Have you ever looked up from helping a student or doing a task and wondered how your classroom became so loud so quickly? One minute, your students are excitedly discussing their designs or helping a teammate debug code. Next, someone is calling across the room for tape. Another group is
There is something exciting about teaching a special area class. Whether you teach STEM, technology, library, art, music, or another enrichment subject, you have the opportunity to create memorable experiences your students look forward to each week. The challenge, though, is that most of us don’t see our classes every
Starting a new elementary STEM class or program can feel exciting and completely overwhelming at the same time. You may be staring at a pile of random supplies, a blank lesson plan, a new schedule, and a room full of students who are ready to build something immediately. You want
I still think one of the hardest parts about teaching technology is figuring out what to teach next. One week, you are helping your students learn how to drag and drop correctly. The next week, you are trying to keep your early finishers busy without turning computer time into random
When I first became a STEM teacher, I remember looking around my STEM classroom and feeling like every teacher on social media seemed to have the perfect setup. Robots were rolling across tables. Giant makerspace carts overflowing with supplies. Bins filled with every building material imaginable. Meanwhile, I was standing
Planning a STEM camp can feel exciting at first. That is, until you sit down to actually plan it. Suddenly, you are trying to figure out the right number of activities to fill a week, how long each one should take, and how to keep your students engaged throughout. We
Spring hits, and we can feel it instantly. The energy shifts as the sunlight lingers a little longer. Suddenly, the winter bulletin board that felt cozy now feels tired. Our students are ready for something fresh. Honestly, so are we! This is the time of year when we want bulletin
If you’re looking for a simple way to boost engagement without reinventing your lesson plans, celebrating funny holidays in the classroom is one of the easiest and most joyful strategies you can use. These themed days instantly shift the energy, spark curiosity, and even make everyday academic skills feel fresh
If you’ve ever watched a student try to drag an image instead of copying it, you know just how important teaching copy and paste really is. It’s one of those small, simple actions that can make a big difference in how confidently our students navigate technology. Mastering copy and paste
If you’ve ever handed your students a handful of LEGOs, you know the magic that happens next. Their faces light up, imaginations take off, and the classroom hums with excitement. What I love most about using LEGOs (or any snap-together building blocks) in the classroom is that they make learning
When I think about coding for kids, I can’t help but get excited about the possibilities. Coding isn’t just about typing lines of code or creating flashy games. It’s about helping our kids develop problem-solving skills, logical thinking, and creativity. As STEM and technology teachers, we know that giving our
Have you ever noticed how quickly your students perk up the moment a robot rolls into the classroom? There’s something about those little flashing lights and beeps that instantly grabs attention. Coding mats take that excitement one step further by turning play into purposeful learning. Instead of just driving a
