The I Heart STEAM Teacher Podcast Bonnie Kirkley

New Year... New STEM and STEAM resources on the way!

On the first episode of 2023, Matthias Kirschner joins us all the way from Germany! Matthias is the President of the Free Software Foundation in Europe, and he's been on this journey since 2004. Why do we need to know more about the Free Software Foundation? Teachers... their mission is to promote popular and professional education for all.

It's an organization with the learner and the educator as a priority! See more about the FSFE mission here. I understand that, quite frankly, this area can be intimidating for educators around the world. Because of this, using, creating, and learning more software and the latest technology misses our students that are not intimidated at all in most cases! How do we fix this?

Matthias has just published Ada and Zangeman that speaks to ALL in a wonderful story. It totally is a movie quality book... Will it come? I hope so! The character development and educational aspects for the use of technology and software by us, the users, has me wanting to pick up the phone and call Dreamworks! However, this is not all the mission for Matthias and the FSFE.

Matthias has worked with students in camps and absolutely loves to teach and share with children and teens. Ada and Zangeman is a true reflection of his passion! Check out the FSFE repository with open educational resources just for the book here. Find more information about the FSFE on twitter!

If you are feeling a little intimidating about teaching students more about the concepts of hardware and software, use All About Technology from the I Heart STEAM store that is a complete STEAM project unit: Upper Grades Version and Tiny Minds STEAM Version.

Grab a free STEAM Classroom Start Up Kit to help you even more with your technology adventures! 

Family STEAM time is always fun. We love challenging each other and creating together, but this family STEAM is totally a new one for me!

Meet Lobee Learning.. Mom, Tandy Moye and Son, John Moye have taken their best STEAM skills and combined them into an AMAZING platform for teachers, families, homeschoolers, and MORE! Not only will Lobee Learning take you through project-based learning like never before, but they are also going to make sure that you have all the tools in hand! That's right! This is a STEAM platform that comes with ALL the lesson materials.

John explained to us the admiration he has for his mom and how opened curiousity with her students. He left the world of business to bring her thinking and his business skills to create a simply mesmerizing platform. Look, I love a good messy build. The build style spelling of Lobee in the logo had me at HELLO!

Take a listen. It's not too often we get a good family competition on the show! I can't wait to start my first Lobee Learning project!

And speaking of fun projects.. PLEASE tell me you have gotten the Elf Shelf Science Investigation from the I Heart STEAM store! When you walk in the doors after Thanksgiving Break.. the excitement and good behavior will begin! By the way, are you on the emailing list? Every single member just received an entire FREEBIE package of winter resources! Go ahead and get on their today! More freebies on the way!

How do we fit everything in during November and December?
Staying on track with instructionHoliday activitiesBenchmark testingSTEAM?Use this episode to guide your classroom through the holidays and find time for STEAM!

The Classroom Elf Investigation kills two birds with one stone: behavior and STEAM! Keep a No Wheels Field Trip on hand for those random timeframes! Enjoy a holiday project like German Christmas Markets!

Use these holiday gift guides for your classroom!
STEM Gift GuideClassroom Christmas ListRemember there is no way to get it all done! The best time in the classroom is always those that make an impact!

Don't forget to get on the email list for a special treat!

Project-based learning, the beginning driving question, classroom essential questions, enduring understandings.. This list can be overwhelming! Today we break it down and make it right!

If you do something in the classroom just for a leader and not the students, it won't matter much. You have to KNOW why you do something with students and know they need it. Let's get the whole question dilemma sorted out!

Check out some great driving questions from our friends at Rock by Rock!

In this episode, we talk about improving student connections to questions through inquiry practice. My favorite strategy: See, Think, Wonder ! Get a little more info right here on the blog and grab the latest resource for this strategy right here! To get even more inquiry practice in, take your students on a virtual investigation journey. This one is hot off the presses!

Free resources always pick me up! Use these STEAM explanation posters for better understanding in the classroom, and hold your horses... I will be sending out 4 C posters to the email list soon. Make sure you are on it!

Until next time, Do you I Heart STEAM, too?

Real world projects for the classroom can be so overwhelming. Is it time to bring the ultimate hack for real world projects in the classroom?
Yes! On today's episode, meet Jeff Lynch and Sungae Yang. Real teachers   have finally designed a real world project platform that only requires one click! It's an all in one everything platform that incorporates science, ela, math, social-emotional learning, and... you name it, it has it for your elementary students! Introducing Rock by Rock.
The only way to really grasp the magnitude of Rock by Rock is to visit this platform and see for yourself! Create a free account and get started!
Subscribe to stay up to dat this month with introductions of the many projects on the platform! Before you get started with projects in the classroom, make sure you give a good introduction to STEAM! Take a look at a few tips and amazing resources for that! Grab a set of STEAM posters for free!

Teach this word to your students this year without fail! Join me today and find out the most important word to teach, a plan for teaching it, and resources for your classroom!

This isn't just a STEM word! It will help with every challenge in your classroom! I am bringing my favorite guest for teaching this word.. the one and only YODA! My favorite quotes from Yoda can be found here!
 
Yoda Classroom Resources:
Yoda Quote Wall DecorYoda BabyYoda Pop-It PadYoda Stickers for Rewards
When it comes to really taking a deep dive into the challenges of STEM and STEAM, I love using All About the 4 C's! Teaching creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and communication in the classroom will help with many STEM challenges! 

In today's episode, I will share a list of books to use for this word. Find them below:
Walt's Imagination: The Life of Walt Disney  by Doreen RappaportOprah Winfrey: A Kid's Book About Believing in Yourself by Mary NhinAlbert Einstein: A Kid's Book About Thinking and Using Your Imagination by Mary NhinThe Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert ColesTimeless Thomas: How Thomas Edison Changed Our Lives by Gene BarettaJoin me next week with our special guests, Jeff Lynch and Sungae Yang,  to start off the Rock by Rock September! Take a look now!

Get ready for the best STEAM University ever! Join the waitlist!
As always, do you I Heart STEAM, too?