The Official STEMscopes Blog

Throughout this past year, COVID-19 has reminded us that things don’t always go according to plan. The pandemic has required many of us to stretch our boundaries and adjust to new ways of life. When thinking about how the pandemic has affected both teachers and students, one can only imagine the scope of teachable life moments that have crossed their paths. With the weight of health, safety, stress, and a continuously changing school environment, it’s likely that both teachers and students have made their fair share of mistakes. Could this be a good thing, though? Mistakes are bound to happen, and most can be turned into a wonderful learning tool. Perhaps, by sharing mistakes, teachers can support students’ SEL, which in turn would help enhance their learning, confidence, and cooperative peer relationships. We thought we’d review the four types of mistakes that shine a light on growth opportunities for both teachers and students.

Imagine two classroom scenarios. In the first scenario, a teacher gives a 15-minute lecture on multiplying fractions and then, without asking if they have questions, gives students a worksheet to complete. In the second scenario, a different teacher introduces the same topic by reviewing relevant vocabulary, using visual aids, and leaving plenty of time for questions and discussion. 

With a Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education, a Master’s in Administration, and extensive experience teaching elementary school, Kimberly Pardue is a rock star of curriculum writing. She’s one more shining example of how STEMscopes Math is written by teachers, for teachers.

The effects of the pandemic have left almost no one untouched, and education is one area in particular that has experienced tremendous hardship. In December 2020, the former administration signed into effect a $900 billion stimulus package that includes section H.R. 133, which provides $70 billion to help public and private schools recover from the pandemic. This bill is of paramount importance for anybody with skin in the education game (which is all of us), so we’ve provided an overview of how H.R. 133 works.

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