"STEAM" INTO SUMMER
STEAM INTO SUMMER is a virtual story time where we will explore science, technology, engineering, art, and math! ! Participants will enjoy stories, STEM Challenges, STEAM "Take and Make" Activity Bags, and at-home science experiments! Then, you can submit pictures of your work for our "Virtual STEAM Showcase" at the end of the program!
A new lesson will be posted every Tuesday from July 7 - Aug 11. You can find the lessons here or on Social Media!
STEAM INTO SUMMER is a virtual story time where we will explore science, technology, engineering, art, and math! ! Participants will enjoy stories, STEM Challenges, STEAM "Take and Make" Activity Bags, and at-home science experiments! Then, you can submit pictures of your work for our "Virtual STEAM Showcase" at the end of the program!
A new lesson will be posted every Tuesday from July 7 - Aug 11. You can find the lessons here or on Social Media!
AUGUST 11:
Hello STEAM friends! Last week we read about a boy named Jack who wanted to make a better car and a better house. We said he was an "engineer". This week, we have some more stories about girls, who also happen to be engineers! These girls aren't trying to make better things, but totally new inventions!
Our first read aloud is written by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts, called "Rosie Revere Engineer". This is a super special storyteller, named Kate Rubins. She's an astronaut, who's reading the story, from outer SPACE! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5yZ8K7pb0Y
Our second story is called "The Most Magnificent Thing" and is written by Ashley Spires. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UM8oN4yzJqw
Both Rosie & the unnamed girl from the second story are engineers. They have ideas of brand new things they want to invent. Last week, we challenged you to build something, like the boy from the story, Jack. This week, we want to take it a step further! Just like the girls from this week's story, we want you to use your imagination and create something brand new. What about setting up a tinkering station for your kiddo to really expand on their budding engineering skills? For a basic tinkering station, any of the following can be used, just watch what they create, and please be sure to send us the pictures:
Hello STEAM friends! Last week we read about a boy named Jack who wanted to make a better car and a better house. We said he was an "engineer". This week, we have some more stories about girls, who also happen to be engineers! These girls aren't trying to make better things, but totally new inventions!
Our first read aloud is written by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts, called "Rosie Revere Engineer". This is a super special storyteller, named Kate Rubins. She's an astronaut, who's reading the story, from outer SPACE! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5yZ8K7pb0Y
Our second story is called "The Most Magnificent Thing" and is written by Ashley Spires. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UM8oN4yzJqw
Both Rosie & the unnamed girl from the second story are engineers. They have ideas of brand new things they want to invent. Last week, we challenged you to build something, like the boy from the story, Jack. This week, we want to take it a step further! Just like the girls from this week's story, we want you to use your imagination and create something brand new. What about setting up a tinkering station for your kiddo to really expand on their budding engineering skills? For a basic tinkering station, any of the following can be used, just watch what they create, and please be sure to send us the pictures:
- nuts and bolts
- hole punch
- tape
- rubber bands
- old chop sticks
- recycled cardboard
- recycled bottles
- ruler
- twine
- leftover wheels from a broken toy
- journal
- pen / markers
AUGUST 4:
Hello STEAM friends! This week we have two stories that are really going to get your imagination going! Once you've listened to the stories, I'm hoping you'll check out our ideas for how to really get into the stories. The only supplies you'll need are paper, drawing implements, recyclables and YOUR imaginations.
This first read aloud, "If I Built A Car", is written & illustrated by Chris Van Dusen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-uX-5DyULA
Our second read aloud is also written & illustrated by Chris Van Dusen! It's called "If I Built A House" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJBUvvdYB7Q
Now that you've listened to our stories, hopefully you're thinking about creating something...a house...a car...a boat...what will it be? People who build are called engineers or architects.The first step is to put on your "thinking cap". Imagine & dream about what you might build. Once an engineer or architect has spent time thinking & dreaming, they draw what they want to build. Because this is your very own invention, it can look like whatever you decide! We'd love to see your drawings, and if you send them to us, we may include them in our end of class slideshow. Once you've drawn out your project, you can use whatever recyclables you handy to make your project come to life. But don't limit yourself to recyclables, you could use play dough, blocks, Legos, Magnatiles, even items found in nature (sticks, bark, stones). Whatever you build, we want to see it and hear about it. Send us pictures of your build, and maybe even ask your adult to write down your words about it and send them to us! And, we have a very special story for next week, that will continue to look at engineers, and ways your children can be engineers, so please come back next week, and by all means, save any cool recyclables for our next design projects.
