Jewel's School Gems by Jewel Pastor

Fun STEM activities and ideas for busy elementary school teachers like you!

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11 GREAT POSTS YOU NEED TO READ ABOUT STARTING A MAKERSPACE by Jewel's School Gems | Looking at starting a MakerSpace? Here are 11 great posts on MakerSpaces that can help you in your quest to start a MakerSpace or STEM lab.

11 GREAT POSTS YOU NEED TO READ ABOUT STARTING A MAKERSPACE

While shopping at Target today, I overheard a conversation between two women I assume taught STEM. They had snatched up all the tubs with the red and blue lids, so I felt justified in eavesdropping. Red lids said, “I’m getting these for my MakerSpace!”  Blue lids said, “Me, too! Even though I don’t even know how to start one!” Which…
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DO YOU KNOW HOW TO DO TEAM BUILDING WITHOUT TEARS? by JEWEL'S SCHOOL GEMS | Have your experiences with team building been less than inspiring? Well, you can dig in your heels and get ready to take these actionable steps.

DO YOU KNOW HOW TO DO TEAM BUILDING WITHOUT TEARS?

“My kids can’t work in teams.” This is the number one objection I hear from teachers regarding group STEM challenges. There is confusion. Sometimes there is crying. There can also be chaos. And not just the lower grades! Upper elementary educators are experiencing this tendency also. Nothing gets done. Some kids fool around. Many don’t follow directions. Have your experiences…
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WHAT IS STEAM EDUCATION? STEAM Is What Happens When You Add the “A” by Jewel's School Gems | Do you want to transform some of your STEM activities to STEAM, but are not sure what this entails? I faced that question as well, and after doing a whole bunch of research, I put together this handy little guide for my colleagues. It really clarified things for them, so I am sharing it here to help you as well.

WHAT IS STEAM? STEAM Is What Happens When You Add the “A”

Do you want to transform some of your STEM activities to STEAM, but are not sure what this entails? I faced that question as well, and after doing a whole bunch of research, I put together this handy little guide for my colleagues. It really clarified things for them, so I am sharing it here to help you as well….
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THE BEGINNER’S GUIDE FOR THE CLUELESS STEM TEACHER: The Best STEM Explanations from 8 Pioneering Professionals by Jewel Pastor of Jewel's School Gems | What is STEM? I’m so excited to share with you the wisdom that 8 generous STEM educators have shared for teachers who want clarity as to what STEM is.

WHAT IS STEM? The Best STEM Explanations from 8 Pioneering Professionals

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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10 MATH AND SCIENCE ACTIVITIES TO PREVENT SUMMER SLIDE By Jewel Pastor of Jewel's School Gems |Luckily, there are many Math and Science activities that can be done over the summer break to make sure kids do more than the usual reading of books. As a teacher, you can recommend these activities to parents or do them with your own kids. Here are 10 Math and Science activities that you can do to help prevent summer slide in children.

10 MATH AND SCIENCE ACTIVITIES TO PREVENT THE SUMMER SLIDE

What exactly does the term “summer slide” mean? Unfortunately, it’s not a playground equipment that you can buy for your students’ or own kids’ enjoyment during summer. Summer slide actually refers to the loss of academic skills – especially math and literacy skills – that occurs during summer break. We hear again and again how kids are encouraged to read…
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HOW TO EASILY FIT IN STEM AND NOT LEAVE ANYTHING ELSE OUT by Jewel's School Gems | Try one or all of the ideas I am sharing with you, and with a little brainstorming, you will probably find many more ways to incorporate STEM in your everyday teaching.

