Wondering if a station rotation is worth having in a STEM space? Why even get started with this instructional model? While stations don’t have to be used every class time (they definitely can!), it’s worth adding into your instructional model. Below are the benefits I’ve seen in my K-5 STEM classes when using a station rotation.
Station Rotation | #1 More Experiences in Less Time
Lack of time is a common thread in the teacher community. To maximize the time you are given, stations are a great way to do this. Instead of working on one project during class time, students have opportunities to experience more.
With stations, many bite-sized activities can happen over the course of a couple of days. Experiencing robots, a building challenge, making scientific observations and attacking a math challenge can all get done at once.
When planning units, think about the lessons that aren’t as intense and save those for a station rotation. These experiences are still meaningful, but don’t require an entire class time to complete it.
Station Rotation | #2 Less Materials Needed
Buying quality STEM supplies isn’t cheap! Of course, buying supplies isn’t always needed to get started with STEM. [You can read about how to start your Makerspace by clicking here]
When purchasing materials is an option, don’t feel obligated to buy a class set. Or even half a class set! Station rotations make it possible when you only have 4-6 of an item.
In my STEM classroom, I only have 5 Bee-Bot robots since they are expensive. However, that has been plenty in my classroom since they are a high quality robot for primary students and they can be used at a station easily.
Station Rotation | #3 Opportunities for Small Groups
There are many opportunities when students need to be explicitly taught concepts in STEM. Sometimes, this can be difficult in a whole group setting.
With a station rotation, this can naturally bring an opportunity to pull small groups. Or, if you don’t want to take students away from the experiences, have one of the stations be a teacher-led station.
Some teacher-led ideas can be:
teaching a new tech skill
introducing a new app
completing a first step in a bigger project
catching up on past projects
Station Rotation | #4 Easy to Manage
The biggest goal when hosting station rotations is to build student independence when exploring STEM concepts. Once this is implemented in the classroom, station rotations are fairly easy to manage.
With minimal materials and student directed, this is a great time as a teacher to facilitate the learning. Helping individual students can often be easier during this time since students all have a task they are working on.
So what are some management tips?
Stay tuned for the next blog post in this series: Tips for STEM Classroom Management During Centers
Station Rotation | Let Me Help You Plan!
Planning out your STEM Rotations doesn’t have to be difficult. Click HERE to grab your FREE STEM Rotation Planning Guide. Inside are templates and ideas to get you started with implementing your first round of STEM Rotations!
What questions do you have about these activities? Feel free to direct message me on Instagram, @naomimeredith_ or send me an email, contactnaomimeredith(at)gmail.com, and I would love to chat with you!
More About the Author, Naomi Meredith
Naomi Meredith is a former classroom teacher turned current K-5 STEM teacher and coach. Her role not only includes teaching over 500 students in her school, but also leading professional development and co-teaching with teachers to help them integrate STEM & Technology.
With over a decade of experience along with a M.Ed. in STEM Leadership and STEM certificate, she helps teachers navigate the best practices, strategies and tools out there.
She truly believes that any teacher out there can learn how to use STEM & Technology in their classrooms effectively. She can’t wait to connect with you and be your guide!
Are you wondering how to start a makerspace in your classroom? What are some simple steps when getting started? Whether you are a classroom teacher or teaching in a STEM space, these go-to tips can help you set up a Makerspace by the end of the week!
Come and join in on the fun on Facebook, or watch the recording of this episode.
How to Start a Makerspace | Watch the recording down below:
How to Start a Makerspace | #1 Space
Before collecting materials, create a designated space where Makerspace materials and access will be stored in the classroom. By choosing the location, this will help determine how much materials you can actually have, not the other way around.
In this space, ensure that there is room for bins, shelf and/or drawers that are easily accessible for the kids. The goal is to have students be independent in this space; when choosing materials and cleaning up.
Also decide if this Makerspace will be an actual work area or a grab and go type of system. With my K-5 STEM classes, the grab and go method has been successful. However, some classrooms can be more conducive to the Makerspace being an isolated station.
How to Start a Makerspace | #2 Storage
Once the designated location has been chosen, decide how materials are going to be stored. Materials can pile up quickly and look like a trash heap! While having an abundance of resources is helpful, you don't want your classroom to look like another episode of Hoarders.
Keep like items together instead of a free for all. Items like thin cardboard, cardboard tubes and egg cartons can have their own bins. Smaller knick-knacks like beads, googly eyes, and buttons can each have their own smaller container inside of a larger drawer.
