I used to dabble in outdoor STEM. They were usually teachable moments that sprang up in the middle of a lesson. Back then, I couldn’t see the full extent of what was happening...Many of the indoor experiences I struggled to create were already happening naturally outside.

These Kindergarteners are building a vehicle for a STEM challenge. As a kindergarten teacher, one of my favorite bonding activities was to tell the class we were going to do something sneaky. I would turn all hush-hush, while looking around. I’d pretend to noticeably think to myself. I’d whisper to the class that I was letting them do something they probably shouldn’t be doing. I’d say how I hoped we didn’t get caught. It usually involved a lot of giggles. It didn’t take my students long...

Writing for meaning wasn’t something I set out to teach. It was something I learned over time, as I watched student motivation rise and fall depending on how writing was used.