Jack's Beanstalk

Who: Mrs. Blades' Class

Standard: Structure/Function: Exploring Design

     Mrs. Blades' class has been busy role-playing the part of an engineer.  We have learned that everything around us not made by nature was made by humans and was created for a specific purpose. For this activity, we read the book Jack and the Beanstalk. Students' then worked in small groups to create and design a beanstalk using only 10 pipe cleaners.  Beanstalks were then evaluated for their height and strength. Students had a great time engaging in this activity and what fun it was to watch and listen to their ideas!

Mrs. Streiff's Animal Adaptations

Mrs. Streiff's class had a great time exploring habitats around the world!  They traveled to the Arctic Tundra, the Amazon Rain Forest, the African Savanna, the Sahara Desert, and the Pacific Ocean. After much research, the students learned about the plants and animals that live in each environment and how their adaptations enable them to survive.  The students then "packed their suitcases" with appropriate clothing and items for their trip.  What fun!!



 

Jack's Beanstalk

Kindergarten students in Mrs. Butler’s class explored the meaning of structure and function.   After reading Jack and the Beanstalk, we brainstorm how we could make a beanstalk, only using 10 pipe cleaners.  The students really thought about what is needed for something to stand up ( a flat bottom!) The students were actively engaged with their classmates. I truly enjoyed listening to their ideas and how each idea needed to be revamp to make the structure serve the purpose.   The ending results were truly something to stand up about!!! The students enjoyed exploring structure and function through hands on activities!  Future scientist in the making!

Paintbrush Design

Structure and Function: Exploring Design

The students in Mrs. Foreman's kindergarten class have participated in discussions and hands on activities identifying the structure and function of products we use and see daily. They have explored, modeled, and evaluated objects to determine the specific purpose. 

In this lesson, the student's goal was to create a paintbrush. They had to build and test a physical model. The students identified the differences between new and improved paintbrushes in comparison to their creation. It was AMAZING to see their creative minds actively engaged. 

The supplies are distributed! Let the DESIGNING Begin!!! 

Future Engineers of America!!!

The students explored many ways to create their paintbrushes. Their engineering minds were hard at work!!

The smiles of success filled our classroom 

FUN with Properties of MATTER!

The students looked at the properties of pumpkins.  We discussed the colors,

textures, smells, and size of our pumpkins!

We also discussed the states of matter and identified different solids, liquids, and gases

around our classroom.  The students also designed and sketched an invention that would

help keep popsicles a solid instead melting to a liquid!

We enjoyed studying about the Properties and States of Matter!

Mrs. Taylor's 2nd Grade Class

Design and Function

Kindergarteners in Mrs. Dawkins’ class are tapping into their natural curiosity, and developing problem solving skills as they learn how to explore, plan, design and create.  Our lesson started by watching a book on video of the classic story, Jack and the Beanstalk. 

 

 We discussed what was the structure of the beanstalk? Tall and strong. What was the function? To get Jack to the top of the clouds. Mrs. Dawkins posed the problem of how to create their own beanstalk out of flexible pipe cleaners and make it so the beanstalk would stand up! A few ideas were shared collectively in a group setting and then we broke into partner groups to plan and create. As the partner groups worked, they discovered it was not easy to make the beanstalk stand up, so alternate ideas began “popping” up to help stop the beanstalk from “toppling” over! Some groups had pipe cleaner roots spread apart at the base, others looked sort of like “spiders” and some groups created a circular design for the base.

 

Once our beanstalk was able to stand...the next step was to balance a plastic egg on it! Oh no - back to the drawing board!!! Students had to redesign their beanstalk to make a "cup" shape to hold their egg. At first we struggled, but as some of our friends began to find a way...the energy spread around the room and we got excited that we could also balance our egg....or at least give it a good effort.

 

 

 

 As the students worked they tapped into engineering skills and critical thinking in an engaging and “hands-on” way.  Just as important, they learned that it is okay to make a mistake or revise an idea.  At the end of our session we shared our “creations” and noticed some similarities as well as some differences. Hmmmm …..it seems  there isn’t just one way to solve a problem! Now that’s an important life skill to know that will benefit these now and in the future.

Mrs. Godsey and Mrs. Fletcher Journey Around the World with Animal Adaptations!

Come take a look and see where our first graders traveled!  We studied various animal habitats and discovered the special ways animals adapt to their particular environment.  After carefully researching each location, the students "packed their suitcases" for an adventure!  They made sure to pack appropriate clothing and tools that would be necessary for them to adapt and survive in the frozen Arctic tundra, the hot and humid Amazon rainforest, the dry wild savannas of Africa, the dark mysterious Pacific Ocean, and the scorching hot deserts of Africa.