STEM Reflection

     The very first week of class Mrs. Weathers told us that we would be teaching a STEAM lesson. She was super excited about it so how could we not be? I sat and listened to her enthusiastically tell us about this lesson and the more she talked the more intimidated I was by it! It seemed like a super advanced concept for a not so advanced teacher candidate. But Mrs. Weathers always knows best and assures us that there is nothing to worry about (on a daily basis) so I knew she would help when the time came. This week, she sent us an article to read about STEAM activities. The article is WONDERFUL! After reading it, I feel reassured and ready to teach my STEAM lesson!

     This article talked about the many ways to make an ordinary lesson a STEAM lesson. One portion in particular says that we do not have to reinvent the whole lesson, just look at it through a different lens. That is a wonderful way to look at a STEAM lesson! I was trying to make this so hard when really it is just integrating these wonderful hands-on activities to the lessons I already plan to teach!    
     The article also says that you have to enlist the help of others in your school. We do not have our own classrooms yet, but incorporating my cooperating teacher is something that I had not thought of! She already has the experience and I know that she will be a wonderful asset to me in building my lesson. After reading this I also learned that I can use my professors as well to help me. This article was full of ideas and reassuring facts for the struggling teacher. STEAM is no longer a scary topic to avoid and worry about later, I am excited to get started! Thank you for the article Mrs. Weathers, you'll never know how much it helped! 

Here's the link! http://www.weareteachers.com/blogs/post/2015/04/03/stem-it's-elementary