Hello STEAM friends! This week we have two stories that are really going to get your imagination going! Once you've listened to the stories, I'm hoping you'll check out our ideas for how to really get into the stories. The only supplies you'll need are paper, drawing implements, recyclables and YOUR imaginations.
This first read aloud, "If I Built A Car", is written & illustrated by Chris Van Dusen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-uX-5DyULA
Our second read aloud is also written & illustrated by Chris Van Dusen! It's called "If I Built A House" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJBUvvdYB7Q
Now that you've listened to our stories, hopefully you're thinking about creating something...a house...a car...a boat...what will it be? People who build are called engineers or architects.The first step is to put on your "thinking cap". Imagine & dream about what you might build. Once an engineer or architect has spent time thinking & dreaming, they draw what they want to build. Because this is your very own invention, it can look like whatever you decide! We'd love to see your drawings, and if you send them to us, we may include them in our end of class slideshow. Once you've drawn out your project, you can use whatever recyclables you handy to make your project come to life. But don't limit yourself to recyclables, you could use play dough, blocks, Legos, Magnatiles, even items found in nature (sticks, bark, stones). Whatever you build, we want to see it and hear about it. Send us pictures of your build, and maybe even ask your adult to write down your words about it and send them to us! And, we have a very special story for next week, that will continue to look at engineers, and ways your children can be engineers, so please come back next week, and by all means, save any cool recyclables for our next design projects.
JULY 28:
Hello Scientists! This week, we're going to talk about WIND! We have some read alouds, and a special “Take & Make” craft that will help you to see what the wind can do.
Our first story is a short one, called "Like a Windy Day" written by Frank Asch & Devin Asch. Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQJ8dgnKuYQ
Our second story is "Kate Who Tamed the Wind" written by Liz Garton Scanlon & illustrated by Lee White. Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWxJEMo2tiM
Now that you've heard some stories about wind, I thought it would be really fun to make something that will help us observe how wind works. If you grabbed a Make & Take kit from the Essex Library, you have almost everything you need to make a windsock along with instructions.
If you didn't pick up a kit, you will need:
- a cup
- gems, stickers, construction paper, and other decorations
- string
- streamers, crepe paper, or tissue paper
Here are the directions (but there really is no right or wrong way to go about this!):
1. Make a small hole in the bottom of your cup, using scissors (this may be a job for a trusted adult, depending on how old your child is).
2. Slip both ends of string through the hole and secure with a knot inside the cup.
3. Decorate with gems or stickers around the outside of the cup.
4. Attach tails with your choice of adhesive (tacky glue, tape, staples, hot glue gun)
Once you finish your windsock, bring it outside! If you hold it up, it will point to which direction the wind is blowing! Have fun!
Here are some great questions and ideas to incorporate some science & math:
Hello Scientists! This week, we're going to talk about WIND! We have some read alouds, and a special “Take & Make” craft that will help you to see what the wind can do.
Our first story is a short one, called "Like a Windy Day" written by Frank Asch & Devin Asch. Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQJ8dgnKuYQ
Our second story is "Kate Who Tamed the Wind" written by Liz Garton Scanlon & illustrated by Lee White. Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWxJEMo2tiM
Now that you've heard some stories about wind, I thought it would be really fun to make something that will help us observe how wind works. If you grabbed a Make & Take kit from the Essex Library, you have almost everything you need to make a windsock along with instructions.
