Language Arts and Science Integration through Picture-Perfect Stem

School:: Osceola Elementary
Subject:: Science
Teacher:: Chanudet Gerace
: Third grade team (7 teachers)
Students Impacted:: 120
Grade:: Pre K - 5
Date:: July 27, 2019

Investor

Thank you to the following investor for funding this grant.

Suncoast Credit Union - $499.95

Impact to My Classroom

# of Students Impacted: 115

Picture Perfect Stem Lessons offer fiction and non-fiction picture books that align with engaging lessons and activities. Integrating science and literacy exposes students to information through books that are appealing and memorable! After the read aloud, students are then able to learn through hands on exploration, furthering their knowledge and allowing them to make connections between the text and the experiment.

Our third grade science unit on Energy requires students to be able to demonstrate that light travels in a straight line unit it strikes another object, changes mediums and can be reflected, refracted or absorbed. We read the books, What Did They See? and I See Myself, from the Picture Perfect book bundle. Students were exposed to both informational text and literature. Comprehension questions were posed throughout the reading and the interesting storylines helped students understand and remember the concepts better than using only a textbook. During the read aloud students made connections, questioned, visualized and inferred. They determined what was important and we transferred those ideas onto the white board. Student's then started cooperative exploration activities in which they used flashlights and mirrors to study light and how it travels. Throughout this learning experience, students showed interest, curiosity and ultimately a complete understanding of the concepts and skills taught.

grant photo

Original Grant Overview

Goal

With an increased concentration on reading, science seems to consistently fall behind. I am eager to integrate STEM into my day, but finding time is always a challenge. Picture-Perfect STEM Lessons engage students in STEM activities while they learn to read and read to learn.
The program has already been purchased by my school district. All the lessons are available to me, with the exception of the books. There is only one book kit available for checkout. In a district of over 20 schools, this book kit is not readily available. The program uses a remarkable variety of books to teach STEM concepts and reading’s comprehension strategies. This allows for a fully integrated science and reading lesson in one.

What will be done with my students

Students will use a variety of picture books to help engage them in STEM concepts and reading comprehension strategies. They will take part in hands on science experiments that correlate with the books.

Benefits to my students

Students will learn STEM concepts and reading comprehension strategies at the same time! Subject Integration allows for more of an opportunity to learn and grow, in more than one subject, but in one lesson. This is a huge time saver. Time to incorporate all subjects is an issue for all elementary teachers.

Budget Narrative

NSTA offers a collection of more than two dozen hardcover and softcover picture books used in the Picture-Perfect STEM Lessons. I am asking for the picture book set, as my district has already purchased the lessons. Thank you! https://www.nsta.org/store/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/PAK422X2

Items

#	Item	Cost
1	Picture-Perfect STEM Lessons, 3-5 and the Picture-Perfect STEM 3-5 Book Collection	$499.95
	Total:	$499.95

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