Structures Unit
Over the past month we have been learning about structures. To explore the different aspects of effective structures, the students were presented with weekly challenges. With their team, the students followed the Design Loop to complete each challenge.
Tower Challenge:
Build a tall tower with the material the team is provided that stands independently.
Plan and Create
Experiment and Improve
Tower with aluminium foil
Strategy: "Make it curve so it balances"
Tower with paper
Strategy: "Make a wide base and make the tower skinnier as it gets taller"
Tower with cups
Strategy: "Tape the cups together to add strength"
Cube Challenge:
Build a cube strong enough to drop without breaking
Exploring materials to build a strong square (spaghetti versus toothpicks; homemade play dough versus pongo)
Collaboration
Success!
Feeling proud of their commitment
Teamwork at its best!
Push and Pull
As an introduction to the concepts of tension and compression, the students used their bodies to act out building shapes and understanding the forces of push and pull. Then they used their bodies to understand how it feels to be a building that is in "push" or "pull". Finally, we looked at images of buildings to identify the forces of push and pull at play.
Column- feeling compression
Arch- discussing where they feel the most pressure and how far apart they can stand before it collapses
Dome- understanding how it uses both tension and compression
Bead Challenge:
Build a structure that uses tension to suspend the bead in the air.
Imagining and Planning
Creating, Experimenting, Improving
Creating, Experimenting, Improving
We did it with commitment and teamwork!
Geodesic Dome
The students learned that the American engineer and architect Buckminster Fuller had an invention that changed dome engineering. The geodesic dome is a partial sphere shape structured from a series of triangles, rather than a series of arches. Today geodesic domes can be found all over the world in many different styles.
The group challenge was to build geodesic dome using only newspaper.
Making the design- tessellating triangles made with rolled newspaper
Putting it all together
Bridge Challenge
Build a strong bridge that can withstand the force of a ball bouncing on it (material- Kapla blocks).
The Test
Chair Challenge
Build a chair that holds the weight of a teacher applying their knowledge about the strength of three dimensional shapes.
Testing the strength of 3D shapes
Our Discovery: The cylinder was the strongest shape! It took all of this weight before it buckled!
Onto the Chair Challenge using the strength of a cylinder!
Finished Chair
Finished Chair
Finished Chair
The Test- Can each chair hold the weight of a teacher?
Foundation and Structure Challenge
The students were introduced to the term foundation. While looking at photos of the Eiffel Tower and other tall structures, the students discussed parts that made the structure strong and stable. They were then shown images of construction sites where a foundation was being made. The students reflected on their first tower challenge, and discussed how using a foundation could have improved their design. Then the students were sent off on a new challenge: Build a structure that they think is strong and stable. They will test the strength of the structures in two different ways.
The Wind Test
Will the buildings withstand a gust of wind?
The Weight Test
The students' structures were tested by seeing how much weight it could hold. They were reminded that building hold furniture, people, and other things that add weight on a structure.
Testing our structures by adding weight
Examining Structures at Home
Thank you for helping your child explore the structures in their neighborhoods. First, the students used their photos to practice a visible thinking routine- I See, I Think, I Wonder. Then they worked in teams to sort the photos in any way they decided. Students immediately recognized columns, arches, 2D shapes, and 3D shapes. Numerous children pointed out examples of tension and compression. They categorized the images and labeled the groups. Each team presented their findings. Finally, all the pages were assembled into a book for our class library.
Discussing what we see
Sorting images
Construction Play Area
Thank you for sending in boxes and containers! The children have been researching, planning, designing, and building many interesting things in our Construction area! Some of the creations are a castle, soccer pitch, fishing poles, and a car.
Learner Profile
As we work together daily, students have the chance to demonstrate the learner profile attributes. As students display these attributes, they get to add a scoop to the appropriate attribute jar. Together we celebrate our contributions to our class and school communities.
New EC Garden Project
We were very excited to find out our FoA proposal for new playground equipment was approved! We are excited to announce that before the items even arrived, the students were immersed with outdoor learning opportunities! The Prep students applied their planning and measuring skills to decide the location of the new items. As the new equipment is delivered, the students will be able to observe the installation process and participate in the building when appropriate.
Measuring the outline for our new house
Measuring the outline for our sandbox
Mr. Ghin starting to build the sand box.
Some students had the opportunity to help build it!
Stories Unit
We had another parent come in as a special guest reader. We enjoyed listening to a story in English and another one in Spanish!
Writing our own Stories
As students develop a better understanding of how stories are structured, they decided to make their own. In groups, they completed a story map. They discussed the setting, characters, and plot. Each team made sure the plot had a problem that came to an exciting ending. Then the groups performed in our classroom movie theatre!
Here are the movie trailers for each of their stories. Enjoy!
Math
The students have been exploring the properties of 2D and 3D shapes. They have explored both inside and outside the classroom and have reflected on why architects and engineers choose to use particular shapes in their structures and designs.This is one student's project showing her thinking as she found shapes in school.
"I found triangles on this sign."
"His ear is a sphere."
"The stick is a cylinder."
Exploring 3D shapes in the real world
Field Trips
Neighborhood Walk
Take a moment to watch the digital photo story created by the students on their walk through the neighborhood!
Villa Pamphili
Take an inside look at our field trip!
Language Arts
The students use their reading, writing, and communication skills throughout the day. Whether they are writing in their Design Book, creating a story, or practicing sight words, their ability to blend and segment sounds are strengthening. Continue to encourage your child to read and write on a daily basis.