Having a system as to where items go, again, helps with the student independence and cleanup.
How to Start a Makerspace | #3 Labels
Create labels that include the name and the picture of the items in that location. Even for older students, I've found this method to be extremely helpful. Even for me as a teacher when I find random items in the classroom!
Also, think about how labels can be added and removed easily. Printing, cutting, then laminating the labels, and attaching with Velcro can be an easy method. Stocks of some items, especially specialty items, can change quickly.
Having a stock of material labels on hand will save time in the long run. That way, extra labels don't need to printed and created on the fly. In fact, this would be a wonderful classroom job! Designate a students to be in charge of organizing the Makerspace and labels at the end of each week.
How to Start a Makerspace | #4 Collect
Now that overall systems are put into place, it's time to collect materials. Since the majority of items in the space are recycled, families are usually very willing to gather materials at home. Sending home a list of requests, print or digitally, is extremely helpful.
Also, make sure to let families know to clean out any food containers and take extra bits off toilet paper rolls. Seems like common sense, but trust me, it's not!
I even create my own Makerspace collection system at home and bring to school. It isn't pretty, but we all know that those sparkling water boxes are magic for building. Unsure of what type of items work well for Makerspace? Just out my STEM Supply List blog post HERE.
As the Makerspace is being used, you'll notice which items are popular with students. Thin cardboard, masking tape and cardboard tubes run out the quickest in my room! Sending out supply requests every so often can help replenish the space.
Also, enlist in your co-workers! There have been times when I've been in need of bubble wrap and have gotten piles of it the next day.
Keeping a donation box by your classroom door and by the front of the school can also help. Students, teachers and families will be reminded when they walk by. This also serves as a great holding area for when you're ready to organize the new materials. Make the donation box extra fancy by using a recycled box!
What questions do you have about setting up your Makerspace? Have any other ideas to share? Feel free to direct message me on Instagram, @naomimeredith_ or send me an email, contactnaomimeredith(at)gmail.com, and I would love to chat with you!
When I first started teaching, communicating with parents via email wasn’t a “thing” in my district. Of course, I got a few emails from my co-workers and administration, but my email life was pretty manageable. Then I switched to a district where emails get flown at me left and right. I knew I needed to find a way to streamline my digital communication outlets, specifically in my email.
Managing your email inbox doesn't have to be complicated or overwhelming. Learn how to organize your email and stay on top of all of the important messages.
Come and join in on the fun on Facebook, or watch the recording of this episode.
Here are the key takeaways from this episode:
How to Organize Your Email | Watch the recording down below:
Email Groups
This can be time consuming to set up, however, once it's complete, you'll be thanking your past self! Create groups of people that you typically send to the most; parent lists, specialist teams and grade level teams.
That way when you to send out a mass email, type in a couple of letters of the group name and it inserts everyone’s in the email box.
Address Emails All (Work Day) Long
Add your work email app onto your phone (not connect it to the mail app that's already there.) For example, my school district uses Outlook, so that specific app is loaded onto my phone.
Then, go into the settings and play around with the notifications. Set specific work office hours (also included within my email signature, see tips below) and only have email notifications go on during those hours.
Turn email notifications off during the nights and weekends! It will be hard at first not emailing people back at 8:00pm on a Friday. Along with that, don't answer emails after those work hours.
Most emails can wait. If it's an emergency, they can call. Setting up email boundaries for yourself is extremely important and necessary for work-life balance.
Also, don't wait until the end of the day to delete your emails. This takes a large portion of your time that can be used for other things. Yes, usually a couple require longer reponses. However, most can be addressed in the moment and can be done quickly on your phone.
Delete!
When my email notifications are on, I address emails immediately. I have emails connect to my Apple Watch (which you can read more ways to use your Apple Watch in your classroom HERE).
A large portion of the emails that come in I can delete right away. After I scan the email, I immediately delete.
How to Organize Your Email: Folders for Everything
I also set up A LOT of folders to organize emails as they come in. Some people set their folders up, emails come in, it will go straight to the folder for you and you don’t have to do anything about it. I don't usually use this method since I like reading the email first and organizing it second. Strive for only have 10-15 emails in the inbox at all times. (Most tips about this next.)
When naming folders, add in the school year range at the end. That way, at the end of the year, the emails are still organized but you can “hide” the folders from my sidebar. This makes the list a lot cleaner. I also don’t ever delete my trash can just in case I need to search for something within there.
