STEM: Doodle-Winter-Balance (Design Investigation: Weights and Balance)
In this lesson, students will work in pairs using the 3Doodler to doodle objects related to the winter season. Students will doodle these objects in different sizes and weights. The challenge will be for students to balance their objects, considering their varying weights and sizes.
Knowledge
Students have
had experience exploring weights and balance with a classroom scale.
had practice doodling lines, shapes and fill.
had experience exploring weights and balance with a classroom scale.
had practice doodling lines, shapes and fill.
Objectives
Students will
brainstorm winter objects.
select winter objects for this challenge.
design stencils for 3 small, 2 medium and 1 large winter object.
doodle their stencils.
create a mobile for their objects.
balance their objects on the mobile.
brainstorm winter objects.
select winter objects for this challenge.
design stencils for 3 small, 2 medium and 1 large winter object.
doodle their stencils.
create a mobile for their objects.
balance their objects on the mobile.
Materials
Students will need
3Doodler (1 per pair)
straws (1 or 2 per pair)
bulldog clip (1 per pair)
5 feet of string (1 per pair)
masking tape (1 roll per pair)
3Doodler (1 per pair)
straws (1 or 2 per pair)
bulldog clip (1 per pair)
5 feet of string (1 per pair)
masking tape (1 roll per pair)
Lesson Plan
Instructions
Step 1 - PREPARATION
If students have not previously played with a counterbalance scale, have them do so now.
Have students play around with balancing objects of different sizes and weights on the scale.
*This can be done as a small center activity.
Follow the directions below to create your own Doodle-Winter-Balance Mobile so that you can share an example with the students.
Step 2
Call students to the whole group. Have them brainstorm objects related to winter, e.g., skates, mittens, hot chocolate, snowman, sled, boots, Santa, holiday tree, etc. Chart their responses on the board.
Step 3
Share the goal: Project your tablet or computer screen on the board for students to view the Doodle-Winter Balance Stencils. Explain that they will need to create stencils for 3 different objects of different sizes and weights, which they will later balance on a mobile. Show students the mobile you created. Note how the objects are dispersed for balance.
Step 4
Share the challenge: Students may use no more than 1 stick of plastic on their small doodles, 2 sticks of plastic on their medium doodle and 3 sticks of plastic on their large doodle. Ask students which doodled objects will be the heaviest? Why?
Step 5
Prompt students to make predictions about what will happen.
*The largest object will need to be counterbalanced by a combination of smaller or medium-sized objects.
Step 6
Use the Doodle-Winter Balance Stencils to model how to draw and doodle each object, outlining first and then filling. Students should attempt to use the total stick requirement for each doodle, or as close to it as possible when doodling. It may be easier to doodle each object a solid color to keep track of how much plastic is used.
Step 7
Divide students into pairs. Hand out the Doodle-Winter Balance Stencils and the 3Doodlers. Instruct students to select winter-objects from the brainstormed chart created earlier.
Step 8
Instruct students to doodle a loop on top of each doodle, so it can be hung later.
Step 9
After students have completed their doodles. Model how to create a mobile using string, tape, straw and a bull clip.
*Depending on the level of the students, you may determine the criteria, e.g., balancing all objects or just a selected number.
If students have not previously played with a counterbalance scale, have them do so now.
Have students play around with balancing objects of different sizes and weights on the scale.
*This can be done as a small center activity.
Follow the directions below to create your own Doodle-Winter-Balance Mobile so that you can share an example with the students.
Call students to the whole group. Have them brainstorm objects related to winter, e.g., skates, mittens, hot chocolate, snowman, sled, boots, Santa, holiday tree, etc. Chart their responses on the board.
Share the goal: Project your tablet or computer screen on the board for students to view the Doodle-Winter Balance Stencils. Explain that they will need to create stencils for 3 different objects of different sizes and weights, which they will later balance on a mobile. Show students the mobile you created. Note how the objects are dispersed for balance.
Share the challenge: Students may use no more than 1 stick of plastic on their small doodles, 2 sticks of plastic on their medium doodle and 3 sticks of plastic on their large doodle. Ask students which doodled objects will be the heaviest? Why?
Prompt students to make predictions about what will happen.
*The largest object will need to be counterbalanced by a combination of smaller or medium-sized objects.
Use the Doodle-Winter Balance Stencils to model how to draw and doodle each object, outlining first and then filling. Students should attempt to use the total stick requirement for each doodle, or as close to it as possible when doodling. It may be easier to doodle each object a solid color to keep track of how much plastic is used.
Divide students into pairs. Hand out the Doodle-Winter Balance Stencils and the 3Doodlers. Instruct students to select winter-objects from the brainstormed chart created earlier.
Instruct students to doodle a loop on top of each doodle, so it can be hung later.
After students have completed their doodles. Model how to create a mobile using string, tape, straw and a bull clip.
*Depending on the level of the students, you may determine the criteria, e.g., balancing all objects or just a selected number.
Wrap Up
Assessment
Possible Extensions
Resources
Vocabulary
art - the quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance.
balance - an even distribution of weight enabling someone or something to remain upright and steady.
collaboration - to work jointly with others or together especially in an intellectual endeavor.
design - to prepare the preliminary sketch or the plans (for a work to be executed), especially to plan the form and structure of an object, building, bridge, etc...
measure - ascertain the size, amount, or degree of (something) by using an instrument or device marked in standard units or by comparing it with an object of known size.
problem-solving - the process or act of finding a solution to a problem.
STEM - science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, considered as a group of academic or career fields.
weights - a heavy object, especially one being lifted or carried.
winter - the coldest season of the year, in the northern hemisphere from December to February and in the southern hemisphere from June to August.
Educational Standards
Describe measurable attributes of objects, such as length or weight. Describe several measurable attributes of a single object.
Students will compare the sizes and weights of doodled objects. Students will alter the sizes and weights of the doodled objects.
Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about grade level topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.
Students will discuss how to balance a series of objects of varying sizes and weights.
Build on others' talk in conversations by linking their comments to the remarks of others.
Students will build on the talk of others during the whole group work and the partner work throughout this project.
Develop a simple sketch, drawing, or physical model to illustrate how the shape of an object helps it function as needed to solve a given problem
Students will draw stencils for winter objects of various sizes and weights, and then doodle them using filament strands for the 3Doodler.
Decompose (break down) a larger problem into smaller sub-problems with teacher guidance or independently.
Students will break down the process of discovering how to balance objects of various sizes and weights through designing, doodling and exploring in this hands-on activity.
Use technology to seek feedback that informs and improves their practice and to demonstrate their learning in a variety of ways.
Students will use a 3Doodler to create objects of various sizes and weights, and then balance them.
Create original works or responsibly repurpose or remix digital resources into new creations.
Students will create an original mobile using objects they've designed and doodled with a 3Doodler.
Use collaborative technologies to work with others, including peers, experts or community members, to examine issues and problems from multiple viewpoints.
Students will work with a partner and peers throughout the doodling, problem solving and creation processes of this activity.
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