Over the last few weeks, Scholar's having been exploring natural resources.
They began their learning with a rock exploration. They used their learning from properties of matter to help describe their favorite rock.
They began their learning with a rock exploration. They used their learning from properties of matter to help describe their favorite rock.
Students then went on a rock hunt in the garden to see how rocks were used. The found rocks can be used for bricks, sidewalks, blacktops, stairs, pathways, decorations, we even found out chalk was made from rock! I eventually heard the magic phrase, "we use rocks for so many things!"
The next step was to find what rock turned into once it was weathered down. Students passed around a tin can filled with rocks, gave it a few shakes to symbolize the weather over time, then we looked inside.
The next step was to find what rock turned into once it was weathered down. Students passed around a tin can filled with rocks, gave it a few shakes to symbolize the weather over time, then we looked inside.
As we opened the lid puff of brown dust came out! Students quickly shouted out "They made dirt!"
From there we jumped into learning about "dirt". We quickly changed the word dirt into soil and we explored many different kinds. Students were able to investigate properties of sand, potting soil, and clay.
From there we jumped into learning about "dirt". We quickly changed the word dirt into soil and we explored many different kinds. Students were able to investigate properties of sand, potting soil, and clay.
We were also able to do some work in our garden which led us to great conversations about what we can find in soil.
After all this learning about these major natural resources it was time to put our engineering skills to the test. Student's listened to The Tale of Peter Rabbit and were challenged by Mr. McGregor to build a wall around his garden that could keep a rabbit out.
Our scholar's gained some background knowledge about rabbits from a special visitor, a lop ear rabbit named Mr. Ruffles. They were also able to Skype with a master gardener who gave some ideas on how to keep a rabbit out.
Our scholar's gained some background knowledge about rabbits from a special visitor, a lop ear rabbit named Mr. Ruffles. They were also able to Skype with a master gardener who gave some ideas on how to keep a rabbit out.
With all this new knowledge scholar's began to imagine ideas for how their wall could look and how different materials could stack on top of each other to create the sturdiest structure. They collected some natural resources from around the school then went to work building!
As I looked through every pairs plan I noticed they all choose clay to work with over potting soil and sand. When I questioned them on this choice they explained that due to their previous learning they remembered clay clumped together the best and therefore would be the perfect soil to build a wall with. Yay schema!
Scholar's had to make their wall as long as two craft sticks and as tall as a clothespin. Walls had to stand on their own and had to be able to withstand a bump from a bunny (aka Beebot in a rabbit costume.)
I saw a lot of perseverance during this challenge. Student's had a hard time figuring out how to make their wall stay standing without support. Many realized the more clay they used the heavier their wall became. In the end, I only had one wall truly pass all criteria checks, but I think this gave students a great insight into the engineering process. It really caused them to stretch their thinking when their first idea did not work.
Scholar's had to make their wall as long as two craft sticks and as tall as a clothespin. Walls had to stand on their own and had to be able to withstand a bump from a bunny (aka Beebot in a rabbit costume.)
I saw a lot of perseverance during this challenge. Student's had a hard time figuring out how to make their wall stay standing without support. Many realized the more clay they used the heavier their wall became. In the end, I only had one wall truly pass all criteria checks, but I think this gave students a great insight into the engineering process. It really caused them to stretch their thinking when their first idea did not work.