MCCS Updates
December 14, 2018
Thank you to our Da Vinci Dad!
Thoroughly Modern Millie
Leo Talk January 8th 6-8 p.m.
You’re Invited!
On Tuesday, January 8th MCCS will host a parent information night on STEM Education, model-eliciting activities (MEA)s and our professional development with Dr. Courtney Baker from George Mason University. Learn about how the important work we are doing connects to state and national STEM initiatives, and brings current research practices to our students. Be ready to engage in hands-on activities and critical thinking!
What’s in a Name?
STEM? STEAM? SMET? How do we make sense of this alphabet soup? In the simplest sense, STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics. This acronym began as a way to address the perceived shortage of skilled workers pursuing high-tech jobs and has implications beyond K-12 classrooms. Currently, STEM plays an increasingly important role in addressing societal need to improve the global economy. Ultimately, how one defines ‘STEM’ is based on their personal experiences and how they position themselves in their field. For example, mathematicians advocate the importance of mathematics within STEM and engineers speak to the importance of engineering design process and creating models with generalizability. While there are many ways to implement STEM in K-6 settings, of utmost importance is providing all students with authentic opportunities to interact with content that is traditionally taught in isolation, out of context, or post-mastery.
Model-Eliciting Activities
Model-eliciting activities let students engage in the engineering design process to solve real-life, client-driven problems and allow teachers insight into student thinking. Teachers facilitate student collaboration and problem solving as students apply their mathematical understandings, explore possible strategies, assess their thinking, compare solutions, and produce a generalizable model. The engineering design processes within MEAs support the goals of mathematics and STEM learning by integrating concepts found inside and outside of mathematics, encouraging learning through discovery. This specific type of modeling embeds grade-level content within. Each MEA connects to multiple state standards across mathematics, science, reading, writing and social studies depending on the context! Since elementary teachers teach multiple subjects, MEAs are designed perfectly for K-6 classrooms and can be used to provide insight into student thinking at any place in a unit.
Paper Dolls were sent home this week
Holidays Around The World
Paper Doll Decorating Instructions:
Use fabric or media of any kind to decorate your doll in a way that reflects your family’s heritage or culture. Be sure to add your name and the Country or Culture you are representing!
Please return to the school by December 17th
Mark Your Calendar
Monday 12/17 - Spirit Week Begin (Wear White)
Tuesday 12/18 - (Jolly & Bright- Tacky Sweater)
Wednesday 12/19 - (Plaid Day) 4/5's Field Trip
Thursday 12/20 - (Pajama Day) - Holidays Around the World
Friday 12/21 - Winter Break Begins- No School
General Reminder
Please remember to pack a snack for your student every day.