Lila Greer, Teacher of the Year Read Aloud STEM Activity Teacher Appreciation

Celebrate teachers and creativity with this Lila Greer, Teacher of the Year Read Aloud STEM Activity.

Inspired by Lila Greer, Teacher of the Year by Andrea Beaty, this hands-on teacher appreciation STEM challenge invites students to design and build a Teacher of the Year trophy that can stand on its own.

Perfect for STEM, read-aloud extensions, writing, Teacher Appreciation Week, end-of-year activities, or schoolwide kindness projects, this lesson helps students practice engineering while honoring the teachers who make a difference.

What Students Do

• Listen to or read Lila Greer, Teacher of the Year, and discuss what makes teachers special.
• Design and build a Teacher of the Year trophy using materials such as aluminum foil, cups, tape, glue, index cards, pipe cleaners, beads, or recyclables.
• Create a trophy that stands on its own and includes a label explaining why the teacher deserves the award.
• Write about a teacher who has made a difference in their life.
• Use the included appreciation cards to recognize teachers throughout the school.

What’s Included

• Teacher instructions
• Student challenge letter
• Ask, Imagine, and Plan page
• Writing pages for teacher reflection
• Teacher appreciation cards
• Challenge sample photos
• Engineering Design Process posters
• Makerspace consumables and non-consumable materials lists
• Canva lesson slides link

This Lila Greer STEM activity is a meaningful way to blend engineering, writing, creativity, and gratitude while giving students a chance to celebrate the teachers who help them learn, grow, and shine.

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