What is the overall idea of the resource and how does it relate to what we are studying?
Overview: Throughout this course, we will study the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics and how they relate singly and combined to preschool curriculum planning. We will explore readings, resources, articles, websites, videos, planning resources and supplemental resources provided in the individual course units. These resources replace a textbook and are current materials written by professionals in the field. They present life experiences that can give real input into your studies.
In each of the three units where there is this reflection assignment, you will select one resource in the unit and write an essay response to the four questions provided. Before you make your resource selection, read all the resources and visit all the links provided in the unit. Some readings will reflect knowledge you already have which will be further solidified. Some material will stretch your thinking and give you a new perspective on a strategy. This coursework is intended to inform, extend your thinking, invite you to query, and reflect on and refine your practices. You will create new knowledge and define your teaching practices with each reflection assignment.
Instructions: Follow these instructions for each of the STEM Resource & Teaching Reflection essays.
1. Resource Selection: Unit Readings and Resources Section
o Read all the unit resources and visit all the assigned website links
before you make your selection.
o Select one (1) resource to explore and write your reflective essay. You
may choose from the required or supplemental resources in the unit. Your
selection must be from the unit that the Reflection essay is assigned. You
may not use resources outside of the unit materials.
2. Essay
Complete the following four bullets in your essay:
CHS250 – STEM in the Early Childhood Education Classroom
STEM Resources & Teaching Reflection Assignment
o Which resource from the Unit are you writing about? Provide the citation
for the resource in APA 7 format.
o What is the overall idea of the resource and how does it relate to what we
are studying? Summarize in your own words the overall idea and/or main
point of the resource. Discuss how the resource idea and/or main point
relate to the STEM topic(s) we are currently studying. Example: How does
it relate to the unit of science, technology, engineering, or math depending
on which week you are responding to?
o What clicked for you from this resource and how does what you learned
connect to other resources? Describe one important idea, strategy or
technique that you may use in the classroom or the future. In what way will
this idea, strategy, or technique help you connect the STEM domain to a
world view of daily life issues for your students? Make a connection to
another resource that you read from this unit or a previous unit. Make sure
to properly cite this other resource.
o How has this resource changed your thinking? Be specific about your
thoughts prior to this reading and what caused that “aha!” moment of
change?
Requirements:
• Each essay should include the four bullets and your answers underneath each.
• Submit each essay as a Word document in APA 7 format with Title Page and
Reference Page.
• Each essay should be a minimum of two (2) pages, excluding the Title and Reference pages.
Be sure to read the criteria below by which your work will be evaluated before you write and again after you write.
