Full Description
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. The text features research-based resources, examples of field-tested activities, and highlights from the classroom.
Contents
Contents
ForewordBetty 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 1
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
