Classroom Collaboration

MRS. MYERS’ 2ND GRADE CLASS

ROOM 123
Collaborative STEM Groups

STEM is an acronym for science, technology, engineering, and math. With

learning to read being the main focus of our day, STEM is an engaging way to
incorporate other subjects through play. Science can be integrated through
reading, but STEM takes the learning to a whole new level.
The lesson featured in this presentation takes place at the beginning of the
year. At this point, classroom procedures and expectations are in place.
Students know one another and routines are established. However, the
students have yet to work in collaborative groups toward a common goal.
Groups is a concept they understand. They have reading groups that they
work in each day. Working together as a group is something else entirely.
Please continue through the presentation to view collaboration through STEM.
 For this lesson, students will choose STEM materials
with which they are already familiar. Thus, allowing

Step 1: Materials them to plan their thinking based on experience.

STEM bins in Room 123 have everything from pipe
cleaners and beads to magnetic blocks and Brain
Flakes.
Step 2: Groups

Groups will be selected based on stations.

There are six stations in room 123, providing a
choice of 22 seats for 18 students. Students
choose their best learning seat each day.
Thus, allowing for students to already be
“assigned” to learning partners with which
they work well.
  Our mission: Create a cricket using only STEM
materials available in our classroom.
 Connection: Recalling the main characters
of our featured weekly story, there was a

Step 3: Mission particular character named Moe. He was a

class favorite, both in the story and room 123.
 Students: Why are we building a cricket?
 Teacher: Remember Moe?
 For this task, there are four job choices.

Students assume their role when they return to their stations. These
roles are not assigned. They are agreed upon by members of the
group.

Job 1: Leader – ensures the group stays on task

Step 4: Jobs
Job 2: Scribe – writes or draws the plans and details

Jon 3: Time Keeper – keeps track of time, ensures group completes

the mission on time

Job 4: Presenter – shares the results of the group’s work with the
class
 Students are asked to do three things:

PLAN: Considering the materials available, the leader helps direct the
group to create a plan A and plan B. Then goes to retrieve the materials.

Step 5: Directions DESIGN: Based on the materials available, the scribe draws the design
agreed upon by the group

BUILD: Once the materials are obtained and the design is created, the
group, as a whole, begins to create the design. Meanwhile the time
keeper and the presenter are keeping the group on track and positive.
Step 6: Present

For a first attempt, I was impressed by their

ability to stay on task, work together, follow
directions, assume roles, and listen to their
group members.
A side effect of this activity was team
building. That was a bonus! They were proud
of themselves and each other. Even if a few
of them were not happy with the end result.