Integrating STEM and Literacy does not have to take a lot of technical skills. Below are some examples I curated from around the inter-webs of successful incorporation of STEM-based literacy lessons.
Common Craft-Style Storytelling
Students can create a Common Craft-style video of a story the class is reading. This video was done with fourth grade students. It was a composition of several small groups of students using paper, pencils and iPads to re-create the story of “The Big Wave” by Pear S. Buck.
Green Screen Poetry
Students can recite poetry in front of a green screen. The final presentations can be uploaded to YouTube or another video-sharing site for the world to see.
Stop-Motion-Animation
An example of primary school students using stop-motion animation technology to retell a story. This helps reinforce sequencing, setting, characters, etc… in a fun and engaging way. Free apps are available such as Stop Motion Studio, StickBot Studio, and Koma-Koma
Coding Finch Robot Characters
Students can use Finch Robots from Bird Brain Technologies to recreate scenes from stories they’re reading in class. The robots are simple to code, and can be decorated to match certain characters from books.
Book Trailers with Adobe Spark
Adobe Spark Video is designed for social media promoters, but it can easily be integrated into the classroom! The PowerPoint-style online creation tool is simple to learn, and has a wide variety of background music and themes. It’s limited layout options help students make quick progress in completing their book trailers.
Design an Escape Room
Students can use story telling strategies to build their own Escape-the-Classroom story. Students can work together to design one single problem. Each group will have one “piece” of the puzzle once the problem is solved. Once all pieces are collected, the final ‘escape’ is revealed. Invite other classrooms to your challenge!
Building Up STEAM 