Think about typical emails that are sent regularly; weekly newsletters, student updates, technology troubleshooting and tutoring sessions.
Create templates emails that can be inserted as “canned responses”. Some email providers have options to save templates. If not, save in your drafts, then copy & paste the pre-written message. Everything is saved and formatted how you like, and can be used right away. This saves so much time in the long run!
For technology troubleshooting emails, I have an on-going Google Slide that I'll add to throughout the year when common issues arise. It has step-by-step directions, typically with visuals, to help troubleshoot the issue.
When I receive emails about these common issues, I will download the particular slide that shows the steps (click here to learn how to download Google Slides), then attach that to the email. Again, a major time-saver and I'm not rewriting the steps every time.
Upgraded Email Signature
It can be tiring typing your name after every single email. This seems silly, but it actually all that time adds up.
I quickly figured out how to make an email signature, but it was really ugly. {And those of you who know me, I like to make most things pretty.} It's actually possible to have an image as the email signature with all the info you want as well! Also, adding in your picture helps families and those in the district put a face to the name.
Finally have an email signature created but not sure how to add it in your email? Once added correctly into Outlook, the signature will be automatically added after the body of the email. Follow these easy steps on how to do this in Outlook.
How to Change Outlook Email Signature Video Tutorial
Having an email signature is essential. This allows your audience to know exactly who you are and other ways to contact you in the future. It’s also an opportunity to add a face to the name. With your email signature, you want to make sure people know who you are when it’s best to reach you and other qualifications that make you stand-out and be memorable.
After changing the size dimensions of the Google Slide and editing, this can then be downloaded and inserted into your email platform. If for some reason the image turns out blurry after downloading, screenshot the image. This can sometimes get a more clear image for your email.
Email signatures can be added at the end of all of the message automatically. This isn’t something you need to do manually every single time.
Don’t feel like formatting the dimensions of the Google Slide on your own? I’ve saved you time with my Photo Email Signature Template. Just open, edit, download, and add!
How to Use a Digital Interactive Notebook in the Classroom
When I was a classroom teacher, I needed a way to integrate non-fiction resources to help build background about topics for literacy and science.
There were plenty of books in the school library that we were using, but I also wanted students to access information using online resources.
Soon, I came up with a digital interactive notebook template that I could send to students with a variety of resources to engage and learn from.
These can be an asset in your classroom and be used in any content area.
Digital Interactive Notebook: What is it?
A digital interactive notebook is a way to combine all of your digital resources for students in one file that is already organized for you! Students have access to all the links and places to respond within one paperless platform.
There are still benefits to interactive notebooks that involve cutting and pasting. Having digital options allows for less prep time and assigning quickly to students.
Using this technology option also helps build students’ digital literacy skill; copy & paste, resizing images and toggling between website tabs are just a few skills students will continue to practice.
Digital Interactive Notebook: How Do I Prepare One?
I prefer creating my templates in Google Slides and save the template as the background. I then add the moveable and editable pieces on top that I want students to access.
The same templates I create in Slides can also be downloaded and used in Seesaw or Powerpoint.
If you are using a premade template, there are some steps I typically go through to make sure the content fits my needs.
Delete, add & duplicate slide templates that you think will work best for your content
Layer & link your content over the top
Delete any unwanted text boxes and tables. The design in the background is ‘glued down’ to protect the rights of the original artists
If you are worried about the original being shared with students, make a master copy of your edited notebook as a backup.
Share your final notebook with your students on the digital platform of your choice
If possible, the checklist on the last slide works well printed out. However, this isn’t necessary and can be filled out digitally.
Digital Interactive Notebook: How do I assign it?
There are many ways to share digital interactive notebooks easily with students. Here are some of my go-to ways:
Share the link with students in Google Classroom, Seesaw, Schoology or other platforms your school uses!
When posting in Google Classroom, make sure to click ‘Make a Copy for each student’ before posting!
Create an activity in Seesaw. With Seesaw Plus & For Schools, you can create multi-page activities that work well for digital interactive notebooks.
When using PowerPoint, share in Microsoft OneDrive, Microsoft Teams using other Microsoft tools.
Digital Interactive Notebook: Are there templates I can use?
I have created a growing collection of templates that you can edit and use to fit your content needs.
