Steam Point: A Guide to Integrating Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics Through the Common Core

STEAM Point is a guide for teachers and administrators who are looking to leverage Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics to close the achievement gap for all students and authentically teach practices embedded within the Common Core State Standards. Specifically included in this guide: *Curriculum maps integrating Common Core English Language Arts and Math Standards, STEM practices and Fine Arts Standards, as well as Lesson Thread Ideas. *Integrated Lesson Seeds *Assessment strategies to measure student growth with integrity in performance-based tasks and processes, which are key to 21st century skills and STEAM practices. This essential guide provides you with the tools you need to engage all learners and provide relevant and rigorous opportunities that your students will be excited about long after they leave your classroom. Reviews Wow is the first thing that comes to mind after reading the STEAM book There are so many great ideas that make so much sense. I like the way your writing addresses the questions your readers will have before those questions get a chance to fully form in their mind. Reading the assessment part has given me a new and much more positive outlook on assessment. You do a great job of helping others see ways to fit things together, even the things that others may not see ways to connect at first. The way you present information in this book makes it understandable when it may seem way too complicated otherwise. - Melissa Edwards, Instructional Technology Specialist So much work has been done here for the educator. Susan has created curriculum maps that align the Common Core State Standards with the National Arts Standards and intertwine with both STEM concepts and lesson ideas in one reference. This is followed by 10 complete and attractively presented lesson seeds, where Susan explains in more detail an integration lesson idea which includes all the information a teacher would need to modify the idea for his or her group of students and implement the lesson into his or her classroom. The section on assessment takes the pressure off the idea that assessment is finite and poses it as more of a natural process of growth for teacher and student. Included are many practical and useful options for teachers who may be weary of the idea of assessing something they may not feel qualified to teach. These assessments include formative, portfolios, and performance. Susan includes ideas for each type of assessment, again making it easy for a teacher to make true integration happen in their classroom. Steam Point is the type of book I want at my fingertips as I plan my lessons and collaborate with colleagues. It is easy to reference and is full of quality, integrated ideas spanning all the major driving forces of educational curriculum. Susan has written the book I have wanted to write, read and share with my colleagues and adult students - Elizabeth Peterson, Teacher and Arts Integration Specialist.