Water is a meaningful context for children to engage in inquiry, and to acquire and use science and engineering practices, such as developing spatial thinking and early concepts of water dynamics. This book shows teachers how to provide children with opportunities to engineer water movement through pouring and filling containers of various kinds and shapes, observing how water interacts with surfaces in large and small amounts, exploring how water can be moved, and using water to move objects. These experiences build a foundation that will support children's more complex study of this phenomena in later schooling, as well as encourage interest in STEM fields. The text offers guidance for arranging the social-emotional, intellectual, and promotional environments of the early childhood classroom; for integrating literacy learning; and for building essential partnerships with administrators and families to enhance STEM learning for our youngest learners. Book Features: Introduces Waterworks, an integrative STEM experience developed by young children, their teachers, and early childhood researchers. Describes an approach that engages children in doing science and engineering, rather than teaching children about these fields. Offers children the opportunity to participate in STEM experiences every day in their classrooms alongside literacy learning. Illustrates ways to plan and use over 10 types of engineering experiences appropriate for children ages 3-8. Includes guidance for documenting children's learning over time. Aligns with the Early Learning Outcomes Framework and the Next Generation Science Standards.
Beth Dykstra Van Meeteren is director of the Iowa Regents' Center for Early Developmental Education and professor of literacy education at the University of Northern Iowa.
Acknowledgements 1. STEM on Their Own Terms Beth Dykstra Van Meeteren Who We Are Who We Hope You Are Who We Are Writing About Inquiry Engineering Preparing an Environment for STEM Summary 2. School Partnerships that Support High Quality STEM Tuning the Instrument Teaching as Jazz Getting the Band Together Integrative STEM and Literacy STEM Experiences Executive Functions Summary 3.Weaving Waterworks Experiences Through the Standards for Meaningful Learning The Warp and the Weft of Learning and Teaching Weaving Waterworks Experiences Through the NGSS Weaving Through the NGSS Science and Engineering Practices Weaving Through the NGSS Cross Cutting Concepts Aligning Waterworks Experiences With Preschool Standards Weaving Through the Early Learning Outcomes Framework Summary 4. Arranging Space to Investigate Waterworks Teachers as Engineers Large Group: A Space to Gather as a Community of Learners Small Group: A Space for Focused Literacy Learning A Space for Art and to Document Learning A Space for STEM Materials That Contain Water Materials to Move Water Materials to Absorb and Repel Water Coordinating Children's Movement Among Spaces Introducing Waterworks Materials Class Meetings: Nurturing a Community of Learners STEM as a Context for Writing Summary 5. Planning and Implementing Experiences in Waterworks in PK-2 Classrooms Beginning With Teacher Play Scaffolding Child Inquiry With Productive Questions Assessment in Waterworks Preparing For a Paradigm Shift EXPERIENCE 1. A SET OF SAME-SIZED-SHAPED CONTAINERS Attending to the Four Aspects of the Environment EXPERIENCE 2. A SET OF A VARIETY OF CONTAINERS Attending to the Four Aspects of the Environment EXPERIENCE 3. A SET OF CONTAINERS WITH HOLES Attending to the Four Aspects of the Environment 4. A SET OF CONTAINERS WITH DIFFERENT LIDS Attending to the Four Aspects of the Environment EXPERIENCE 5: A SET OF MATERIALS TO EXPLORE THE DRAINING OF WATER Attending to the Four Aspects of the Environment EXPERIENCE 6: A SET OF TUBES, STOPPERS, AND FUNNELS Attending to the Four Aspects of the Environment EXPERIENCE 7: A SET OF PUMPS FOR A MUSEUM Attending to the Four Aspects of the Environment EXPERIENCE 8: A SET OF LEAKY CUPS Attending to the Four Aspects of the Environment EXPERIENCE 9: A SET OF LEAKY CUPS AND A WATER WALL Attending to the Four Aspects of the Environment EXPERIENCE 10: A SET OF WATER PIPES Attending to the Four Aspects of the Environment EXPERIENCE 11: A SET OF MATERIALS TO EXPLORE WATER DROPLETS Attending to the Four Aspects of the Environment EXPERIENCE 12. A SET OF MATERIALS TO EXPLORE HOW OBJECTS SINK AND FLOAT Attending to the Four Aspects of the Environment Summary Dawn Johnson-Integrative STEM and Literacy in the Preschool Classroom 6. Family and Community Engagement With Waterworks The Value of Partnering With Families Listen, Learn, and Build Relationships With Families Empower Parents With Research and Resources Prioritize Access and Inclusion Provide Professional Development for Impactful Family Engagement Evaluate Impact Summary Appendix A: Engineering Habits of Mind in Waterworks Appendix B: Progress Monitoring of Young Students' Engineering Habits of Mind Appendix C: Recording Sheet for Home Scavenger Hunts References Index About the Editor and Contributors
" The STEM for Our Youngest Learners series is a must-have in any preschool classroom. The books bring together many voices to encourage teachers as they incorporate STEM education into their own classrooms... The books have a very reader-friendly format, and every chapter gives clear, concise direction not only about the activity but how that activity aligns with Next Generation Science Standards." -Science and Children
