Brave Irene

One Well: The Story of Water on Earth

Lesson Summary

Meet Irene, a determined little girl who braves cold and harsh weather to deliver an important, large package. Choose one problem and then use your knowledge of the properties of materials to design a solution to help Irene more easily deliver the package.

  1. Design a tool for Irene that will help her to carry a big, but light box easily in a snowstorm the next time she has to deliver a package.
  2. Design a wind and cold proof coat using a combination of materials that will help Irene stay warm and dry during her journey to deliver the package

STE or Math Standards

  • Matter and Its Interactions:

    5.PSI.3. Make observations and measurements of substances to describe characteristic properties of each, including color, hardness, reflectivity, electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, response to magnetic forces, and solubility.

  • Technological Systems:

    5.3.5.ETS3.2(MA). Use sketches or drawings to show how each part of a product or device relates to other parts in the product or device.

ELA Standards

  • Comprehension and Collaboration:

    CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.5.1. Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 5 topics and texts, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly

Video

Brave Irene read by Al Gore