Emergency STEM Sub Plans
Ugh! Last minute STEM sub plans. Nothing is worse than feeling terrible and having limited time to get a plan together. Plus, the plan needs to include easy STEM activities so directions are a breeze to follow and anyone can teach it. I always pretend that each substitute is entering the classroom for the first time.
Well, I finally have created a solution for the dreaded plan making chore. My emergency STEM sub plans! They are low prep, use only paper as the building material, and have simple, easy to follow activities.
Supplies are a key component when it comes to creating interactive sub plans. In our STEM classroom we have all kinds of cool manipulatives. However, when I'm leaving a lesson for another person to teach, my material of choice is plain, old paper. I have had substitute teachers thank me for using such a simple item. They said they were actually nervous when they were assigned to my classroom because they thought I would be leaving lessons that use robots or another complicated device. Nope, each of the 5 lessons use only paper and tape.
The 5 paper challenges are:
Create a picture
Design a map
Create a maze
Create the longest chain
Create the tallest tower
These lessons also keep the students engaged in meaningful learning. Even though the plans do not follow what we're doing in the curriculum, they still move step-by-step through the Engineering Design Process. This is a fantastic way to quickly review the cycle for my students. They complete a fun challenge as they move through the design process.
During each challenge the students have their own engineering packet. This walks them through what the challenge is and a place to brainstorm ideas. Then the students plan their idea and build a model using paper and tape or glue. The students then evaluate and improve their designs. Finally the students are asked to share their products with the entire class or small groups. Guiding the students step-by-step through the process helps the students remember what to do. It also provides feedback for me about who still needs support or if I need to have a mini lesson on a portion that many students are minimally completing.
All in all plans are important to think through before they are actually needed. Nothing is worse than having a stomach bug and trying to gather last minute plans. I had two main goals when I created the lessons. The first is that the plans are so simple and easy-to-follow that a substitute teacher will want to return to my room. The second goal is that the lessons are meaningful. Since I only see the students every four days I feel like it is a waste to have a throwaway lesson. Using the Engineering Design Process for each challenge gives it purpose.
I hope you never have to use these plans in an actual emergency. However, they can also make a planned day out much easier to take!
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