve their designs with a Supply Bag 2.0.

  

  

Repairs and improvements continue to be made as needed. This taught students about creating a solution with durability as well as aesthetics. It will be interesting to see if there has been more iterations of the design by the end of the year.

I'm still here!

I am thriving in the transition from Einstein Fellow back to classroom educator. I did not return to my same teaching position and have had many changes along the road. I am finally catching my breath and able to spend a little time on my blog.

I am thrilled to be back in the classroom and teaching in a 3rd grade general classroom. One of my big goals for returning to the classroom was to bring the STEM experiences I have had to the students. This is always easier said than done when considering all that goes into classroom instruction. There have been days when I said, "I got this!" and other days when I have to reset and try again. While I have a lot of experience, ideas, and possible resources, I still do not have all the answers, and I am definitely not perfect. I am enjoying learning from my colleagues and my students.

Examining primary sources for a playground design project

I can't believe we are a quarter of the way through the school year. It has felt at times as though I have been on a hamster wheel, except a little more productive. At times, I have to remind myself to slow down and breathe because if I get stressed over things that need to be done, it usually transfers itself to my students.

Counting our unifix cubes

Composing and decomposing numbers

It has been a whirlwind of collaborative activities, projects, and working to integrate STEM instruction into the core classroom instruction. The students do quite a bit of engineering whether through a 3D printing project, prescribed build, or a free build.

Constructing out of cardboard

They share a lot of their project work on Seesaw digital portfolios (web.seesaw.me). The digital portfolios allow me to keep records of student work and performance based assessments. Families are also able to view student work and helps them understand what we are doing in our classroom.

 

Enjoying a little garden time

     

A refreshing game of checkers

A great spot for pleasure reading

Peer assistance with 3D design on Tinkercad

Sharing math strategies

Cohosting a #MSFTEduChat on October 15

I am so excited to be a part of the October @TweetMeet about STEM and NASA. If you have seen any of my previous posts, well, those two areas are fairly prominent. My teaching career was transformed through a hands-on real-world experience with NASA. You can get a little preview with the Flipgrid video below. I hope you are able to join us on October 15 for the live @TweetMeet at 11:00 am MT or check out the discussion afterwards.

Preparing for 2019-2020 in the Classroom - Starting with Primary Sources

As I am wrapping up my fellowship and preparing to return to the classroom for the 2019-2020 school year, I find myself very excited about the possibilities in front of me. I have been out of the general classroom for going on seven years. During my six years as the K-5 Engineering Teacher at Galileo STEM Academy, I felt as though what I was doing could be integrated into the general classroom. Now is my chance to put it to the test. I have begun mapping out the various resources I now have in addition to my engineering tools and identifying ways they can be integrated into the general elementary classroom.

Since my passion for integrating primary sources has been deeply embedded during my time at the Library of Congress, I first went through standards and district curriculum looking for areas that would easily integrate with primary sources. I highlighted areas I felt could be easily integrated with the use of primary sources. Since primary source analysis uses similar strategies as science based claim, evidence, and reasoning (CER), I also noted areas where I could integrate the use of CER with primary sources and various content areas.

I look forward to the challenge of integrating the various resources I have accumulated in my teacher tool box and the lessons learned from the elementary engineering lab.

Only Three More Months

When I first arrived in Washington, DC to start my time as an Einstein Fellow, I felt this urgency to take in and experience as much as the city and the fellowship has to offer.  By the end of December, the urgency started to fade and seemed to coincide with winter weather that made it more pleasurable to remain indoors.  Now that there are only three months left to my fellowship and the weather has taken a decidedly spring if not summer turn, the urgency to go forth and take in all I can is back in full force.





I know I will not ever feel as though I have seen it all or done it all, but I am trying to take in more panel sessions and DC experiences.  I also have plans to take some personal time to travel a bit around the northeast, making my way up to Maine and out to the Atlantic Ocean.  And yet, with all the amazing events to attend and places to see, I am still trying to enjoy the beauty of the day-to-day living and working in the capital.  I used to worry about looking like a tourist by taking pictures around DC, but I am a tourist and don't want to miss the opportunity to record this fantastic experience.

















