Alissa A. Lange, Kimberly Brenneman, Hagit Mano
Foreword by: Betty Zan
Publication Date: April 26, 2019
Pages: 144
Series: Early Childhood Education Series
This book is designed to build educators’ confidence and competence so they can bring STEM to life with young children. The authors encourage pre-K teachers to discover the value of engaging preschoolers in scientific inquiry, technological explorations, engineering challenges, and math experiences based on learning trajectories. They explain the big ideas in STEM, emphasizing teaching strategies that support these activities (such as language-rich STEM interactions), and describe ways to integrate concepts across disciplines. The text features research-based resources, examples of field-tested activities, and highlights from the classroom.
Drawing from a professional development model that was developed with funding from the National Science Foundation, this book is an essential resource for anyone who wants to support preschool children to be STEM thinkers and doers.
Book Features:
Alissa A. Lange is an associate professor of early childhood education at East Tennessee State University. Kimberly Brenneman is program officer for education at the Heising-Simons Foundation. Hagit Mano is an early childhood STEM specialist at East Tennessee State University.
“…provides preschool teachers with an important foundation of effective practices as they explore teaching through STEM. The inclusion of fully developed lessons, effective differentiation strategies (especially for dual language learners), and resources make this book a valuable tool for any preschool classroom.”
—Teachers College Record
“I have read a lot of really good early childhood science education books over the years, and as far as I am concerned, this is the best one yet. It is clear that the authors care passionately about young children, respect their abilities to engage with STEM content, and recognize that preschoolers are capable of so much more than they are given credit for. This book paints a rich picture of all the many ways that preschoolers can engage with big ideas in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics that are authentic, meaningful, and accurate.”
—From the Foreword by Betty Zan, University of Northern Iowa
“Teaching STEM in the Preschool Classroom is a book that excellently fulfills a need. The authors show that the important ideas of STEM are within every teacher’s and child’s grasp. They show how the STEM domains connect to each other—and connect to children. They show how learning progresses, providing playful, fun, and effective learning experiences that go beyond the all-too-common 'cute ideas.' This is a valuable resource for everyone who works with young children.”
—Douglas Clements, Kennedy Endowed Chair in Early Childhood Learning, Morgridge College of Education, University of Denver
“Lange, Brenneman, and Mano weave together the wisdom of practice, scholarship, and deep respect for early education, producing a compelling invitation to engage children in STEM learning experiences. Speaking directly to teachers, the authors teach STEM content while sharing their strategies for robust and developmentally appropriate instructional practice. This book is the real deal!” —Beth Graue, Sorenson Professor of Early Childhood Education and director of the Center for Research on Early Childhood Education, University of Wisconsin–Madison
Contents
Foreword Betty Zan ix
Acknowledgments xiii
Part I: Introduction and Background
1. What Is STEM and Why Teach It in Preschool? 1
Why This Book? 1
What Is STEM? 3
What Are the Standards for STEM? 5
Why Teach STEM in Preschool? 6
Why Include Specific Supports for Differentiation? 7
How Will This Book Help Improve Our Teaching? 8
Conclusion 9
2. Teaching Strategies 10
Overview 11
Reflecting on Our Own Experiences with STEM Teaching 12
Strategies for Teaching Preschool STEM 14
What Happens—Reports from the Classroom 28
Conclusion 29
Part II: Teaching STEM
3. Science 33
What Is Science in Preschool? 33
What Is the Content of Science? 34
What Are Scientific Inquiry and Science Practices? 36
Big Ideas for Supporting Science Learners 37
Try It Out! 42
Spotlight on Practice 47
Explore More 48
Bringing It Home . . . and Back 50
More Great STEM Stuff 50
4. Technology 53
So How Do We Define Technology? 54
Technology As a Progression 55
Big Ideas for Supporting Technology Learners 55
Try It Out! 58
Spotlight on Practice 64
Explore More 68
Bringing it Home . . . and Back 69
More Great STEM Stuff 69
5. Engineering 71
What Is Engineering in Preschool? 71
What Is the Content of Engineering? 71
What Is the Engineering Design Process? 74
Big Ideas for Supporting Engineering Learners 76
Try It Out! 78
Spotlight on Practice 84
Explore More 86
Bringing it Home . . . and Back 86
More Great STEM Stuff 87
6. Math 89
What Is Math in Preschool? 89
What Is the Content of Math? 91
What Are Math Processes? 94
How Does Math Develop in Young Children? 94
Big Ideas for Supporting Math Learners 95
Try It Out! 103
Spotlight on Practice 108
Explore More 110
Bringing it Home . . . and Back 110
More Great STEM Stuff 111
Appendix: Example Materials That Promote STEM Learning Across Preschool Classroom Areas 113
References 117
Index 121
About the Authors 127
Professors: Request an Exam Copy
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