STEM April/May and the end of the Co-op Year

I didn't get pictures of all the STEM fun we had in April and May before we ended co-op for the year, but I thought I'd share a few of activities we did.  

In combination with a Fancy Nancy book about the stars as well as another neat constellations book we own, I taught our Pre-K/Kindergarten co-op class about the stars and constellations.  To prep, I drew several constellations on pieces of paper.  The kids used toothpicks and marshmallows to try to build the constellations on their own.  

 

Then using star stickers, they made their own constellations on a paper.  Each child arranged the stars in the first letter of their name.  Then we connected them with lines so we could better see the letter "constellations".  

And last, I let them have fun building their own unique constellations with the toothpicks and marshmallows.  Some tried for animals like tigers while some made buildings or shapes.  

This project involved quite a bit of prep because I had to make up a STEM challenge for each mystery of the Rosary, but the kids really enjoyed it.  You can see some examples from the pictures, but basically I went through the mysteries and found some aspect of the mystery that could be "built" like the "pillar" for the Scourging at the Pillar".  

The students were given a large handful of legos and had to come up with creative ways to construct the building challenge for each mystery.  I read them a book about the Rosary and the mysteries (which depict the life of Jesus) before we began so they'd be more familiar with the them.  We also said a decade of the Rosary together, practicing our prayers and sitting still.  

But after praying, it was all active !  Most of the kids had time to try several different Rosary mystery challenges before we had to clean up.  

I was thoroughly impressed with the unique designs and ideas they came up with. 

We also made a huge poster with a "walking rosary".  The kids colored the circles for each Our Father and Hail Mary and enjoyed making them colorful and creative. 

And here are the kids on the last day of co-op for the year with our amazing pastor.  He is so supportive of the group and is such a joy.  He loves being around the kids, making them laugh, and praying with them.  

 All in all, a wonderful co-op year for us.  

We are excited for next year and all that it holds!!

STEM activities-- November and December

We joined a homeschool co-op at our parish this fall and eventually, I decided to volunteer to teach the 4-5 year olds.  They were constantly getting their "class" switched up with a different mom teacher each week and no real theme to their class, while they watched their older siblings enjoy a STEM class, a music class, and nature study/art class.  So I took on the role of  "classroom" teacher once again and I'm now organizing and teaching a 4-5 year STEM class.   

The wonderful thing about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) is that it encompasses a lot and with just a few materials and some imagination and perseverence, the kids can come up with a lot.  It also spans across the age groups.  The same materials can be used for all ages, but the age and knowledge can merely enhance the outcome.

*Most of the ideas I'm sharing I found on Pinterest or other blogs*  

The first week I taught, we did a Chicka Chicka Boom Boom book and STEM pairing.  I read the story to them and then using a variety of building blocks and popsicle sticks, they worked on building "trees".  After their tree was complete, they added magnetic alphabet letters to see if their tree could hold the weight any better than the one in the story.  

 Along a similar vein, we tried to be creative using cups, popsicle sticks, and blocks to build the tallest tower.  The idea was to use all the materials in their pile, which meant they had to get creative.  The popsicle sticks especially threw the kids for a loop, but we brainstormed, and I saw some really good uses of them eventually.  

More pictures from our Chicka Chicka Boom Boom building

The second week, I told the kids the story of the 3 Little Pigs.  They loved helping me out with the huffing and puffing and blowing everything down.  

We then moved to a table and everyone drew a little pig.  

 Our next step was to build the pig a sturdy house using toothpicks and marshmallows.  (they were allowed to bring home their marshmallows if they didn't eat any while building)  After houses were constructed, we experimented to see if our wolf (a blow dryer) could blow the houses over.  

 

I was really intrigued by the way the kids approached this.  One student eventually came up with a great idea (that I had not thought of at all) to use two toothpicks between the marshmallows to make it twice as strong.  

              

              

Our kids did their own variations of the toothpicks and marshmallows at home.  Kayla reviewed her shapes and the others built houses....and ate them.  

 

 Next we tried using straws and a limited amount of scotch tape to make straw houses.  We couldn't make much.  We tried the same with (popsicle) sticks.  After that point was made, we used legos to build houses.  And once again, the wolf tried to blow them down but (of course) to no avail because they were solid and firm.  

 

 

For our December class, I planned a bunch of Christmas tree STEM projects.  

First we made "trees" out of paper cups and then "decorated" our trees with ornaments (puff balls)

 

 Then we made Christmas trees using only a ball of play dough and popsicle sticks.  

Sticker stars were our tree toppers and ornaments

 

 

And our final tree project was to make a stable tree out of gumdrops and toothpicks.  

 

 The kids definitely needed some pointers at times, but I am just amazed with all these projects, just how innovative they can be.  And boy, do they have a good time.   

 

Our kids love that I'm teaching this class because then we often times do some of the projects at home after the class is over.  They were only too happy to use up the rest of the gumdrops and build trees at home one morning.  

 

Sophie needed (lots) of assistance and Ava needed just a little, but Elise and Kayla just took off on their own creative spectrum.  It was really fun to see what they each came up with.  Each unique, each creative.  

 

 

 Sophie had a harder time building her tree, but she sure didn't have a bit of trouble taking it apart and eating it.  (see below- look at that concentration).  

 

 

Aren't their creations marvelous?  Once Ava got her base, she really took off and her end product is so cute and I love her tree topper gumdrop.  Elise LOVED this project (look at her eyes all lit up) and was super creative.  Kayla had a neat approach and hers was definitely the tallest and very sturdy.  

What fun we've been having with co-op and STEM.  

Can't wait to start our next session after the new year!