These sides are already organized for:
Before exploration reflection
Vocabulary
Videos
Photograph Observations
Graphs & Analysis
Individual Articles
Paired Selections & Comparison
Maps & Noticings
Podcasts & Reflection
Scientific Process
Engineering Design Process
Data Analysis based on Observations
Labeling an Image
Analyzing quotations
Digital Creation
As a bonus, there are student checklists to help students keep track of their progress for each slide. There are also video tutorials to share with students (or use while you're creating) to help you with Google/PowerPoint creating.
Creating & Editing a Text Box
Using the Shape and Line Tools
Inserting Your Own Images
Inserting Images from Google
Adding & Duplicating Slides
Each template includes various digital file types to meet your sharing needs: Google Slides, PowerPoint & Seesaw.
All Seesaw files are pre-loaded into activities. Upon purchase, you'll get the share link to copy & edit and add to your Seesaw Activity library, then assign to students. I saved you A LOT of steps!
Digital Interactive Notebooks: Are there any that are already created for me?
Yes! I also have content specific digital interactive notebooks that have all the resources linked inside for you. Check out my growing collection here!
This post contains affiliate links. When purchasing through the link, it’s no extra cost to you, but I get a kick-back in return.
What is Dot Day?
Dot Day is an international celebration of inspiration and creativity. After reading the book The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds, help students express their creativity in a variety of ways by creating their own ‘dot’.
Creativity is such a large component of success in STEM. Here are 3 activities that I tried that went well in my K-5 STEM classes that your students will love as well!
These were all one day, 45 minute lessons, which is just enough time to celebrate! After reading or listening to The Dot, try one of these experiences with your class.
Dot Day Ideas #1: Augmented Reality
I taught this lesson to my Kindergarten and 1st grade classes. This lesson requires tablets and having the free app, Quiver, downloaded before-hand.
Next, print out the free Dot Day coloring sheet. Make sure to have extra printed because students will want to color more than one! I printed mine 4/page to save paper and to make it easier for students to capture the whole image on their tablet camera.
This dot will be transformed into augmented reality; it will look like the object is in OUR world.
Students will color their dot page. Markers work best and really make the colors stand out. Within the app, they will hold the camera over their dot and see it magically appear in the classroom!
Dot Day Ideas #2: Spirograph Dots
I taught this lesson to my 2nd and 3rd grade classes.
There is so much beauty and symmetry to well designed spirographs. This lesson helps students so much with their touchpad control.
If you don’t want to use the digital version, I’ve snagged plastic spirograph sets from Dollar Tree before.
Explain to students what spirographs are. You can use the anchor chart from this post I made that you can use with your students to help explain this concept!
Finally, students will create their spirograph dot. If they want to save their design, taking a screenshot works well and uploading to the platform of your choice (Seesaw, Flipgrid, Google Classroom…).
Dot Day Ideas #3: Dot Launchers
I taught this lesson with 4th & 5th grades.
The Dash robot is a wonderful asset to have in your classroom. If you happen to have the launcher accessory, this lesson is for you!
Students will launch their ‘dot’ (the ball), aiming towards a STEM identity word that they view themselves as. Some words include: mathematician, innovator and creator.
Aiming for a target with the launchers is more challenging than you think! If possible, have students in groups of 3 and assign roles and have them rotate through:
Driver: Tapping the code on the device
Navigator: Ensuring that they agree with the code and give suggestions
Retriever: Finding the balls once they are released
This Back to School STEM Activities guide is to help you find resources that will be perfect for your STEM & Technology instruction. Whether you are teaching in-person, hybrid or remotely, I have resources already created to meet your needs.
Back to School STEM Activities Shopping Guide: How to Get the Most Out of It
Print this out to read it like a magazine or view digitally
The clickable Table of Contents will direct you to a topic you’re interested in learning about more
All images are clickable and will take you directly to the product they are show
All images also have a corresponding number. Find the corresponding description for that page to read more about it
These STEM classroom decorations are easy to put together, are purposeful and add a sense style. Scroll down to see the different options to add to your classroom decor.
Take a different path away from traditional alphabet posters and add a technology twist. Each letter of the alphabet is highlighted with an important STEM word, picture and definition.
Throughout the year, add various content specific vocabulary words under each heading. Students will be able to access the words during various tasks.
Make the word more interactive by adhering a long piece of ribbon on the back of the header letter. When creating vocabulary word cards, attach a clothespin on the back. After a word is finished being introduced to the class, clip the word onto the ribbon.
