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By using simple tools, such as crayons, markers, and pencils, children are exposed to the basic technological concept of integrating tools to support and complete their work. These tools are basic ones that every child will use, but more sophisticated items can be used as well, such as digital cameras and tablets, to learn about technology while also learning in multiple other content areas.

There are many ways technology can be integrated into other subject areas. STEM Play: Integrating Inquiry into Learning Centers has activities educators and parents can use to incorporate not only technology into activities but math, literacy, problem solving, science, engineering, physical development, and social interactions as well!

Use these two activities from STEM Play: Integrating Inquiry into Learning Centers to integrate technology into activities involving art and block play.

Every Picture Tells a Story

Children are invited to create a picture and then tell the story that goes with them using the StoryKit app.

Skills Supported

  • Using creativity
  • Developing fine motor skills
  • Engaging in inquiry
  • Using narrative language
  • Noticing detail
  • Using patterns
  • Exploring physical science
  • Using technology
  • Exploring visual arts
  • Demonstrating creative expression

Materials

  • Select three well-known paintings or art prints, such as The Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh, Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci, and Boy Meets His Dog by Norman Rockwell, and bring pictures of them to show children
  • A graph with the three picture names and images
  • Sticky notes
  • Large paper
  • Paint
  • StoryKit app on and iPad

What to Do

  1. Introduce the activity. You might say, “Did you know… every picture tells a story? I have three famous pictures here. I want you to look at each one carefully. Then, I will ask some people if they think they might know the story behind the picture.”
  2. Show the pictures one at a time, and ask for volunteers to share ideas.
  3. Tell children some background information about the three photographs.
  4. Ask children to think about which picture they like the best and why.
  5. Tell them, “I have a graph that you can use to vote. I will call your name and you should take a sticky note and put it on the graph to show your favorite.”
  6. Ask children to help you count how many votes each picture has. “Count with me. Which picture has the most votes? Which picture has the least votes?”
  7. Ask children to think about a picture they might want to create. “What will you make? What story will your picture tell?”
  8. If children finish their pictures in time, they may use the StoryKit app on an iPad to take pictures and record their voices telling the stories.

Our Book of Buildings

Children are often reluctant to put blocks away when they have worked so hard to build their structures. This activity is a great way to help children record and remember what they have created—and to inspire their future creations!

Skills Supported

  • Demonstrating creative expression
  • Developing fine motor skills
  • Using narrative language
  • Developing print awareness
  • Using oral language
  • Developing social-emotional skills
  • Using technology

Materials

What to Do

  1. When the children are building structures in the block area, talk with them about what they are building.
  2. When a child has completed a structure, encourage him to create a drawing or take photos of his building.
  3. Using a camera, help the child record his structure and tell about it using a story-creation app such as StoryKit. As more children create and photograph structures, they can add them to the classroom collection, creating a class book of building ideas. Print out pictures of the structures or the stories created on StoryKit and have them in the block center for children to view.
  4. If the child has drawn a picture on paper, let him dictate to you what he wants to say about his structure; copy his story word-for-word on the back of the paper or on a seperate sheet of paper. Add his drawing and story to the class book of building ideas. Keep the book in the block center for the children to look at whenever they wish.