Coker Elementary School has been buzzing with creativity and innovation thanks to their librarian, LeeAnne Arnold. Arnold has cleverly integrated storytelling and books into the school’s STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) lessons, providing students with a unique and engaging learning experience.Beyond the traditional curriculum, Arnold has introduced stories reinforcing STEAM concepts such as creativity, perseverance, and collaboration. With a grant of $5,955.91, she’s been able to stock the school’s library with books related to STEAM topics and invest in materials like robots, programming activities, and maker/builder items.
During a recent visit from NEEF, students were captivated by the reading of The Dot. As a follow-up activity, they were challenged to design their own book covers, creating artwork within a circle. Using an app called Quiver on iPads, their “dots” came to life, transforming two-dimensional drawings into three-dimensional creations.
Third-grader Ellie Wilkins was particularly excited by this experience, expressing her delight as her cover seemed to jump off the page. Inspired by the story, Ellie felt empowered to draw whatever she wanted, saying, “I got inspired by the book because it made me think I could do anything in the world. I don’t need to worry about what other people think or tell me what to do.” This sense of empowerment is a testament to the transformative power of LeeAnne Arnold’s approach.
By combining storytelling with STEAM activities, she’s fostering creativity and critical thinking and empowering students to believe in their abilities.