STEM Building and Brain Puzzles

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The addition of the STEM building activities and the brain puzzles have brought excitement within my fifth grade classroom.  Students are eager to try different activities. I gave very little direction on how to use the tools, and it was great seeing them work together.  These activities foster a positive interaction with communication, problem solving skills, and perseverance. Students are eager to share their ideas of things they have tried.  The STEM and brain puzzles definitely fit into promoting a positive growth mindset too.

Currently, we have used the KEVA blocks.  Students are able to create their own ideas, or follow a series of different puzzle cards.  There are 40 different opportunities to create images with the KEVA blocks Brain Builder cards.  The cards offer various levels of support to challenge students' thinking.  

Recently, after reading a chapter from our novel, I encouraged students to create a specific image from the chapter. Some students constructed the image on their own, while others used the KEVA card as a resource.  Discussions after the activity involved students' curiosity and asking to use these blocks more.  These will definitely become an asset with weekly rotations and will be shared with the other grade level teachers, so all fifth graders can benefit.  

The Lego Kit has been a hit too.  Students use the cards that are provided in the kit.  During morning choice time 5th graders are excited to start building and trying to improve their creations.  Although the kit provides step-by-step directions on what to build, I have noticed some students using their own ideas and explaining to others the "what and why" behind their creations.

I am planning to introduce the other brain puzzle activities within the next few weeks.  These activities allow for students to work in teams to construct a puzzle cube based on specific patterns and images.  

Ms. Melissa Hammer
5th Grade Teacher
Royalton Elementary