Category: Tech/Eng

Grade 1 • A Visitor For Bear

Published June 21, 2022 by tfurman

A Visitor For Bear

A Visitor For Bear

Lesson Summary

Design a Mouse Trap/Carrier

A Visitor for Bear tells the story of a bear who lives alone and does not like visitors. A persistant mouse comes to visit and won’t go away despite the bear’s insistence that he does not want the mouse in his house. Finally, the bear lets the mouse stay and the two become friends.

In this activity, students are challenged to design a type of trap or way to capture the mouse and bring him away from the house. The trap/carrier must have a handle and be able to support the weight of 3 unifix cubes (or other selected measure).

View Lesson Plan

STE or Math Standards

  • Engineering Design:
    1.K.2.ETS.1.1. Ask questions, make observations, and gather information about a situation people want to change that can be solved by developing or improving an object or tool
    1.K.2.ETS.1.2. Generate multiple solutions to a design problem and make a drawing (plan) to represent one or more of the solutions
    1.K.2.ETS1.2. Generate multiple solutions to a design problem and make a drawing (plan) to represent one or more of the solutions.

ELA Standards

  • Speaking and Listening  Ask and answer questions about key details in a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media 

    • Add drawings or other visual displays to descriptions when appropriate to clarify ideas, thoughts, and feelings.
    • Produce complete sentences appropriate to task and situation.

Video

 A Visitor For Bear by Bonnie Becker

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Grade 5 • Hidden Figures

Published June 16, 2022 by tfurman

Hidden Figures

Hidden Figures Book Cover

Lesson Summary

Design a launch system

In Hidden Figures, we learn about four black women who were “really good” at math. So good that they worked as computers for NASA and helped John Glenn, the first man in space, to successfully orbit the Earth.

The “Space Race” is back on and we need your help! Design and build a launch system that will allow an object to be launched and “escape” Earth’s gravity for the longest time.

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Science or Math Standards

  • Motion and Stability – Forces and Interactions:
    5.PS2.1. Support an argument with evidence that the gravitational force exerted by Earth on objects is directed toward Earth’s center.
  • 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

  • Speaking and Listening (SL) Comprehension and Collaboration:
    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

Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race

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Grade 2 • Help! A Story of Friendship

Published May 31, 2022 by tfurman

Help! A Story of Friendship

Design A Way To Get Mouse Out Of The Hole

A mouse is friends with other animals.  One friend tells Mouse to be careful of Snake, because snakes eat mice.  Mouse becomes afraid of his friend, Snake.  He becomes so upset when he is out walking he doesn’t notice a large hole in the ground and falls in.  How can his friends get him out of the hole?  In this challenge the students will design and build a different way to get Mouse out of the hole.

View Lesson Plan

STE or Math Standards

  • Engineering Design:2.K.2.ETS1.3. Analyze data from tests of two objects designed to solve the same design problem to compare the strengths and weaknesses of how each object performs.*

ELA Standards

  • Comprehension and Collaboration
    CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.2.1. Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about grade 2 topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.
    CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.2.1.A. Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions.
    CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.2.1.B. Build on others’ talk in conversations by linking their comments to the remarks of others.
    CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.2.1.C. Ask for clarification and further explanation as needed about the topics and texts under discussion

Video

Help! A Story of Friendship by Holly Keller

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