Before
The teacher will show the following image:
The teacher will ask why do we need shade from the sun?
- Students will be given ten seconds to think about that question.
- Next have students share their answer with a child next to them.
- Finally, the teacher will write a few of the responses on chart paper.
Next, the teacher will ask, "What is a tent?"
- As students are thinking about this, the teacher will show the following examples to build background knowledge for students who may not have been exposed to tents.
The teacher will have students close their eyes and will then say the following: “Pretend you are on vacation. You are camping outdoors. The sun is very bright, and it is getting extremely hot outside. Why is a tent important to have while camping?”
- The teacher will give students permission to open their eyes. The teacher will have students share responses with students nearby (elbow partners). The teacher will circulate and listen to a few responses. Finally, the teacher will share a few responses he or she heard.
- The teacher will explain that a tent is a great tool to reduce the effects of sunlight. It can help keep people cooler than if they are directly under the sun. It might also help them to not get sunburned.
The teacher will explain that the students will be designing and constructing tents to help keep an ice cube from melting by making it a tent.
During
The teacher will let students know they will be divided into groups of 3-4 students. The teacher will show the students the materials groups will be given to create a tent for their ice cube. The materials are construction paper, masking tape, and popsicle sticks.
- The teacher will let the students know that each group will be given a sheet of construction paper to design their tent. Students should keep in mind the materials they will be given to construct their tent. Before the students begin collaborating on the design (drawing) of the tents the teacher should assign cooperative group roles (http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/lesson_images/lesson277/cooperative.pdf).
- The teacher may need to review each role. Some groups may need students to have two roles.
Students will now design (draw) the group tents they would like to later build.
Next, the teacher will have the presenter of each group explain their group’s sketch of the tent. If available, place this under the document camera so the class can better see details of the sketch.
The teacher will now hand out the materials and allow construction of the tents to begin. The teacher will circulate around to each group checking for understanding on how to construct students' designs.
After
The teacher will explain that the class will go outside to test the tents. The teacher will let the students know there will be a control ice cube. This ice cube will be placed in a ziplock bag and not put in the shade. Once this cube melts, the other cubes will be checked for melting.
- Each cube will be placed inside the tents. All ice cubes will be in ziplock bags.
- Once the control ice cube melts, students (or the teacher depending on the amount of camera/tablets available) will take a picture of their ice cube at this time, using their tablet.
Finally, once inside, the students will be placed back in their groups with a piece of chart paper per table. Students will be given 15 minutes (set a timer) to illustrate the outcome of their tent and improvements, if necessary.
Students will improve and retest designs. Again, after the control ice cube melts students will take a picture of their ice cube. This will allow them to compare their ice cubes to their first designs.
Before
The teacher will show the following image:
The teacher will ask why do we need shade from the sun?
- Students will be given ten seconds to think about that question.
- Next have students share their answer with a child next to them.
- Finally, the teacher will write a few of the responses on chart paper.
Next, the teacher will ask, "What is a tent?"
- As students are thinking about this, the teacher will show the following examples to build background knowledge for students who may not have been exposed to tents.
The teacher will have students close their eyes and will then say the following: “Pretend you are on vacation. You are camping outdoors. The sun is very bright, and it is getting extremely hot outside. Why is a tent important to have while camping?”
- The teacher will give students permission to open their eyes. The teacher will have students share responses with students nearby (elbow partners). The teacher will circulate and listen to a few responses. Finally, the teacher will share a few responses he or she heard.
- The teacher will explain that a tent is a great tool to reduce the effects of sunlight. It can help keep people cooler than if they are directly under the sun. It might also help them to not get sunburned.
The teacher will explain that the students will be designing and constructing tents to help keep an ice cube from melting by making it a tent.
During
The teacher will let students know they will be divided into groups of 3-4 students. The teacher will show the students the materials groups will be given to create a tent for their ice cube. The materials are construction paper, masking tape, and popsicle sticks.
- The teacher will let the students know that each group will be given a sheet of construction paper to design their tent. Students should keep in mind the materials they will be given to construct their tent. Before the students begin collaborating on the design (drawing) of the tents the teacher should assign cooperative group roles (http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/lesson_images/lesson277/cooperative.pdf).
- The teacher may need to review each role. Some groups may need students to have two roles.
Students will now design (draw) the group tents they would like to later build.
Next, the teacher will have the presenter of each group explain their group’s sketch of the tent. If available, place this under the document camera so the class can better see details of the sketch.
The teacher will now hand out the materials and allow construction of the tents to begin. The teacher will circulate around to each group checking for understanding on how to construct students' designs.
After
The teacher will explain that the class will go outside to test the tents. The teacher will let the students know there will be a control ice cube. This ice cube will be placed in a ziplock bag and not put in the shade. Once this cube melts, the other cubes will be checked for melting.
- Each cube will be placed inside the tents. All ice cubes will be in ziplock bags.
- Once the control ice cube melts, students (or the teacher depending on the amount of camera/tablets available) will take a picture of their ice cube at this time, using their tablet.
Finally, once inside, the students will be placed back in their groups with a piece of chart paper per table. Students will be given 15 minutes (set a timer) to illustrate the outcome of their tent and improvements, if necessary.
Students will improve and retest designs. Again, after the control ice cube melts students will take a picture of their ice cube. This will allow them to compare their ice cubes to their first designs.
