Increasing Student Stem-ina

Step 1: Foster a Growth Mindset Introduction to Growth Mindset: Importance of establishing a growth mindset from day one. Book Introduction: Use The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires as a foundation for discussing perseverance and the engineering/design process. Story Overview: A young girl learns to overcome frustration and manage failure by persisting through challenges. Incorporate Focused Attention Practices: Example Practice: Imagining breathing in your favorite color and breathing out your least favorite color to manage emotions. Implementation: Teach and practice these exercises until they become a class norm. Additional Resources: Link to more focused attention practices. Step 2: Goal Setting with SMART Goals Why Goal Setting Matters: Set a tone of purposeful growth from the start of the year. Introduction to SMART Goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound: Define each component of SMART goals. Worksheet Resource: Provide a SMART goals worksheet for student use. Encourage Student Reflection: The Power of “Yet”: Encourage students to focus on areas they want to improve but haven’t mastered yet. Celebrate Success: Emphasize the pride and satisfaction of achieving goals. Step 3: Normalize Struggle Introduction to the Concept: Normalize challenges as a key part of the learning process. Examples of Perseverance in STEM: Storytelling: Share stories of Mary Anning, George Washington Carver, and Jane Goodall, who overcame challenges in their fields. Modeling Resilience: In-Class Examples: When encountering problems in the classroom, model perseverance by discussing your process of overcoming obstacles. Engaging Challenges to Start the Year Active Learning vs. Passive Learning: Replace rule-reading with engaging challenges. Bell Ringer Activities: Purpose: Use puzzles or brainteasers to reset student focus and engage problem-solving skills. Mini-Challenges: Teachers will participate in the following activities: Walking through a sheet of paper using only scissors and a sheet of paper. Creating the longest paper chain. Designing marble mazes on paper plates. Connection to Classroom Management: These activities help introduce students to supplies and establish group work expectations. Resilience Practice: Encourage perseverance through focused attention practices during tough moments.

https://www.responsiveclassroom.org/the-importance-of-setting-purposeful-goals-with-students/ https://revelationsineducation.com/100-focused-attention-practices/ If You Can't Manage Them, You Can't Teach Them: Advice for Running a Chaos-Free Classroom Where Middle and High School Students Can Really Learn Book by Kay Herting Wahl and Kim Campbell