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🚀 C-STREAM Quick Start Guide

Location: Our Lady of the Prairie Catholic School · Belle Plaine, MN · Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis

Welcome to C-STREAM! This one-page guide will get you teaching in your first two weeks with minimal prep. Follow the steps below in order.

⏱️ Before Your First Day (30 minutes)

Step 1: Know Your Time Blocks

Grade Level Session Length
Kindergarten 25 minutes
Grades 1-2 30 minutes
Grades 3-4 40 minutes
Grades 5-6 45 minutes

Step 2: Gather Basic Supplies

These items are needed for Week 1 across all grades:

  • Chart paper or whiteboard

  • Markers/crayons (class set)

  • Plain paper or student journals

  • STREAM letter cards or poster (print from Templates)

  • Picture of Gregor Mendel (Google Images works!)

Step 3: Find Your Week 1 Lesson

Your Grade Go To
Kindergarten Lessons/Kindergarten/Week01
Grades 1-2 Lessons/Grades_1-2_YearA/Week01
Grades 3-4 Lessons/Grades_3-4_YearA/Week01
Grades 5-6 Lessons/Grades_5-6_YearA/Week01

💡 Year A or Year B? Check with your school. Year A and B alternate each year so students don't repeat content.

📅 Week 1: Welcome to C-STREAM

Your One Goal This Week

Introduce C-STREAM and spark wonder. That's it! Don't worry about mastering everything.

Simple Lesson Flow (All Grades)

  1. Opening Prayer (2-3 min) — Thank God for curious minds
  2. What is C-STREAM? (5-8 min) — Go through each letter together
  3. Meet a Catholic Scientist (5 min) — Share Gregor Mendel's story
  4. Wonder Question (5-8 min) — "What do you wonder about?"
  5. Goal Setting (5-8 min) — Students draw/write one learning goal
  6. Closing Prayer (2 min) — Ask God to help us learn

What Success Looks Like

✅ Students can name what C-STREAM stands for
✅ Students shared at least one "wonder question"
✅ You finished on time (close enough counts!)

📅 Week 2: First Hands-On Activity

Before Week 2

  • Read your Week 2 lesson (or Week 2-3 if it's a multi-week unit)

  • Check if CSCOE materials are needed — reserve 2 weeks ahead!

  • Gather materials listed in the lesson

Week 2 Tips

  • Let them struggle a little — Productive struggle builds problem-solving skills

  • Use the Engineering Design Process — Ask, Imagine, Plan, Create, Test, Improve

  • Connect to faith naturally — "What does this teach us about God's creation?"

🆘 Quick Troubleshooting

Problem Solution
Lesson running long Skip to closing prayer; finish next week
Lesson too short Add sharing time: "Tell a partner what you learned"
Kids too excited/noisy Channel energy: "Show me your thinking with your hands"
Missing materials Improvise! Paper and pencils can substitute for many activities
Technology not working Have a backup: draw designs on paper instead

📚 Essential Resources

Resource What It's For
Year Planner See the whole year at a glance
CSCOE Library Guide Reserve robotics & kits (2-week lead time!)
Sub Plans Emergency no-prep lessons
Parent Sheets Send home with students
Catholic Scientists Profiles for every lesson

✝️ Remember Why We Do This

"Science and faith are complementary – the beautiful harmony of faith and reason so students can be a light in the secular world."

C-STREAM isn't about being a perfect STEM teacher. It's about:

  • Sparking wonder at God's creation

  • Building confidence through hands-on learning

  • Connecting faith and reason naturally

  • Serving others through what we create

You've got this! 🌟

📞 Need Help?

Last updated: December 2025