HOW TO EASILY FIT IN STEM AND NOT LEAVE ANYTHING ELSE OUT

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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  • 5 BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES FOR THE STEM CLASSROOM (OR ANY CLASSROOM FOR THAT MATTER) by Jewel’s School Gems | No matter if you have an observation coming up, a particularly troublesome student, a challenging class or just want to improve your classroom management skills, these five positive behavior management ideas, strategies, and resources for elementary kids will be sure to help you have the best year ever! #stem
  • SEASONAL Unplugged Coding Activities BUNDLE (Fall/Autumn, Winter, Spring, and Summer) by Jewel’s School Gems | Looking for seasonal unplugged coding activities for kids from kindergarten to 2nd grade? This product bundle of FOUR unplugged coding activities contains printables that will develop necessary skills in programming or coding, such as problem solving and critical thinking, as well as collaboration and communication skills. Click to see them on TpT.
  • Back to School STEM Activities and Challenges for Kids in the Elementary Classroom by Jewel’s School Gems | Start your first day or week of school right with these fun Back to School STEM engineering design challenges. Challenge your students to design and build a School Bus, a Backpack, and a Schoolhouse with peers. Children will also develop their problem solving, critical thinking, collaboration, and communication skills with these tasks. #backtoschoolstemactivities
  • This monthly set contains 12 STEM Choice Boards that will be really useful in in a classroom or library Makerspace. Each STEM Choice Board represents a month and comes with nine choices for a build (with the middle one being a FREE CHOICE). You can use these STEM Choice Boards for morning work, group work, homework, early finisher activity, extension/enrichment work, and so much MORE. This resource can surely make STEM activities for kids in the classroom more fun. #stemchoiceboards
  • WHAT IS STEM? The Best STEM Explanations from 8 Pioneering Professionals by Jewel's School Gems | This is a blog post about what STEM is. It’s about what it means to STEM educators who have dedicated much of their time in designing and creating meaningful resources, such as fun STEM activities for kids in the elementary classroom. 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. #whatisstem
  • 5 STEM MYTHS EVERYBODY REALLY SHOULD IGNORE AND WHY by Jewel's School Gems | t’s such a shame that so many educators are missing out on how wonderful STEM/STEAM is for engaging learners of all ages because of numerous STEM myths that have been around for some time now. To hopefully encourage and empower you to try (or continue) STEM in your classroom, here are 5 of numerous STEM myths that I would like to help clear up for you. #stem
  • Bible Stories STEM Challenge and Activity (Jonah and the Whale Activities) | Have you ever wondered if STEM and Bible stories can be combined? Well, the answer is YES. Try my Jonah and the Fish STEM Challenge and see how fun and engaging the study of Bible stories can be when combined with STEM! Click HERE! #biblestoriesstem #religiouseducation #jonahandthefish
  • Team Building Back to School STEM Activity from the Beginning of the Year STEM Bundle by Jewel’s School Gems. This fun Apple Tower Team Building STEM Challenge is perfect for the first day or week of back to school! Challenge your students to design and build a free-standing apple tower out of apples and straws. Elementary children will not only design and build, but also develop and improve teamwork in the classroom. #backtoschoolstemactivities #teambuildingstemactivities
  • Back to School STEM Activities for Kids by Jewel’s School Gems. This fun Backpack STEM Challenge is perfect for the first day or week of back to school! Challenge your students to design and build a backpack out of recyclable materials. Elementary children will also develop their creativity, collaboration, communication, and critical thinking skills in the classroom with this STEM project. #backtoschoolstemactivities
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STEM by Jewel's School Gems shared a post.

3 hours ago

STEM by Jewel's School Gems

Great idea 👍🏼

Teach it DIY
I love this Jenga alternative. It's so easy to make, it's cheap and the kids will play with it for hours. ... See MoreSee Less

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STEM by Jewel's School Gems shared a First day of Kindergarden.

9 hours ago

STEM by Jewel's School Gems

Awww. I cried too after dropping off my daughter on her first day 😢😘😄

Rico Freeman
Mom drops her son off to school for his first day of kindergarden and she just can't take it 😩😍😂😂 ... See MoreSee Less

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STEM by Jewel's School Gems shared a post.

1 day ago

STEM by Jewel's School Gems

Great move, LEGO 👍🏼

LEGO
Wood you believe the LEGO Ideas Treehouse 🌳 has the most plant-based elements in one set ... 185‼️ 😱🙌 ... See MoreSee Less

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STEM by Jewel's School Gems shared a post.

1 day ago

STEM by Jewel's School Gems

Must have been a really busy day 😄Out of all the Back To School pictures we received here at Barrhead News HQ, this has got to be our favourite. 😂

Jillian's daughter, Lucie, who started her first day back to P2, clearly had a more eventful day than all of us on Monday! 😎

Don't forget to get your copy of the Barrhead News for Back To School pictures before they're sold out! 📸🍎🎉 ... See MoreSee Less

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