Jewel's School Gems by Jewel Pastor
Fun STEM activities and ideas for busy elementary school teachers like you!
I have a confession to make. I’ve never heard of STEM until 2017. I know, I know. You’re probably shaking your head and thinking Jewel has been hiding under a rock for the longest time. Well, that was in the past — thanks to my innovative ex-principal who believed in me even though I was mostly clueless at the start…
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Recently, I have been asked by several readers: “Should I be doing STEM, STEAM or STREAM?” I wish I had an easy answer, but it will depend on several factors. Let’s start breaking it down by reviewing what each one is. STEM, STEAM, STREAM STEM — In simplest terms, STEM is curriculum which focuses on the skills needed to learn…
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Hello there! Today’s post is about Unplugged Coding Activities! I am so excited to share this post with you! I know you are going to love these resources as much as I do. What Are Unplugged Coding Activities? Unplugged Coding Activities sounds like a contradiction in terms, doesn’t it? Or at the very least, a backwards way of teaching a…
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Have you heard of my Bible STEM challenges? Well, I have been creating and uploading STEM challenges for different stories from the Bible since 2017. I’m proud to say that there were nothing like these Bible STEM resources when I uploaded my first set of Bible STEM challenges on the Teachers Pay Teachers website. Bible STEM Challenges Defined A STEM challenge is an activity that encourages students to research, design, build, test, and reflect in…
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I have some really exciting stuff to talk to you about today. Why is it exciting? Well, first because it is about awesome STEM challenges and second because it will save you money! And who doesn’t love saving money, right? You might have heard the old adage, “Teaching is the only profession where employees take things from home and bring…
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This is a post about what STEM is. It’s about what it means to STEM educators and authors who have dedicated much of their time in designing and creating meaningful resources for teachers like you. It’s about answering this question: What is STEM? So teachers who are new to STEM or are clueless about it will gain a better understanding…
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Several years ago, when STEM became official at my school, my first thought was how would I find time to do another thing. Our days are chock-full of required subject minutes, pacing guides to follow, test prep and testing itself. Teachers were already performing a juggling act and now I have to fit in STEM, too. Truth be told, I love science…
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A few years ago, when my friend first got word that her school would be embracing STEM, not everyone was pleased. Like many of you, she didn’t get much instruction or training, only that now they were supposed to “do it”. She and a colleague decided their best bet was to find something pre-packaged and quickly came across a picture…
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Are you trying out STEM activities for the first time? Or are you just looking for a STEM challenge that can be done during any time of the year? Well, here’s a free STEM activity that you might want to try with your students today. WHAT IS THIS FREE STEM ACTIVITY ALL ABOUT? This Bird Feeder FREE STEM Activity is perfect for…
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Hello, Friends! By now your classroom is decorated, you have gotten to know your students, most routines are in place, and you have become familiar with that new math or reading curriculum. But what about STEM? Are you comfortable with it? Do you feel excited when implementing STEM lessons or does it feel like one more thing has been added…
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As educators, we are always on the lookout for effective and engaging ways to enhance learning in our classrooms. One simple yet powerful tool that often gets overlooked is the humble word search. While it may seem like just a fun puzzle, word searches can be a valuable resource, especially in the science and STEM classroom. Let’s explore how and…
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Are you looking for an engaging way to help students master science vocabulary? Look no further than the classic game of Bingo! While Bingo is often associated with leisure and entertainment, it can also be a powerful educational tool, particularly when it comes to learning scientific terms. By incorporating Bingo into your lesson plans, you can create an interactive and…
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Hey there! Today, I want to share an exciting teaching approach that combines the universal language of emojis with the foundations of computer coding.????Introducing Secret Emoji Crack the Code!????This innovative method uses emojis to engage and prepare students for the world of computer programming, setting them on the path to become future coders.???? Why Use Emojis Why emojis, you might…
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As an elementary teacher, finding engaging and interactive resources to teach your students about animal life cycles can be a challenge. The Animal Life Cycle Interactive Wheel Crafts from Jewel’s School Gems are an excellent resource that can make teaching life cycles fun and exciting for your students. What Are Interactive Wheel Crafts? Interactive wheel crafts are interactive paper-based crafts…
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I have a riddle for you. What do 2nd graders and 5th graders (and the grades in between) all love? Hint: Ice cream (but that isn’t the right answer). The correct answer is my brand-new coloring pages and I guarantee that you and your students will love them too. Coloring isn’t just for kindergarten anymore. The coloring craze is attracting…
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Welcome to a new school year! For most teachers in the U.S., school has been in session for at least a few weeks and is looking more like the “old normal.” While we all breathe a collective sigh of relief, teachers are noticing the residual effects of the pandemic years on their students. There are the big things, of course,…
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