STEM Units 1, 2, 3: Preschoolers in every classroom will be instructed in 6 units each year; these units of instruction represent the school’s comprehensive plan for high-quality, STEM-based inquiry, which are taught in all classrooms. These 6 units of STEM are different than the previous year’s units so that children are being exposed to 12 units of STEM over a 2-year cycle of learning. Additionally, there are weeks in between units when students can study interest-based topics determined by the teacher.
We structure our teaching staff into four teams, and together they collaboratively develop units of inquiry, integrating STEM principles, the Design Thinking Process, Creative Curriculum, Colorado Department of Education standards for preschool learning, high-quality preschool environmental components, and the Teaching Strategies GOLD assessment. The three teams then share their planning tools, materials, templates, and resources with one another, with each team developing the unit even further than the previous team.
During the first half of the school year, we will be focusing our STEM units and design challenges on these topics, in various orders, depending on your child’s teacher. We are seeking any experts from our parents, or connections our parents have, to support, extend, and enrich the learning opportunities with guest speakers, demonstrations, models, simulations, etc. while at school. Please talk to your child’s teacher if you have ideas for any of these topics!
Here’s the first half of the year program of STEM for the ’18-’19 school year:
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Sept 3 – Oct 5 |
Oct 8 – Nov 16 |
Nov 26 – Dec 20 |
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Ms. Kiersten, Ms. Amy |
Family & Friends |
Simple Machines |
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle |
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Ms. Sarah, Ms. Jess, and Ms. Tori |
Life Cycles of plants and insects |
Family & Friends |
Simple Machines |
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Ms. Piper, Ms. Holly, and Ms. Marie |
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle |
Buildings |
Music |
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Ms. Nicky, Ms. Jo, and Ms. Rachel |
Buildings |
Music |
Life Cycles of plants and insects |