If students need to spell a specific word during an activity, they are able to unclip the word, use it as a reference, and clip the word back when finished.
#2 STEM Classroom Decorations: Engineering Design Process Poster PDF | Vocabulary & Clipart
What is it?
While the Scientific Method is still important to teach, the Engineering Design Process is equally important as well. This is a process that engineers use in their daily careers to plan, invent and think through solving problems.
Not all projects are suitable for the Engineering Design Process. However, many projects can be updated and solved through these steps. Even if not all steps are addressed throughout a challenge, students get accustomed to a flow that will help them be more successful.
#3 STEM Classroom Decorations: Paper & Cardboard Construction Ideas
What is it?
Once students get the freedom to build and create, their ideas fly through the roof. Teaching students structural techniques can be valuable to help make their creations stranger.
This isn’t saying to tell students HOW to build their invention. Rather, teach students strategies they can implement into their construction design.
For example, during a 1st grade animal project, I wanted students to implement an L-brace in their design. I gave them cardboard and taught them how to create this technique. What helped immensely is I filmed my hands creating an L-brace, then played it on a loop.
While students were building, they were able to re-watch the video as often as needed. Also when a student was absent, I had this mini lesson available and the student could be independent in their work.
Have books of building ideas in a designated location in the classroom; a library format or special display. Students love flipping through these to gather ideas.
A 3D poster with paper & cardboard construction examples is also helpful. Students can see how these techniques should look and try to replicate them in their inventions.
Where can I get it?
Google search ‘cardboard attachment posters' and ‘3d paper sculpture techniques' and you'll find a lot of examples to choose from
Having large characters like this in the STEM classroom can be a great reference for specific activities. It also can be a meeting place marker; “When you’re done cleaning, go stand by the giant Dash!”
#5 STEM Classroom Decorations: Classroom Rules for Technology | Rules for Technology in the Classroom
What is it?
It’s easy to assume that all students know how to use technology appropriately since they have been using it from an early age. However, technology used for academic purposes as opposed to recreational are entirely different entities.
Students need to be taught how to show respect when using the tool and also how to use it when working with others. Classroom rules and expectations I teach the first month of STEM, along with these other topics you can read about here.
During back to school or even when a new technology tool is introduced, students need to have clear routines and expectations set in place.
3 tips when creating classroom rules for technology:
When a guest walks into your classroom, is it clear what your space is all about? As mentioned above, be very intentional about what hangs on your walls.
Text features are constantly taught to students year after year to help them gain information. Play off of this concept and add large, bold words in important areas in your room.
You don’t need to be an expert at drawing bubble letters to create crisp displays. Create giant letters using word art on Google Slides or PowerPoint. Create one letter for each page. Print without a full onto the paper of your choice. Finally, cut out and hang.
A fixed mindset is the belief that you have a certain amount of intelligence and can’t surpass that knowledge.
A growth mindset is thinking that you aren’t given a certain amount of intelligence, it’s something you have to work towards. With more effort and time, you can get better at something.
Likewise, these sayings can be applied to any regular classroom as well! STEM challenges have a place in any classroom setting. Growth mindset does as well!
If you’re a specials teacher reading this, you know that it’s different from a general classroom teacher when making connections with students. Most specials see all the kids in the school over the course of the month! Feel free to read what my typical week looks like in a K-5 STEM role.
One way that helped build connections in my classroom is celebrating STEM Style. What is STEM Style? When a shirt explicitly shows a concept that relates to science, technology, engineering or math, that counts as STEM Style.
To keep track of all the daily varieties, I have a spot on the floor marked “Smile for STEM Style!” that student stand on. This helps with having a clear background that shows off the classroom and not random children.
I’ll take a quick picture on my phone, then later upload all the photos into the digital picture frame right next to where the students line up at the end of class.
Where can I get it?
Here is an inexpensive digital picture frame that works great! It does require a flash drive for pictures to be stored. For management, I’ll upload the photos to a Google Drive folder, then download the folder onto the flash drive. This is an Amazon Associate link. It doesn't cost you anything extra, but when you purchase through my link, I receive a kick-back in return.
Often, I’ll even upload the photo to the child’s Seesaw or Google Classroom account. That has helped tremendously with my memory of 500+ kids’ names and gives families a snapshot of their child’s day.
