Building Confidence   in STEM Presentation

The brain grows at an amazing rate during development, which makes it so important that we provide young children with the best environment to learn and grow. Too much abstract thinking at a young age could possibly overwhelm a child. It is important to understand how the brain functions at each developmental milestone.

For this assignment, use the topic materials and your own research to create a 15-20 slide digital presentation that can be used during an open house geared toward families of children grades K-3.  Be sure to include a title slide, reference slide, and presenter notes.

Your presentation needs to include the following:

Brain development at each stage in relation to how children learn.

The significance of constructivism for meaningful learning during the developmental stages of young children.

The importance of introducing STEM at an early age.

At least 2-3 family resources about the importance of supporting inquiry and exploration in early childhood.

Support your presentation with 2-3 scholarly resources.

In addition to your presentation, write a 100-250 word reflection in which you discuss your self-confidence as it pertains to STEM education. Explain how you will incorporate STEM concepts into your future classroom. Discuss the significance of professional lifelong learning, especially subjects in the STEM field.

While APA style format is not required for the body of this assignment, solid academic writing is expected, and in-text citations and references should be presented using APA documentation guidelines, which can be found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.

Clinical Field   Experience A: Math Lessons

Select an inclusive K-3 early childhood site where you will complete the field experience required for this course.  During the remaining weeks of your clinical field experience you will be working with a small group of students identified by your mentor teacher to help differentiate your mentor teachers lesson.  If you have permission from your mentor, you will also be asked to implement a lesson or mini-lesson to the class or small group in different areas of STEM. 

For this field experience, observe the classroom focusing on math, if possible. If not, observe another STEM area (science, engineering, or technology). Additionally, interview your mentor teacher and include the following questions:

What is your teaching philosophy for math instruction?

How do you provide a focus on hands-on practice and thinking mathematically?

In what way would you embed mathematics learning opportunities in the learning environment, as well as beyond the classroom?

What tools and resources (including technology) do you use to allow exploration and enhance conceptual understanding?

How do you incorporate communication as part of thinking mathematically?

How do you ensure an equal learning opportunity for all students, including those with exceptionalities?

In 250-500 words, summarize and reflect on the interview, including your discussion of strategies and specific examples of hands-on STEM lessons. Discuss how the lesson promoted problem-solving and critical thinking skills for students. Explain how the mentor teacher prompted the importance of communication as part of thinking mathematically. Discuss how the strategies used promote discussion, motivation, and engagement. Explain how you will use your findings in your future professional practice.

Support your reflection with 1-2 scholarly resources.

In addition to the above observations, interview, and reflection for this topic, speak with your mentor teacher about assisting during an upcoming science lesson or activity. This will help you prepare for the Topic 3 assignment. With your mentor teacher, identify a small group of students who would benefit from differentiation and engagement strategies during the upcoming science lesson or activity.   

Once you have identified the lesson and group you will be assisting with, continue to work with your mentor teacher on the following:

Identify areas of strengths and potential improvement for the small group.

Identify which state standards and learning objectives the lesson is focused on.

Based on the lesson and the groups characteristics, develop and share with your mentor teacher two differentiation and engagement strategies to utilize during the upcoming lesson or activity, making adjustments where needed.

Prepare to utilize the identified strategies with the small group during the agreed upon science lesson or activity.

Spend any remaining field experience hours for this topic observing and/or assisting your mentor teacher with instructional tasks in the classroom.

Submit your observation notes, interview notes, and reflection as one deliverable.  

APA format is not required, but solid academic writing is expected.

This assignment uses a rubric. Review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.

You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Refer to the for assistance.

Document the locations and hours you spend in the field on your Clinical Field Experience Verification Form.

Math – Reasoning or   Problem Solving Lesson Plan

Math is a strong focus in the STEM curriculum.  Education is always changing and the focus of STEM education is increasing across all grade levels. It is important for us as educators to set a mathematical foundation at an early age to inspire students interest in math and STEM.

Develop a math lesson plan for your field experience classroom using the Class Profile and the COE Lesson Plan Template. Begin by selecting a K-3 standard and learning outcomes from your states math standards for that grade level.  It is highly recommended that you select the same grade level as your practicum classroom and continue to use that grade throughout the course.

Your lesson plan should be completed in its entirety, with a focus on:

Mathematical instructional practices with learning progression.

Problem solving or reasoning techniques that promote critical and creative thinking.

How the students will communicate their thinking.

Incorporate the use technology.

As appropriate, concepts discussed with your mentor teacher during the field experience for this topic.

While APA style format is not required for the body of this assignment, solid academic writing is expected, and in-text citations and references should be presented using documentation guidelines, which can be found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.