If you didn't pick up a kit, you will need:
- a cup
- gems, stickers, construction paper, and other decorations
- string
- streamers, crepe paper, or tissue paper
Here are the directions (but there really is no right or wrong way to go about this!):
1. Make a small hole in the bottom of your cup, using scissors (this may be a job for a trusted adult, depending on how old your child is).
2. Slip both ends of string through the hole and secure with a knot inside the cup.
3. Decorate with gems or stickers around the outside of the cup.
4. Attach tails with your choice of adhesive (tacky glue, tape, staples, hot glue gun)
Once you finish your windsock, bring it outside! If you hold it up, it will point to which direction the wind is blowing! Have fun!
Here are some great questions and ideas to incorporate some science & math:
- What’s the best way to attach the tails? Glue, Sticky Tape, Masking Tape, or Staples? Perhaps they’d prefer to make holes and tie the tails on?
- Which method will last the longest and why?
- Which method will be best in the rain?
- Is there an optimum number of tails?
- Where is it best to attach the tails?
- Could the tails be made out of different materials?
- Do they want the tails all the same length or different lengths?
- How can they measure the tails? Perhaps they’d like the tail as long as their arm or as long as a parent’s foot?
- Older children might like to measure the tail out using centimeters or inches
With the approval of the Essex Board of Heath, we are offering "Take and Make" bags for this week's STEAM Into Summer lesson! The bags will contain all the materials you need for this week's STEAM lesson. Bags will be available for pick-up by registration only and while supplies last at the TOHP Burnham Essex Public Library!
Please note: The bags contain small parts, best for ages 3-8!
Please note: The bags contain small parts, best for ages 3-8!
JULY 21:
Hello Science Explorers! Today, Ms. Melanie is going to show us how to make an awesome science experiment that we can try at home! It's a volcano! You can find Ms. Melanie's video on our Facebook page @EarlyChildhoodPartnersCFCE or click on a link for the directions HERE!
In order to try this activity at home, you'll need:
- Clay or play dough (I'm including the recipe for my favorite homemade play dough which should be enough for at least two volcanoes or one volcano with extra play dough to just enjoy!)
- Baking soda
- Vinegar
- A baking sheet
- Red or orange food coloring (optional)
Here's the play dough recipe if you need it:
4C. Flour
1 1/2 C. Salt
2T. plus 2Tsp Cream of Tartar (almost whole small bottle)
4C. Lukewarm Water
4T. Oil
Stir all dry ingredients in a pot. Add water, oil, and coloring. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture thickens and forms a ball. Remove from heat and let cool. Once cool, knead until smooth.
Have fun!
Looking for more fun science experiments? Mommy Poppins has put together a list of 64 Easy Science Experiments for kids to do at home. You can find the link HERE.
Hello Science Explorers! Today, Ms. Melanie is going to show us how to make an awesome science experiment that we can try at home! It's a volcano! You can find Ms. Melanie's video on our Facebook page @EarlyChildhoodPartnersCFCE or click on a link for the directions HERE!
In order to try this activity at home, you'll need:
- Clay or play dough (I'm including the recipe for my favorite homemade play dough which should be enough for at least two volcanoes or one volcano with extra play dough to just enjoy!)
- Baking soda
- Vinegar
- A baking sheet
- Red or orange food coloring (optional)
Here's the play dough recipe if you need it:
4C. Flour
1 1/2 C. Salt
2T. plus 2Tsp Cream of Tartar (almost whole small bottle)
4C. Lukewarm Water
4T. Oil
Stir all dry ingredients in a pot. Add water, oil, and coloring. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture thickens and forms a ball. Remove from heat and let cool. Once cool, knead until smooth.
Have fun!
Looking for more fun science experiments? Mommy Poppins has put together a list of 64 Easy Science Experiments for kids to do at home. You can find the link HERE.
JULY 14:
Hello! Today we have some fun STEM water experiments and stories! First, listen to the stories, and then, get ready to explore!
