Jewel's School Gems by Jewel Pastor
Fun STEM activities and ideas for busy elementary school teachers like you!
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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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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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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We’ve all heard it. Set expectations right at the start. Though I agree that classroom management should be at the top of a teacher’s list at the beginning of the year, I also believe that first day back at school should be fun for students. Science classes are no exception. There’s nothing worse than making kids feel that this awesome…
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Eels, sharks, manatees, dolphins, fish and shellfish – all of these are ocean animals. Ocean animals and the habitat they live in (the ocean!) are vitally important to humans. While ocean creatures and their ocean habitats are essential in keeping various ecosystems in balance, many ocean animals also serve as food to billions of humans (and other animals) worldwide. These are…
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If you could describe each year of your teaching life with a song, what would your playlist look like? After coming up with my list below, I realized mine is a mix of old and new upbeat tunes, plus a lot of feel-good and inspirational songs. These songs very well describe the experiences I’ve gone through all these years. Here…
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It’s been a while since my last blog post. Like you, I have been dealing with All. The. Things. When I finally sat down to write this blog post, there were many ideas I wanted to share, but I decided to write about STEM Choice Boards, and in a minute, you will see why! Never in my wildest dreams could…
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Earth Day is a wonderful day of education and awareness of environmental protection and sustainability. Introduced in 1970 by Senator Nelson of Wisconsin, the first Earth Day was a huge success attended by approximately 20 million people at different sites across the United States. Earth Day is now recognized globally on April 22 by 193 countries and events are coordinated…
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It always shocks me when I walk into my classroom the day after Halloween and see “November” on my calendar. Already? October is so packed with special days that I am never quite ready for it to be November. My planning has holes in it and I am still trying to figure out how to fit everything in! This year…
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Are you ready for International Dot Day this year? Why not have your students design and build a paper spinner?
This Dot Paper Spinner STEM Challenge is a fun, creative, and engaging way to get your students designing, building, and working together during International Dot Day. It’s a great companion activity for the book, The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds.
Here’s what a couple of teachers have to say about this activity:
Beth C.
September 16, 2019
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Great, simple STEM activity for students. Allows for students to put their own "spin" on their color wheels.
Carel N.
October 18, 2020
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Students were engaged and loved this STEM challenge.
Click this link to see it on TpT: www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Paper-Spinner-Dot-Day-STEM-Challenge-The-Dot-by-Peter-Reynold...
You can also get this STEM activity and almost 200 MORE resources from my Jewel’s School Gems Club website. Check it out today: www.jewelschoolgemsclub.com/jewels-school-gems-club-membership/
Credit for Video:
Music: Farewell
Musician: icons8.com/music/
Are you looking for items to decorate your MakerSpace or STEM Lab with? 🎨
Save time and money while making sure you have a bright, engaging, and inviting MakerSpace or STEM lab with my MakerSpace decor bundle! 🙌🏼
This HUGE bundle consists of 8 SETS OF STEM CLASSROOM/MAKERSPACE decors, labels, and signs:
✅MakerSpace Sign
✅STEM/STEAM/STREAM Sign
✅Engineering Design Process Posters
✅Editable STEM Supplies Labels
✅STEM Roles/Jobs and Table Numbers
✅MakerSpace Inspirational Quotes Posters
✅STEAM Alphabet Posters
✅Editable MakerSpace Rules Posters
These ink-friendly posters, labels, and signs can be used to decorate your MakerSpace, as well as make your STEM/STEAM/STREAM lab/classroom more organized. These resources can also help familiarize your students with terms used in STEM activities, the Engineering Design Process, group activities, and science experiments.👍🏻
Here’s what a couple of happy teachers have to say:
💜Our Makerspace looks so much more inspiring. The bright pictures and quotes were just what we needed to help our little makers start creating in this new space.
💜My makerspace classroom looks BEAUTIFUL and organized with these signs.
Grab all these and more for only $37 a year when you become a member of Jewel’s School Gems Club! Click here >>> www.jewelschoolgemsclub.com/jewels-school-gems-club-membership/