Positive affirmations are so important when developing a sense of personal identity. For students to pursue a STEM career, they need to see themselves as having that role. These STEM identity lightbulbs are perfect for hanging on the classroom door, bulletin board or around a mirror. There are even matching bookmarks that students can take home weekly to build up their personal STEM identity.
#10 STEM Classroom Decorating Ideas: Black Women in STEM Collage
What is it?
For me, transitioning from being a former classroom teacher to a K-5 STEM teacher, this is an area I am growing at in my STEM space. As a white woman, I know that I have a one sided experience.
I took time to read, research and reflect. I found that there were a limited amount of diverse resource out there for students to connect to in STEM. So, I created one, and continuing to create; for my students and for yours.
While this isn’t a full comprehensive list, here are 10 Black Women in STEM your students should know. The world of STEM professions is very one-sided and geared towards a certain type of person. We need to provide our students to see heroes in STEM that represent their race, religion, and gender to help change that projection.
#11 STEM Classroom Decorating Ideas: Prototype and Patent Images
What is it?
How have some inventions become so popular today? Why are there copy-cats out there, but they aren’t quite the same as the original? Well, there is this fancy thing out there called a ‘patent’ that helps protect the rights of the original design once the patent is applied. Think of all of the amazing inventions presented on Shark Tank.
When applying for a patent, inventors need to include images with every single part labeled and explained. There are so many available to view and print, which makes for great classroom decorations. These also help students see high-quality examples of what invention plans should look like with their explicit details. Also, it’s fun to see where some of their favorite toys got their start.
Where can I get it?
Free- conduct a quick Google Search and see what pops up. Some favorite patents to look for are: LEGO, board games, and NASA
7 Tips to Creating a Classroom Website for Teachers
Majority of businesses these days have a website; it’s the digital version of a business card. Think of your classroom the same way by creating a classroom website for teachers that works.
Building a classroom website that you can actually use is easier than you think. No coding skills are required. In fact, your classroom website should be a working document and something that you (the classroom teacher), the students and their families should be interacting with year round.
This isn’t a “create in August and never look at it again” kind of thing. Let your website fo the talking and answer questions that you get emailed about the most.
Classroom Website for Teachers: #1 Let them learn about you
Typically when you hear about a new product, place or service, you head their website and click on the ‘About’ section first. Create an ‘About Me’ section on your classroom website; typically your first page tab. The families of your new students are going to want to do the same thing. They want to know who their kid is spending their time with all day! Share a short typed bio, but also try other mediums as well!
Classroom teachers get A LOT of emails daily and it can be hard to keep track of all the information to relay it effectively to parents. Create the ‘Home’ page of your website as a place to store all of the weekly announcements.
Send your weekly email out to parents to direct them to your website for the new announcements for the week. This will help families be accustomed to going to your site to answer their questions and have one place to keep track of everything.
Over the course of the school year, families will be looking to your website first because they know you most likely have the information posted there. In turn, less emails filling up your inbox!
Classroom Website for Teachers #3 A Hub for your lessons
Make this website work for you. Create a ‘Lessons’ tab where you post videos, presentations & digital materials that go along with your lessons. This will help keep all of your materials in one place as you are teaching.
This can also help students share the lesson with their families. Also, help families stay connected as to what they are learning in class (and even be an extra homework helper). You will also be grateful for this section on your website when students are absent for a few days or if your principal wants to know what your class is up to for the week.
#4 Get rid of those paper schedules
When I was a classroom teacher, I remember all of the piles of paper I would print for parents to take home the first week. One of those was a schedule, and of course, there would be changes throughout the year.
In turn, I quickly realized that I didn’t need to print paper schedules for families any more and could easily post it on my website. That way, when changes came up, I could quickly update my website in a couple of minutes. No more waiting at the copier to print 25 schedules that most likely end up in the trash or get lost in backpacks!
Classroom Website for Teachers #5 No more homework mysteries
It’s important for students to be responsible for knowing what their homework is daily/each week. Having students write down assignments is an important skill. However, what if they left early for the day? What if the bell rang and they couldn’t write down all the information? What if the students left their planner at school?
There are endless scenarios that can happen. Simplify homework communication by creating a ‘Homework’ tab on your classroom website. Post the assignment and any relevant resources that might help them accomplish the task. Parents WILL THANK YOU!
When assigning homework, direct students to your website. Depending on the age of your students, let them access the information independently to help them learn how to use a website to gain information.
Try using Google Classroom as a way to house all your assignments while referring to them on your website.
