I've been holding onto a stack of new STEM books and can't wait to share them with you today. These will be books you can use in the classroom to introduce concepts like simple machines, matter, and more. New STEM Books for Grades K - 3 How to Seesaws Go Up and Down? A Book About Simple Machines by Jennifer Shand, illustrated by Srimalie Bassani SCIENCE - SIMPLE MACHINES The … [Read more...]
Our Family Loved This Addition Card Game
Our entire family of four gives two thumbs up each (that makes 8!) for the new addition card game Check the Fridge! A Shameless Game of Bluffing from MelonRind, the game company that made the super fun money game, Clumsy Thief. (And thank you to MelonRind for this review copy.) We're pretty picky about which games stay in the game night rotation. Check the Fridge is a win for us. We loved it … [Read more...]
Best STEM (STEAM) Chapter Books for Kids
I'm so excited to see more STEM and STEAM chapter books (science, technology, engineering, art, and math). The stories on today's list make STEM enticing to readers. If it isn't already, that is. Whether or not your kids are even interested in STEM, see what develops after reading one of the book on this list. Maybe an interest will grow? I've divided this into two sections: beginning … [Read more...]
What’s So Important About STEM: A Chat with Hank Green
You probably know Hank Green of The Vlog Brothers and a ton of other cool nerdy sites (NerdFighteria being one). We spoke last week about what parents need to know about STEM, STEM careers, and fostering a love of inquiry. Green is currently partnering with Emerson whose whole goal is to try to figure out how to create the next generation of who they can hire. They're looking for engineers and … [Read more...]
Big List of Counting and Number Books for Kids
As kids read books from this big list of counting and number books, they'll begin to develop number sense and numeracy skills that are foundational in math. These books make counting and numbers playful and fun. That's why I like them for children. See for yourself! Big List of Counting and Number Books for Kids The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle Timeless because it's one … [Read more...]
Exciting Addition Math Game: Clumsy Thief
Want a fun math game to practice mental math? Clumsy Thief is an exciting, fast-paced game that makes addition pairs to 100 exciting and believe it or not, hilarious. Because there's stealing involved. (Hence the thief part of the game. Which makes everything more fun.) Clumsy Thief Card Game Players are dealt 7 cards each. Each player look for card pairs that add up to 100. (50 + 50, 80 … [Read more...]
Hands-On Addition Activity from 100 Fun and Easy Learning Games for Kids
The Educator's Spin On It bloggers, Kim Vij and Amanda Boyarshinov just published a great book for young learners called 100 Fun and Easy Learning Games for Kids. The photographs are gorgeous, the directions clear, and the ideas engaging. I love the variety of activities in the different subjects of reading, writing, math, science, art, music and global studies. One of the many fun … [Read more...]
Engaging Math Dice Multiplication Game
As you know, I'm a huge fan of Think Fun's learning games for kids. Their latest math game, Math Dice Chase, is an engaging game for kids practicing multiplication skills. It's like Hot Potato but with multiplication and pairs of dice. I think it's best for 3 to 6 players and highly recommend it for classrooms. Math Dice Chase Multiplication Game How to Play Math Dice Chase 1. Sit in a … [Read more...]
Cool New STEM Apps for Brainiacs
I've found tons of cool new STEM apps for your brainiac children ages 2 to 13! STEM means these apps are about science, engineering, technology, and math. STEM normally means that one or more of those subjects are in the content -- but for this post, I'm including all apps that have any STEM skills, even if they're straight science or math. Each app has links to the Apple Store and the Android … [Read more...]
Möbi Math Facts Game Review
Möbi is a crossword style game for math facts --basic addition, subtraction, multiplication, and addition. I say basic because the numbers only go to 12 so you're limited in the equations you can create. Although you're competing against an opponent or opponents, it's almost like your own game since you work at your own pace to make equations and get rid of all your blue number … [Read more...]
STEAM Education Activity: Bungee Barbie
Get out your Barbies (or any other action figures) for a super easy but tons of fun STEAM / STEM activity. Big thanks to my 10-year old's amazing science teacher, Chris Lazartic, for this fun science (physics,) engineering, and math (measurement,) activity idea! If you want the lesson plans for this activity, visit the NCTM website. STEAM Education Activity: Bungee Barbie Your goal is to … [Read more...]
The Benefits of Mind Mapping STEM Concepts
Mind mapping STEM concepts using the Post-it® Super Sticky Notes, Flags, and Tabs from the Post-it® Brand World of Color Rio de Janeiro collection allows students to visually see the connections between ideas or information. In a mind map, each fact or idea is written down with lines connecting to other ideas or facts. This is an important tool when learning Although these subjects will … [Read more...]