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Lately, I have been really interested in integrating more STEM activities in my classroom. I love that my students are engaged, and they love the hands-on aspect of STEM.
I just completed a bundle 4 of STEM activities for December. You can check them out in my TPT store HERE.
What I love most about these STEM challenges is that they are presented to students in the form of a letter from the STEM elf. In each letter to the students the elf states the problem for the students and gives them the list of materials with which they may use in order to solve the problem.
The bundle includes:
Christmas Tree Challenge: Students must build a Christmas tree out of plastic cups.
Santa's Sleigh: Students must build a wind powered sleigh for Santa out of paper and a straw.
Silent Jingle Bells: Students must figure out a way to silence a jingle bell.
Make a Dreidel: Students must create a dreidel for Hanukah using only the materials provided.
If you have your students learn about Christmas around the world be sure to check out my Holidays Around the World STEM activities. Learn about how they celebrate the holidays in America, England, Israel, Germany, and Sweden.
This product includes all of my Christmas STEM challenges and connects them to holiday traditions in other countries. Click on the picture to learn more.
For other STEM activities check out the STEM section of my TPT store.
I hope you have found this blog post helpful. To stay connected with Carly and Adam's teaching tips and classroom freebies be sure to follow us on Facebook, Pinterest, Teachers Pay Teachers, and subscribe to our blog!
We would love to hear your thoughts. Please leave your feedback in the comments. We can't wait to connect with you!
-Carly
I have been a teacher for six years. During my time teaching I can't recall a time that I have ever taken a vacation day.
Sick days, I can remember a few of those, but I have never taken a day off just because. Well, that is, not until yesterday.
As a teacher I know the burden and guilt that comes from taking time off of work. Not to mention the fact that writing sub plans can be a pain.
However, as a teacher it is important that we make time for our families and that we make time for ourselves. After all if we are coming to school tired and stressed out we will not be in the right frame of mind to help our students anyway.
This realization is one that has been a long time coming for me. It actually took a promotion this year from teacher to teacher mom to help me get my priorities in order. As a part of this priority shift I have been spending less time at school and more time at home with my family (and I feel happier and less stressed because of it).
In fact the reason I took a day off was so I could spend time with my daughter. I was also able to get caught up on some TPT projects.
Teaching is a tough profession, and I know that some of you may be reading this thinking there is no way I can afford to take time off of work. Well, I am saying that you CANNOT afford to NOT take time off of work.
In fact I challenge you this school year to take at least one vacation day or mental health day. Let me know how it goes. I guarantee you will return to work refreshed and that you will be a better teacher for taking the time for yourself.
I hope you have found this blog post helpful. To stay connected with Carly and Adam's teaching tips and classroom freebies be sure to follow us on Facebook, Pinterest, Teachers Pay Teachers, and subscribe to our blog!
We would love to hear your thoughts. Please leave your feedback in the comments. We can't wait to connect with you!
-Carly