This first read aloud is called, "Who Sank the Boat?" and is written by Pamela Allen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpFWuHSDFtQ
This second one is called, "What Floats in a Moat?" written by Lynne Berry, illustrated by Matthew Cordell https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTc-4NtbBpY
I thought it could be really fun to experiment with buoyancy to start with. I would suggest finding a big bucket or bin, and filling it with water. Then, with your child, bring out some objects that you know would float and some objects that will sink and do some experimenting together. Some ideas of items to try: feather, cork, stone, leaf, acorn, paperclip, penny, seashell, rubber bouncy ball, pretty much anything you or your child can think of. Once you've spent some time observing buoyancy, you can experiment with boats. If you have a small plastic boat, you can see how much it holds, like in the first story. You can use anything, small rocks, counting bears, coins. Find out how much your boat can hold before it sinks. IF you don't have a boat, no worries! Tinfoil will float, so you could fashion a piece of tinfoil into a boat and try the same thing. For a really fun idea, you can allow your child access to your recycling, and let them decide how to make their own boat, like in the second story. A yogurt cup, soup can, who knows what they will find that can be turned into a boat! Happy experimenting!
Hello! Today we have some fun STEM water experiments and stories! First, listen to the stories, and then, get ready to explore!
This first read aloud is called, "Who Sank the Boat?" and is written by Pamela Allen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpFWuHSDFtQ
This second one is called, "What Floats in a Moat?" written by Lynne Berry, illustrated by Matthew Cordell https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTc-4NtbBpY
I thought it could be really fun to experiment with buoyancy to start with. I would suggest finding a big bucket or bin, and filling it with water. Then, with your child, bring out some objects that you know would float and some objects that will sink and do some experimenting together. Some ideas of items to try: feather, cork, stone, leaf, acorn, paperclip, penny, seashell, rubber bouncy ball, pretty much anything you or your child can think of. Once you've spent some time observing buoyancy, you can experiment with boats. If you have a small plastic boat, you can see how much it holds, like in the first story. You can use anything, small rocks, counting bears, coins. Find out how much your boat can hold before it sinks. IF you don't have a boat, no worries! Tinfoil will float, so you could fashion a piece of tinfoil into a boat and try the same thing. For a really fun idea, you can allow your child access to your recycling, and let them decide how to make their own boat, like in the second story. A yogurt cup, soup can, who knows what they will find that can be turned into a boat! Happy experimenting!
JULY 7:
Hello friends! Ms. Melanie has a couple great read alouds about butterflies and flowers. The first one is read by the author, Danica McKellar. It's called "Ten Magic Butterflies" and as you might guess, it's a fun, fictional book with lots of counting. The link is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBi_RoXKVo0
The second book is called "The Butterfly" and it takes a look at the life cycle of butterflies and caterpillars. The link is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76SEueaI954
Once you've listened to the stories, you may want to make some crafts. Please feel free to send us pictures of what you make, because at the end of this six week class, we'll showcase everyone's work with a slideshow!
For this first craft, you will need a large piece of paper, paints, a marker or pencil, scissors, and a pipe cleaner. First, you or your child can use the marker or pencil to draw the shape of a butterfly, then cut it out. Have your child paint on just half the paper, then fold it down the middle so the paint is inside and smooth, so the paint transfers to the blank side. This should make the painting symmetrical, so that it's the same on both sides when you open the paper back up. Finally, you can use the pipe cleaner to make the antennas. Don't be afraid to define symmetry and explain how they painted only one side, but when you folded it in half, you got a perfect match.
For the second craft, you will again need a large sheet of paper, pencil or marker, large popsicle stick, 2 googly eyes, paint, scissors, glue and pompoms. For this craft, you can have your child paint just one side of the paper, and then fold in half showing them symmetry that comes as a result. Once it's dried, they can help to draw the shape of the butterfly, then cut it out. Save just enough painted paper to make the antennas. They can paint the popsicle stick, and glue that on, along with the googly eyes and antennas. The finishing touch will be gluing on the pompoms. If they're older, they may want to really explore symmetry by placing the pompoms strategically or they can just place them wherever they want.