Google Classroom is also a great place to house all of your assignments. You can refer students to your website for general information, then go to the platform to get all the materials. If you need help with Google Classroom, I have a free, 3 part video series you can access here.
An additional tip is to think of ways you can make part of your homework digital. An easy way to start is with your weekly reading log. We want to hold students accountable for their reading, but have them respond digitally. Again, less paper everyone has to manage and the end goal is the same.
#6 Provide resources for when you’re not around
When you show the class an awesome video clip for your science lesson or start reading a new read aloud book, often kids want to relay that information back to their families. However, by the end of the day, they might forget what you actually shared with them!
Create a ‘Resource’ tab on your website. Post relevant links, videos, online games and printables for students to access at home. Again, these can be a great homework helper! This will also bring the content to life for families as to what you are teaching all day.
#7 Streamline monthly team newsletters
‘If your school requires a monthly team newsletter, or even if you want to start one, this is another great opportunity to utilize your website. Your team is most likely going to type the newsletter anyway, might as well post it on your classroom website.
Honestly, this may be the least looked at part of your website, but you have it documented and all in one place. What will also be nice is when you create your classroom website the next school year, all of the information will be easily stored in one place.
Next steps:
You might be thinking, “Ok Naomi, this all sounds great, but how do I set this up and make sure my website looks nice? Oh, and I don’t want to use a platform that I have to pay for or is super complicated!”
Friend, I had the same exact comments when I was a classroom teacher! With trial and error, I figured out a classroom website system that worked for me, my students and their families.
I want YOU to have access to this process to save you hours of time when researching best website practices, and actually get to creating your content. No coding skills are required!
I’ll give you step-by-step videos and checklists to guide you through the website creation process. In addition, I’ll also help you create a classroom website for teachers like you that you’ll actually use all year. Long gone are the days of creating a classroom website in August and never looking at it again until the following school year!
While this isn't a full comprehensive list, here are 10 Black Women in STEM your students should know. The world of STEM professions is very one-sided and geared towards a certain type of person. We need to provide our students to see heroes in STEM that represent their race, religion, and gender to help change that projection.
“While the numbers of minorities and women are growing, the workforce in STEM-related field remains predominantly white, 89 percent, and male, 72 percent…Over the last 25 years, these rates of participation in the STEM workforce represent a 67 percent increase for black and Hispanics, from 6.6 to 11 percent, and 24 percent increase for women, from 22.9 to 28.4 percent.”
For me, transitioning from being a former classroom teacher to a K-5 STEM teacher, this is an area I am growing at in my STEM space. As a white woman, I know that I have a one sided experience.
I took time to read, research and reflect. I found that there were a limited amount of diverse resource out there for students to connect to in STEM. So, I created one, and continuing to create; for my students and for yours.
Below are the 10 Black Women highlighted in this free resource. Don't feel like you need to copy & paste this all; I made this all pretty for you to print and share digitally, which you can find here!
Black Women in STEM #1: Aprille Ericsson-Jackson
Most Known for: Aerospace Engineer at NASA Goddard
Highlights about her:
Began working with robotics, then later worked on satellite design and other projects
Reaches out and speaks around the world and is passionate about more diversity within engineering roles
Has her Ph.D in mechanical engineering from Howard University & doctorate in engineering from NASA
Most known for: NASA Astronaut, teacher, physician & tech founder
Highlights about her:
First African-American woman in space; space shuttle Endeavor
Worked in the Peace Corps while teaching as a medical officer and researching
Has a college degree in chemical engineering, Afro and African -American studies (Stanford University) and a doctorate in medicine (Cornell University)
Most known for: Founder of online platform, NewMe Accelerator
Highlights about her:
Helps minority led companies raise funds to build their business capital
Involved with Kuyere!, a project that provides solar energy to homes in Africa
Has won many awards for her difference in technology & diversity
Resources for kids to learn more about her:
Use this YouTube Video Link to hear Angela talk about how and why she created her tech company, NewME and how she is helping with diversity disparity with minorities within technology
Has had many important scientific jobs including director of the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture and Administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service
Received degrees from North Carolina State University and American University
Has a PhD in paper science
Got a college scholarship in high-jumping to help pay for her college degree and three-time ACC track champion
Resources for kids to learn more about her:
This whole video is GREAT! And she is talking to kids but it’s long; to hear Chavonda talk about her story, play from 2:07-7:25
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