Lego Boats

Today students built their own Lego boat, then tested the buoyancy using weights (washers). Several modifications were needed, but all the students were able to hold at least one 6 oz. washer. After building and testing, students took a picture of their Lego boat using Pixect.com and screen clipped the picture into a summary slide with a reflection on what they learned today. Included in their reflection was a compare/ contrast Venn Diagram chart to the straw boats they made week four.
All the students were Champion students today!

Great Job!

Catapult Targets

Today we built catapults. First we did a Visual Thinking activity of a picture of four catapults. Then we read about the history of catapults using AVID Critical Reading Skills. Next, students were given fifteen coffee stirrers and four rubber bands. With the set of materials students built and modified small catapults with the hope of launching a small piece of foam over several set of distances (first launch 1 foot, second launch 2 feet, final launch as far as it could go). The class high score was a launch of five feet three inches! Students did several modification to reach great distances with their catapults. Our final step was writing a reflection and taking a picture of the catapults using their new net books! Well done Champions!

Boyant Boats!

Inquiry based learning:
Given a set of materials, how much mass can you get to stay on your straw boat?


Today students built and modified straw boats testing out buoyancy.
The Champion students worked in pairs and were given the following materials to use:
ten straws, 1 meter of tape, one meter of string, two note cards and two wooden coffee stirrers.

It took team work, modification and problem solving skills for students to be successful.
The goal was to see how many washers it could hold before sinking!
Students did an amazing job. The average boat mass was one washer.
We had one group who had a boat support four washers!

Our final step was writing a short reflection of what we learned to be posted on the class learning wall.... Well done Champions!

Students Create Board Games for a Review!

The Champion Students of room A8 created their own board games using material from our first unit of study. Students were given a rubric to create a creative board game. After making their board games, they played them with their classmates. Finally, they critiqued each others games and reflected on their experience. Most students could not decide what was more fun, creating them or playing them. Well done Champions!

Final step, take them home and share with their families.... Super!

Student Champions Build Flag Towers!

Today, working in pairs, students designed and built a flag tower with a set amount of materials.

First, we read about the history of flags and their significance. Then students designed their flag with words and designs on a post-it.

Next, using 20 note cards, a meter of tape, two paper clips, and one Styrofoam cup per team, students built their towers. Every team worked well together and was able to get their flag to stand on their structure!

One team was able to get their Flag Tower 57 inches high!

Our final step was writing a post card to a friend about what they build and learned today.

Great job Champions!