I am excited about the upcoming opportunity to put new skills and resources into practice in the classroom. In addition, I will be pursuing ways in which to share the STEM knowledge I have developed over the course of my time as a K-5 engineering teacher, an Einstein Fellow at the Library of Congress, and integrating all of those experiences into an engaging learning experience for students in my classroom.

Resources Abound at the Library of Congress for Educators

Educators, if you have not looked into the resources available at the Library of Congress, it's time to check it out.  I have to admit the searches can be overwhelming.  I had a couple of weeks at the start of my fellowship to browse and search.  There were so many relevant resources but at times I couldn't find specific items for topics.  It took me a couple of months to learn some of the techniques from my colleagues in the Learning and Innovation Office.  The exploration was well worth the effort.  Elementary educators cover all the content areas except for a few specials. As educators that cover so many subjects, the Library of Congress digital resources is perfect for making great connections for your students.  

The primary and secondary resources available at the Library of Congress come in a rich variety.  There are audio files, webcasts, YouTube videos, hand-written notebooks, pictures, newspapers, books, and more.  Not only can you use these resources to enhance your instruction, but students can also use them to make connections between their learning and historical context.  Imagine students creating their own products with Library sources and learning to cite them appropriately.  For younger students, I might create a folder of possible resources for them to use in a shared Microsoft or Google folder.  

Searches can be made easier by creating a list of potential search terms.  Terms are used differently throughout the year.  It's important to understand that a refrigerator used to be an icebox and light bulbs were incandescent lamps.  This is where an internet search can help to identify additional terms to search under. Below are some easily accessible resources ready for educators.  Primary Source Sets include groups of various primary sources that address particular subjects.  Another great resource is using the Ask a Librarian feature available on the Library of Congress website.

Teacher Resource Page - http://www.loc.gov/teachers/

Blog - http://blogs.loc.gov/teachers/

Classroom Materials - http://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/

Primary Sources Sets - http://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/primarysourcesets/

Historic American Buildings Survey/Historic American Engineering Record/Historic American Landscapes Survey - https://www.loc.gov/collections/historic-american-buildings-landscapes-and-engineering-records/about-this-collection/

Alexander Graham Bell Family Papers at the Library of Congress - https://www.loc.gov/collections/alexander-graham-bell-papers/about-this-collection/

Resources from the Science Reference Division (research guides, everyday mysteries, etc.) - http://www.loc.gov/rr/scitech/

Teaching with Primary Sources Network has a STEM Group - https://tpsteachersnetwork.org//

Congressional information https://www.congress.gov/

Congressional Research Services has some reports that are also available to the public https://crsreports.congress.gov/

Remember each item you find in the Library's resources has a citation tool towards the bottom of the page.

Scratch and Paper Circuits with Primary Sources

The breadth of primary sources available from the Library of Congress present an excellent opportunity for elementary educators to connect and integrate content areas through historical context.  As an Einstein Fellow, I am identifying ways to make STEM connections through primary sources.  A couple of recent projects include using Scratch (scratch.mit.edu) to create programs using primary sources and creating paper circuits with primary sources.

Instructions for the Civil War Bugle Calls Scratch project are still in development https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/268767799/. The instructions include information on original sheet music and how to use the original bugle calls to code the music using Scratch 2.0.  Students could do a variety of project using Scratch and primary sources. This is just one example.

Lighting the first National Christmas tree with paper circuits allows students to understand the importance of early electricity and the history of some of our holiday traditions.  The 1923 National Christmas tree was the first and lit with electric lights.  A card can be created with any primary source and then used to light up with a paper circuit on the inside.  Additional uses could be examining electrical circuits, incandescent lamps, and more.

 

Any feedback you might have on these types of projects would be greatly appreciated.  If you are local in the DC area, I would love the opportunity to visit your classroom and work on some of these projects with you if we can find times in both of our schedules to connect.  

Smithsonian Learning Lab

As Einstein Fellows, not only does each fellow have an opportunity to create a professional development plan, but we also participate in program-developed each month. In October, we visited Smithsonian Learning Labs.

During our day at Smithsonian Learning Labs, we explored activities that are available for educators to download and use in their classrooms.  Have you ever thought about what makes an item innovative? What if you had to rank items based on their level of innovation? Where would you place an arrowhead in the ranking? What about a clock?  It's not as easy as it might seem.

