Congratulations to Tera and Sarah, the winners of last month's Biggby coffee gift cards drawing! And a big thanks to Biggby for donating them!
I've always had a fascination for architectural blueprints. Using a protractor, I drew many house designs of my own as a kid. Later, my husband and I built several homes of our own. An exciting part is to walk through new construction once the walls are studded up and see spaces such as where an extra cupboard could be placed that would otherwise be drywalled over. We were also into flipping houses decades before it ever became popular.
So when I saw a picture and a one sentence caption of a STEM architecture activity that takes off on The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka I knew I had to explore it further. There were no details so I decided to create my own.
I've always had a fascination for architectural blueprints. Using a protractor, I drew many house designs of my own as a kid. Later, my husband and I built several homes of our own. An exciting part is to walk through new construction once the walls are studded up and see spaces such as where an extra cupboard could be placed that would otherwise be drywalled over. We were also into flipping houses decades before it ever became popular.
Our first flip back in 1986 in Appleton, Wisconsin.
We were 22 and 23 years old...crazy kids!!
So when I saw a picture and a one sentence caption of a STEM architecture activity that takes off on The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka I knew I had to explore it further. There were no details so I decided to create my own.
I also read the traditional version to compare and contrast the two. |
After reading the story and using it as an example of first person narration and finding appropriate descriptive words for both the pig (clever, resourceful) and the wolf (determined, strong, tenacious), students engaged in a STEM activity.
The task involved huffing and puffing and building the tallest but sturdiest model house for the pigs out of toothpicks and marshmallows. Maybe not in that order. And the wolf? A blow dryer.
Meet Mr. Huff N' Puff himself. The Wolf. |
Building Some Background
My goal was to give students opportunity to write detailed descriptive nonfiction through challenge based learning while working on a STEM project. Before beginning their design plan, students watched a clip of Magic School Bus Under Construction to give clues of sturdy construction. Then we read A Skyscraper Reaches Up by Kylie Burns found on the EPIC book app to form an understanding of the Engineering Design Process.
Planning for Construction
One last piece of research was providing students with "toothpick and marshmallow tower images" online on their ipads. They had many pictures of various toothpick/marshmallow structures to view in order to help them decide how to proceed with their own constructing. Given 25 small marshmallows and 35 toothpicks and armed with some background knowledge of building, students each developed their own plan of construction in descriptive step by step written directions along with a sketch. This was a fantastic time to practice transition words and phrases too...first, next, then...
I love the various materials incorporated to engage the learners!
ReplyDeleteThis is a really cute idea. What a great way to incorporate a variety of subjects and skills. For example, our reading program just included vocabulary on engineering that would tie in well with this activity. I can also attest to the enjoyment of the activity. The kids talked about it for days (whose held up and whose didn't, how they could make theirs better next time, how they might have their family try it out at home). What a great way to get kids interested in writing (and science, engineering...).
DeleteDo you have a link to the forms you used, that you are willing to share? We just read this book today, as a part of our persuasive writing unit. This would be fun to incorporate.
ReplyDeleteI love this type of inclusive activity that involves so many of the skills learners will need in their future !
ReplyDeleteI am excited to try this activity in my own classroom. I am trying to incorporate more STEM projects into my classroom and this may be a must do in my class. Great Job explaining the process Jena and, I hope that you'll share the source of the worksheet so that we can try it more easily.
ReplyDelete