STEAM-Powered Classroom

Funded Feb 27, 2019

As you all saw the uploaded pictures, my students were so excited when we first received all the classroom donations. Let's just say, that excitement has not died down. I am very proud that the materials we received have been used almost on a daily basis in my classroom.

One of the materials we received were the magnetic tiles. The tiles have been very multipurpose. The students can use them to practice their 2D shapes, as well as utilizing them to build 3D shapes and other objects. My students have been using their imagination to build houses, cars, parking lots, bridges, tunnels. Anytime this is a center they may choose from, most students pick it as a first choice. It has become our classroom's most beloved activity! The students are so engaged with it, they strategize, collaborate, and let their imagination take over!

Another one of our materials we received was the block set. This set has been helpful in allowing the students to work together in creating their own tracks. When we learned about transportation it was a huge hit as students were building their own roads and cities. As a science experiment we learned about gravity and velocity. By using the ramps, this set aided us as we tested the velocity of different classroom objects. We made hypothesis of what would happen based on the objects we were testing and then tested them on the ramps. The kids were so involved and eager to see what would happen next.

Our last 2 materials were different building sets. The building sets allowed my students to think like architectures. They were able to put the pieces together to build different structures, tunnels, and buildings. The students also thoroughly enjoyed using this set as we learned about our communities. They loved recreating "Boston" with their tall skyscrapers, and building our own city with lots of schools and apartment buildings. After students build their structures, they would draw their blueprints, just like a real architecture or construction worker would have a blueprint of something they are building.

These sets really let my Kindergarten students use their imagination in constructing their own ideas and allowing them to learn through STEAM in a fun and exciting way. Students would have to plan out their ideas, then would re-work them through trial and errors, learning along the way when their original plan may not work, as towers would fall and bridges would collapse, but with determination and problem solving they could rework their creativities to fully functioning masterpieces.

As a next step for our classroom we have been graciously able to use them in many of our Units of Studies. Students have been able to use the materials and figure out new ways of utilizing them to go along with the different themes I have taught over the course of the last few months. I am excited as the school year is coming to an end that I will be able to use these materials next year and all the other incoming Kindergarten classrooms that I will have. My students this year have had an awesome time learning through STEAM and it has been such a great tool in instilling a different teaching style that will open their minds to hopefully our future scientists, architects, engineers, artist, and mathematicians.

Thank you for assisting me in making my classroom a fun learning environment! Your support has been very much appreciated.”

With gratitude,

Ms. Tejada