Group items tagged

4th graders can create a pattern sequence with a rule or fill in the missing number in the sequence using the IXL online game/patterns: Geometric Growth Sequence

The Design Process: Identify a need or problem to be solved; brainstorm potential solutions; throughout the entire design process, document the design with drawings (including labels) in a portfolio or notebook so that the process can be replicated; select a solution to the need or problem; select the most appropriate materials to develop a solution that will meet the need; evaluate and test the design. This activity can be adapted for gifted students by allowing them to first draw a blueprint of their model. This will allow them to make predictions and hypothesis about their cube model and their tag board model. These students can then record their observations and their conclusions about their final product. This activity can also be adapted for younger grades by giving the students more materials to help them balance their models. Also, allowing the younger students to work in partners, rather than pairs, will allow them to more freely express their ideas. Working with a partner will give each student the opportunity to make sure their ideas are heard. For younger students, omitting the blueprint may also be helpful. Rather, having the students simply draw a picture of their model with labels may be more appropriate.

5.4.2 "Investigate the purpose of prototypes and models when designing a solution to a problem and how limitations in cost and design features might affect their construction." This activity can be modified for gifted students by having them make predictions or recommendations about the types of materials that could be added to the boats to improve their design and function. The activity could be modified for younger grades by having them design only two boats and decide which one is better. This would be ideal, because younger students may take more time to build and design their boats.

This has some interesting variations to our pennies in the boat activity. I like the math connection with the bidding slip and making sure they save their boats for later comparisons.

Sticky Note: This would be great to use with younger kids by making the distance shorter that the balloon had to travel and making the material list shorter. It would be a great way of graphing as well: graph the length of of each trial for each team.

5.4.1 Investigate technologies that mimic human or animal musculoskeletal systems in order to meet a need.5.4.2 Investigate the purpose of prototypes and models when designing a solution to a problem and how limitations in cost and design features might affect their construction.5.4.3 Design solutions to problems in the context of musculoskeletal body systems. Using suitable tools, techniques and materials, draw or build a prototype or model of a proposed design. Differentiation: For ELL and special education students; Create the model hand with the class as they create it.  Go step by step and do the process with them so they can watch you and hear the directions you are giving.

Extensions: This activity connects Natural Science with English (LA).   Students read books about recycling, reusing and reducing waste.   They also read about birdhouses. Finally, they write an essay on how the house is earth friendly. Adaptations: Gifted students can make their own birdhouse and document type of bird and habitat it is designed for.  ESL and Special Ed students can work in small groups or pairs to design birdhouse and do research/reading together. 

3.OA.7 "Fluently multiply and divide within 100, using strategies such as the relationship between multiplication and division (e.g., knowing that 8 × 5 = 40, one knows 40 ÷ 5 = 8) or properties of operations. By the end of Grade 3, know from memory all products of two one-digit numbers."

I would use an activity like this to incorporate learning into a reward, for example, taking students outside for good behavior, test grades, etc. Keeping hula hoops on hand is an inexpensive way to incorporate physical activity into academic instruction.

This project would also be excellent for creating a sense of community in the classroom as everyone would be working together toward a common goal (acceptance of their project by NASA_.   ELL differentiation:  I would probably find a different project to accommodate ELL's as this project is very intense, and requires a strong command of language (in order to follow instructions.)  It is possible to create a book of picture instructions for the project or give them a smaller, yet still important role in the class for this particular assignment.

4.G.2 "Classify two-dimensional figures based on the presence or absence of parallel or perpendicular lines, or the presence or absence of angles of a specified size. Recognize right triangles as a category, and identify right triangles." This activity can be modified for ELL students, gifted students, etc. by using fewer shapes, as well as shapes that are easier to identify. In the other sense, it can be modified to include more shapes that are more difficult to identify. This activity could also be used in other subject areas, such as science. It could be used to identify different classifications of plants and animals. It could also be used in foreign language. The students could read a vocabulary word in the foreign language, and then have to say the correct vocabulary work in English.

K.CC.4 "Understand the relationship between numbers and quantities; connect counting to cardinality." This activity can be used with ELL students by having them simply count the spaces, rather than finding the matching number from the die. The gifted students can be given cards, rather than die, with simple math problems on them. The student would move their froggy to the number on the board that is the solution to their math problem. For example, if their card read "3 + 2", the child would move their froggy to the 5 space. This activity could be used with older grades by using the card concept, but using multiplication or division problems.