Have Fun!
Hello friends! Ms. Melanie has a couple great read alouds about butterflies and flowers. The first one is read by the author, Danica McKellar. It's called "Ten Magic Butterflies" and as you might guess, it's a fun, fictional book with lots of counting. The link is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBi_RoXKVo0
The second book is called "The Butterfly" and it takes a look at the life cycle of butterflies and caterpillars. The link is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76SEueaI954
Once you've listened to the stories, you may want to make some crafts. Please feel free to send us pictures of what you make, because at the end of this six week class, we'll showcase everyone's work with a slideshow!
For this first craft, you will need a large piece of paper, paints, a marker or pencil, scissors, and a pipe cleaner. First, you or your child can use the marker or pencil to draw the shape of a butterfly, then cut it out. Have your child paint on just half the paper, then fold it down the middle so the paint is inside and smooth, so the paint transfers to the blank side. This should make the painting symmetrical, so that it's the same on both sides when you open the paper back up. Finally, you can use the pipe cleaner to make the antennas. Don't be afraid to define symmetry and explain how they painted only one side, but when you folded it in half, you got a perfect match.
For the second craft, you will again need a large sheet of paper, pencil or marker, large popsicle stick, 2 googly eyes, paint, scissors, glue and pompoms. For this craft, you can have your child paint just one side of the paper, and then fold in half showing them symmetry that comes as a result. Once it's dried, they can help to draw the shape of the butterfly, then cut it out. Save just enough painted paper to make the antennas. They can paint the popsicle stick, and glue that on, along with the googly eyes and antennas. The finishing touch will be gluing on the pompoms. If they're older, they may want to really explore symmetry by placing the pompoms strategically or they can just place them wherever they want.
Have Fun!
Bonus "STEAM Into Summer" Lesson!
Hello Friends! I have a read aloud for you today called "The Bravest Fish" written & illustrated by Matt Buckingham. Here is the link for the story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9qCa0wntIY.
Once you've listened to the story, I have some crafts you can try! As much as possible, allow your child to do the "work" of the crafts! Cutting and tearing are great fine motor skills! And your children will be so proud that they did it all themselves!
For the first craft, we'll make shiny, foil fish!
Supplies needed: thin cardboard (even an old cereal box from your recycling bin), tin foil, scissors, markers, oil pastel crayons or acrylic paints
To make your foil fish, draw the shape of a fish on the cardboard. Cut the fish out, and then tear off a piece of foil that is roughly twice the size of your fish. Wrap your cardboard fish with the foil, so it's completely covered. Now, is the most fun part! Use your paints, crayons or markers to decorate your fish. You can make a whole school of fish, like Stanley and all his friends!
The next craft is inspired by Stanley's favorite phrase: "Jumping jellyfish!"
Supplies needed (per child): Paper plate, 2 googly eyes, marker or paint, strips of crepe paper or ribbons, scissors, glue stick
To make your own jellyfish, you will want to cut your paper plate in half, then color or paint it. You can draw on a smile, and glue on the googly eyes. Then, cut ribbons, or tear off strips of crepe paper to make tentacles, which you can glue to the flat edge of the paper plate.
Have Fun!
Hello Friends! I have a read aloud for you today called "The Bravest Fish" written & illustrated by Matt Buckingham. Here is the link for the story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9qCa0wntIY.
Once you've listened to the story, I have some crafts you can try! As much as possible, allow your child to do the "work" of the crafts! Cutting and tearing are great fine motor skills! And your children will be so proud that they did it all themselves!
For the first craft, we'll make shiny, foil fish!
Supplies needed: thin cardboard (even an old cereal box from your recycling bin), tin foil, scissors, markers, oil pastel crayons or acrylic paints
To make your foil fish, draw the shape of a fish on the cardboard. Cut the fish out, and then tear off a piece of foil that is roughly twice the size of your fish. Wrap your cardboard fish with the foil, so it's completely covered. Now, is the most fun part! Use your paints, crayons or markers to decorate your fish. You can make a whole school of fish, like Stanley and all his friends!