After explorations and discussions, we visited the rooftop for some awesome photos!

We also learned about some simulations that are available.  The fellows had a lot of fun with the Wright Flyer simulation.  Just have to say, I landed it without crashing. 

One of the features I liked best was being able to collect and house online resources under my own free account.  Resources could be 2D images of objects, lesson plans, secondary sources, and more. We were barely able to scratch the surface of the available resources, but I plan to continue to explore and collect resources.

Best Experience So Far

Wow! I had another inspirational experience last night with a talk by Astronaut Scott Kelly. His message about being an average, or even bad student, and still being able to accomplish his goals through planning and hard work was very insightful. Perseverance and hard work were underlying themes throughout the evening.  His passion for his work was clearly evident.

As an Einstein Fellow from rural Idaho, spending 11 months in Washington, D.C., I am often asked what has been the best experience so far.  For me, there is no single event or experience.  The variety of experiences to date include getting to know my cohort, attending lectures and symposiums, participating in professional development coordinated by the Albert Einstein Fellowship program, participating in professional development I have created for myself, and having fun in this amazing city.  I suppose my favorite experience is the overall experience all woven together. It is a rich and engaging experience that nurtures my professional career, my thrill of adventure, and drive to explore.

I can't believe it has already been two months since I started my time as an Einstein Fellow. On one hand, I would be hard pressed to list all the experiences I have already had. On the other hand, I am constantly looking for more experiences since I know my time in this fellowship is slowly ticking away.  During these two months, I have already begun a transformation.
Much like the fall trees with their changing colors, I feel as though I am in a similar process of natural and yet amazing change.


I am growing my knowledge base and developing a confidence in the learning opportunity I have created for students and hope to create for students in the future.  Furthermore, I have a new awareness of possible resources that can help support engaging STEM education for all students. I have no idea of what my total transformation will be by the end of the 11 months. In fact, I don't know what I will be doing after the 11 months since my previous teaching position is now experiencing its own transformation with a fantastic educator.  I do know that I have an increased passion for the importance of hands-on STEM in elementary education and a desire to continue to make a difference for students and educators.  My one piece of advice for other educators is find your passion and bring it to the classroom! You deserve it, and your students deserve it.  I am constantly inspired by the educators around me with a passion for students and educators.

Opportunities Abound - Washington, D.C. is My Classroom

One month in to my Einstein Fellowship, I am still in awe of the opportunities that abound within the program and the Washington, D.C. area. Since traveling to the Capitol for my fellowship in August, not only have I seen "the sights" and explored various neighborhoods, I have attended briefings, lectures, symposium, Library of Congress events, and traveled to Idaho for a conference. Our cohort of fellows are placed at the National Science Foundation, NASA, Department of Energy - Office of Science, Congress, and Library of Congress.

As we each learn about new opportunities, we share them out. There are learning opportunities taking place on a daily basis, not to mention time to get together to enjoy social outings. As one fellow put it, "Sometimes this buffet puts everything out at once bu won't let you take two or three things." If you can't find something to do to grow, it's because you're not looking.  Now, a month in, I find that I am able to start making connections between what I may have heard in a symposium or lecture with a briefing on technology integration into K-12 classrooms and what I am collaborating on at the Library of Congress. Creating connections between content and transferring that learning to new situations is what we want our students to do in the classroom.  Looks like Washington, D.C. is my classroom for growing, learning, and transferring that knowledge to new projects to benefit elementary STEM education!

    

Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship - 1st Month

I am one month into my 11-month fellowship. I cannot believe how much has happened in the short time, and yet, I cannot believe that there is only 10 months left. Currently, the program is accepting applications through November 15, 2018 (https://science.energy.gov/wdts/einstein/).  I realize I do not have much time in the fellowship, but I can already say that it is a transformational experience full of amazing opportunities. Below are pictures from the past month that started off with a road trip from Idaho to Washington, D.C.  There are numerous pictures and I did that in part to emphasize how many opportunities there are during the @AEF_Program. Believe it or not, I haven't even done as much as some Fellows. #amazing #PD #STEM #valued