STEAM in 1st grade - "I'm Not a Box"

I had the opportunity to work with 1st grade teacher Mrs. Scharffenberg and her students.  They turned their Opinion Writing unit into a STEAM project.  Integrating STEAM - Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math - into the curriculum enhances the learning process.

We followed the "Launch Cycle" from the book  Launch: Bring Out the Maker in Every Student by John Spencer for this project.

Phase 1: Look, Listen, Learn (awareness stage): 

Teacher read these books to students:
Not a Stick by Antoinette Portis
Not a Box by Antoinette Portis

Then, the teacher presented the problem/goal to the students.  She created a video to get the kids excited about the project.  This video shared the “Problem” that they are going to solve.

Phase 2: Asks Lots of Questions: students tap into their natural curiosities and understand the problem that they need to solve.  

-Brainstorming -sharing questions -help students articulate curiosity 

Students and families were asked to find a picture for inspiration for their project.  Students brainstormed several ideas.

Teacher shares her brainstorming and project.

Students and families were asked to find a picture for inspiration for their project.  Students brainstormed several ideas.

Phase 3: Understand the process or problem: 

After asking questions, and finding their inspiration, students moved into their research.  They gathered information connected to building their model.

Phase 4: Navigate Ideas: 

Students drew a prototype of their project, made a list of the materials they needed, and gathered the materials their building materials. Students also had a picture to refer to that they will replicated in their project.

Project Planner

Phase 5: Create: (hands on stage) 

Students will create their project.  They will continue to find materials to create their project.

Phase 6: Highlight and Revise: 

Students will determine what works and what doesn’t work in their project.  They may change their prototype to try to resolve the glitches.  This can happen throughout the process, but ‘reflection breaks” will happen as the student takes pictures each day.  They can highlight what’s working and what isn’t.  They may continue to do research for their project. This may happen as they gather more pictures of what they are trying to create/replicate.

This student made many revisions to her project.  Her “Not a Box” is Fancy Nancy.  She tried several different materials to build the skirt and her hair. 

Students took pictures each day to show progress.

Phase 7: Launch Time:  

Students wrote their opinion pieces explaining why their creation was "Not a Box."  They wrote a script to share their opinion about why their design is "Not a Box."

This is not a box. It is a rocket.

First, it has grey tail fins.  

Next, you should hear the lost astronaut.  

Last, it has a pointy top.  

That’swhy it’s not a box. It is a rocket!

Then, Students made green screen video, spotlighting their final project.  

Check out the video below "I'm Not a Box, I'm a..."

Students had a viewing party to watch their "Not a Box" video.