This chapter will inspire English teachers to independently integrate low-prep science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) activities into their English language arts (ELA) classrooms. It will discuss how STEM projects can ignite engagement to the classics and build excitement for challenging texts. This chapter will offer multiple ideas for STEM integration in the ELA classroom. The ideas, which can be adapted for any text, are meant to inspire teachers to look for science and engineering concepts in literature.
TopLow-Prep Stem Activities In The Ela Classroom
English literature teachers often get stuck with the drudging stages of STEM projects, including writing project reports, editing for grammar, and conducting traditional research. This sends the message to impressionable minds that the tedious work of engaging project-based learning takes place in the English classroom. English teachers may strive to show that hands-on learning, building, and experimenting require key ELA concepts. These teachers aim to reach reluctant readers, especially those who are bored by literature. In doing so, students can gain new perspectives on using their ELA skill set to connect with challenging texts.
ELA teachers can challenge the traditional ELA curriculum script by including hands-on STEM projects. These projects should address language standards in a creative way so that students view reading and writing as integrated skills for use in a limitless number of careers.
ELA is not found in the STEM acronym. Therefore, merging English with science, technology, engineering, and math may not be an intuitive curriculum fit for English teachers. To incorporate STEM into ELA classrooms, English teachers need to examine their language standards from a different lens. Using this wide metaphorical lens, teachers can review their standards to see how literacy fits into the 21st century’s skill sets.
Integrating STEM into the ELA classroom requires a change in both mindset and creativity. Great minds find inspiration from other sources. Therefore, the classroom STEM-based projects and activities generate engagement, critical thinking, and hands-on learning.
Some of the projects in this chapter are novel-specific. Others can be applied to any text. I provide activities that can be efficiently implemented. In addition, I share models to create unique STEM projects.
I used the following techniques to spark STEM creativity in the English classroom:
- 1.
Students design a tiny house for a character
- 2.
Students practice procedural writing by building a story element
- 3.
Students explore literature through a scientific lens