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A STEM Start to the School Year!

Activities and ideas to kick your year off.

A STEM Start tothe School Year!Activities and ideas to kick your year off.

Beginning of the year activities.

Below you will find resources and activities for starting your year. If you find a resource you want to use with your class just go to "FILE" then "MAKE A COPY" and an editable version will be saved in your Google Drive.
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Set the tone for Science!

The following introductory activities can set the tone for the school year by presenting an accurate and engaging perspective on what science is really about.

K-5 Resources

6-12 Resources

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Teach Lab Safety Skills

Teach lab safety with this awesome Breakout Edu created by Paul Williams.

Lab Safety and Skills Breakout

Lock Combos and Handout

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TEN BACK TO SCHOOL ACTIVITIES TO WELCOME YOUR CLASS AND BREAK THE ICE

Here are ten activities, some from Steve Spangler Science, others from teacher bloggers to make the transition from the lazy days of summer back into the learning environment.

Ten Back to School Science Activities


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Caring for Our Devices!

This presentation walks students through the proper way to use chromebooks during class.

Chromebook Care Presentation

Kahoot Quiz

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Chromebook Skills

Teach your students chromebook skills right from the start with this presentation created by Ryan O'Donnell and Ben Cogswell.

Link to presentation

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Keyboard Shortcuts

Shortcuts are very handy especially when you're using a trackpad! Print or blow up these keyboard shortcut posters to use with your kids (and teachers =)

Chromebook Keyboard Shortcuts

Macbook Keyboard Shortcuts

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Digital Citizenship Superhero Training

It's important to begin teaching good digital citizenship skills right from the start. Use this HyperDoc to begin the discussion early on.

Super Digital Citizen HyperDoc

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Intro to Coding

This intro to coding HyperDoc is a fun way to begin coding and also includes a digital breakout at the end which is a fun way to teach our students productive struggle. They WILL get it but it will take some work!

Intro to Coding HyperDoc 3-5

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Introducing Coding

The hour of code might not be until December but it's never too early to start teaching coding.

Intro to Coding HyperDoc for K-2

Teaching the Engineering Design process early on will set your students up for a year of investigation and problem solving skills they will blow you away with! Explore and adapt any of these HyperDocs to fit the needs of your students.

University of Arkansas STEM Site

The mission of the Integrated STEM Education program at the University of Arkansas is to provide future elementary teachers with the knowledge, skills, aptitudes, and tools necessary to make positive and lasting differences in the lives of their current and future students. We believe in providing a creative, and critical-thinking environment where engaging STEM content is the foundation and learning is delivered through real-world connections, problem/project based learning, and performance-based assessment. The ultimate goal of the program is to nurture STEM confidence, the ability to deliver engaging STEM curriculum, as well as a passion for STEM learning among elementary teacher education candidates and practicing teachers. http://stem.uark.edu/


Check out all of their resources for Narrative Curriculum Design. An AMAZING way to incorporate engineering into literature!

What is Math? What do mathematicians do?

An AWESOME blog post by Sara Van Der Werf with a fantastic way to start the year off with Mathematical Mindsets. These activities are brilliant and the responses from your students will totally blow your mind. You definitely need to do this on week 1!


Post with links to resources and activities!

A little something extra =)

This isn't exactly STEM but it is VERY important to start your year off building relationships with your students and creating a safe and caring community so that you can all be the best learners you can be! Below you will find some resources for doing just that =)
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Hopes and Dreams HyperDoc

Begin the year with a discussion about hopes and dreams for the future. Have your students complete this HyperDoc at the start of the school year then reflect back on it at the end of the year.

Hopes and Dreams HyperDoc

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16 Ways to Use Flipgrid to Build Community

An amazing blog post by Flipgrid Ambassador Kristin Merrill that gives 16 inspiring ways to use Flipgrid to build your classroom community.

Flipgrid On Day One

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Play-Doh Challenge

Based on the Play Doh challenge from Teach Like a Pirate this HyperDoc by Heather Marshall puts a digital spin on this great activity and walks you and the students through it.

Play-Doh Challenge

More resources because . . . well who doesn't want more resources? 😀😜👍

It’s back to school time again and teachers are preparing for that big first day. How do we create unforgettable experiences for our students that will build community and start our year off with a bang? Here are loads of ideas and resources from fellow educators!


50+ back to school ideas, activities and icebreakers from Ditch That Textbook!

Selfie BINGO

Check out this awesome Selfie BINGO board share by Sean Fahey on Twitter!


Selfie BINGO

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Thanks for reading! Hope you found the resources useful.

Questions? Comments? Feedback? Please feel free to contact me anytime.

Email: mourakd@mdusd.net
Website: karlymoura.blogspot.com
Twitter: @KarlyMoura