SRI&ETTC

Heritage Documentation Programs offers a virtual field trip takes you through the experience of  Ellis Island in a 360-degree tour.  This tour is excellent for students as they learn about the history of the arrivals and see where many of our families came through when making their way to America from other countries. Each screen offers information and history on each page, with primary source images and files from immigrants, as well as videos to watch and mesh models of architectural features to examine. We suggest you explore the toolbar, which offers thumbnail views and site fly-throughs of the entire complex. No matter where you click, there is historical information on the right-hand side.  When you are done with one "slide" you click "next" and it brings you to more information and media including data about the immigrants. To frame the conversation with students, try the five-part video series on this page that includes some essential questions to dri

Mathematical manipulatives such as Algebra tiles allow students to practice algebraic thinking.  These tiles have been proven to provide concrete models that can help students develop concepts related to integers, algebraic expressions, equations, and polynomials.  For students new to solving equations, solving for x is abstract. In elementary school, we use number lines to understand integers. Similarly, algebra tiles make solving equations, combining like terms, or factoring polynomials a visual and more kinesthetic process. This virtual option from @DidaxEducation   allows you to use Algebra tiles regardless of where the student may be, provided they have access to the internet. Some teachers actually prefer the virtual tiles to having plastic pieces or cardstock bits that need to be managed, organized, and cleaned after each use. The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics  @NCTM also has a virtual option with a little more explanation on how to use them and this emulator als

Challenge your students to draw isometric hearts for a Valentine's themed STEAM activity. We also love these origami hearts folded in three different ways from Emma at Gathering Beauty.  Please visit her site for the templates and directions.    For the Littles, we have these Valentine's cards with yarn and cardboard shared by @DarcyGrimesNC and if you really want to get making, dig out the wood, hammer, and nails, and some threads to create these beautiful string art woodblocks. In West Orange, @BevTindall had a "Hearts and Crafts," idea that involved paper quilling. There are so many STEAM and STEM-based choices for us to use, depending on what we have on hand in our MakerSpaces.  It isn't "Heart" to get started... and we hope you share your 2022 ideas with us!