Third Grade Explore
Welcome to our trip Around the World!!
Week 1
We started off our unit by saying hello with a twist. Each student had to say hello to the class, but they were not allowed to use any language that had already been shared. After that we took a "flight" to London. We discussed the origin of the children's song London Bridge is Falling Down" and the truth about the many bridges that were built in this location. (Little known fact, if you want to see the London Bridge you do not need to travel to London, you can find it at Lake Havasau, Arizona) The students were given their challenge: build London bridge of toothpicks and gumdrops and see how much weight it wil hold! Before setting them off we discussed the ABDCE steps of the Engineering Design Process.
A-Ask (what questions do you need answered?)
B- Brainstorm (any ideas are good)
D- Design (select the design that will solve the challenge best, draw a diagram)
C-Create (chose the best solution and build your model)
E- Evaluate & rEfine (identify problems with your design, return to your design process
-Ask what can be changed/Brainstorm answers/Change your design/reDesign/re-Evaluate)
The students were then given time to work through the first steps of the Engineering Design Process. Next week they will build and test their bridges.
Week 2
This week we had a shortened class as the students were participating in their class speech meets. We still had enough time to go through the Engineering Design Process and build their London Bridges. It was great to hear the students using the wording from the design process as they worked. Gumdrops and Toothpicks clearly are not the strongest bridge building items, but still the two strongest bridges were able to hold 101 beads before "london bridge" fell down.
Week 3
This week we are traveling to Mexico to learn about the native people called the Huichol. This people group are most famous for their amazing art designs usually created with beads or yarn. The students learned a little more about these people and their region, and then they had the opportunity to design their own art. To learn a little more about these people and their art here are a couple of links to explore:
Huichol Art
Week 4