The next craft is inspired by Stanley's favorite phrase: "Jumping jellyfish!"
Supplies needed (per child): Paper plate, 2 googly eyes, marker or paint, strips of crepe paper or ribbons, scissors, glue stick
To make your own jellyfish, you will want to cut your paper plate in half, then color or paint it. You can draw on a smile, and glue on the googly eyes. Then, cut ribbons, or tear off strips of crepe paper to make tentacles, which you can glue to the flat edge of the paper plate.
Have Fun!
Bonus "STEAM Into Summer" Lesson!
Hello friends! This week, I have a fun read aloud, a craft, and some baking to do! The read aloud is "Froggy Bakes a Cake" written by Jonathan London, illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz. Here is the link for the story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24ZoBJLUnnA.
After you've listened to the story, I have a frog craft!
Supplies needed: Paper plate, green paint, 2 googly eyes, long strip of red construction paper, piece of white paper, glue or glue stick
First you will fold your paper plate in half, then paint the whole outside green. Allow the paper plate to dry. While it's drying, you can fold the red strip like an accordion, back & forth, for a long tongue. Then, paint both of your child's hands, and place on white paper to make two handprints. Allow the handprints time to dry. Once everything is dry, cut around the handprints, and glue the handprints inside the paper plate, so they stick out like feet. Glue the two googly eyes to the top of the frog, and then glue one end of the long red strip inside the paper plate so it sticks out.
Then, let's make a mug cake!
Froggy's cake didn't turn out too well, did it? Here's a recipe for a cake for 1. I hope yours turns out better than Froggy's did!
Ingredients:
1/4 cup all purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
2 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/8 teaspoon of baking soda
1/8 teaspoon of salt
3 Tablespoons milk
2 Tablespoons canola oil
1 Tablespoon water
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
Mix the first 5 ingredients in a mug. Stir last 4 ingredients into the mug. Microwave until cake is done in the middle (about 1 minute, 45 seconds).
Have Fun!
Hello friends! This week, I have a fun read aloud, a craft, and some baking to do! The read aloud is "Froggy Bakes a Cake" written by Jonathan London, illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz. Here is the link for the story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24ZoBJLUnnA.
After you've listened to the story, I have a frog craft!
Supplies needed: Paper plate, green paint, 2 googly eyes, long strip of red construction paper, piece of white paper, glue or glue stick
First you will fold your paper plate in half, then paint the whole outside green. Allow the paper plate to dry. While it's drying, you can fold the red strip like an accordion, back & forth, for a long tongue. Then, paint both of your child's hands, and place on white paper to make two handprints. Allow the handprints time to dry. Once everything is dry, cut around the handprints, and glue the handprints inside the paper plate, so they stick out like feet. Glue the two googly eyes to the top of the frog, and then glue one end of the long red strip inside the paper plate so it sticks out.
Then, let's make a mug cake!
Froggy's cake didn't turn out too well, did it? Here's a recipe for a cake for 1. I hope yours turns out better than Froggy's did!
Ingredients:
1/4 cup all purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
2 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/8 teaspoon of baking soda
1/8 teaspoon of salt
3 Tablespoons milk
2 Tablespoons canola oil
1 Tablespoon water
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
Mix the first 5 ingredients in a mug. Stir last 4 ingredients into the mug. Microwave until cake is done in the middle (about 1 minute, 45 seconds).
Have Fun!
Early Childhood Partners programs are funded by the Massachusetts Coordinated Family & Community Engagement (CFCE) grant awarded to Hamilton-Wenham Regional School District by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) serving Hamilton, Wenham, Manchester, and Essex. All educational and non-academic programs, activities and employment opportunities at Hamilton-Wenham RSD are offered without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, homelessness, age and/or, disability, and any other class or characteristic protected by law.