STEM Lesson Essentials, Grades 3-8: Integrating Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

by Jo Anne Vasquez, Michael Comer, Cary Sneider

"STEM Lesson Essentials moves beyond the rhetoric and provides knowledge, tools, models, and examples that make STEM a reality of teaching and learning in classrooms."
-Rodger Bybee, Executive Director (Retired), Biological Sciences Curriculum Study Want to know how to implement authentic STEM teaching and learning into your classroom? STEM Lesson Essentials provides all the tools and strategies you'll need to design integrated, interdisciplinary STEM lessons and units that are relevant and exciting to your students. With clear definitions of both STEM and STEM literacy, the authors argue that STEM in itself is not a curriculum, but rather a way of organizing and delivering instruction by weaving the four disciplines together in intentional ways. Rather than adding two new subjects to the curriculum, the engineering and technology practices can instead be blended into existing math and science lessons in ways that engage students and help them master 21 st century skills. STEM Lesson Essentials shows teachers how to begin the STEM integration journey Explicit connections are made among the STEM practices, including the Common Core Standards for Mathematical Practice and the Framework for K-12 Science Education, helping you easily recognize ways in which STEM lessons can engage students in multiple standards at the same time. With ideas that are practical and achievable in any classroom, STEM Lesson Essentials will give you the confidence and knowledge to weave engineering and technology concepts into your math and science curriculum. STEM teaching doesn't have to be hard. You just have to get started. Try it out with STEM Lesson Essentials , and watch student understanding, achievement, and motivation soar.

Genres: Stem, Nonfiction, Education, Science

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 17, 2013

Reviews

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

STEM: Lesson Essentials is a great resource for teachers who are implementing a STEM approach to teaching. It is a practical guide for teachers to use and refer to when planning lessons and units.

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good introduction to STEM. It goes over what STEM is and how to build project based learning units.

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Given the purpose of this (required reading for a STEM course to renew my teaching certificate)-- it served just fine. Plenty of ideas to get me going on essays and STEM lesson design.

[Ramona · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some interesting ideas for implementing STEM practices. However, I’m not a proponent of STEM for ALL and ALL schools for STEM.

[Kimberly Rogers Merrill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful resource for writing lesson plans that incorporate STEM standards

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This text is extremely thorough in providing rationale, strategies, and resources for creating quality STEM education initiatives, whether in a classroom, school, or district. I myself found this book incredibly helpful in identifying crucial pieces of STEM education beyond the integration of subjects (for example, collaboration, 21st-century skills, and project-based learning) which aren't immediately apparent to those attempting STEM education. The authors provide a lengthy list of resources for designing STEM curricula and documents to support teachers in the curriculum design process. I would highly recommend this book to any teacher desiring to make STEM education a part of their elementary or middle school classroom.

[Jessica Jang · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome resource!

[Lisa Taylor]

I loved this book! I can't wait to use it next year in my classroom.