Just a Dream- A Engineering Challenge integrating science and reading
Engineering Design Challenge posed to the students: After reading the book Just A Dream, students will design a machine that will allow the boy to sort his trash into the appropriate trash cans.
List of Materials (including LEGO and non-LEGO):
- one LEGO WeDo kit per two students
- Just A Dream by Chris Van Alsburg (one copy)
- one copy of an engineering design process work sheet.
Engineering Concepts:
- planning a solution
- building a solution
- reporting about the solution
Integrated Concepts
- Citizenship
- Problem/Solution
- Cause/Effect
- Changes in beginning, middle, end of story
A Brief Description:
STANDARDS:
RL 2.1
Ask and answer, such questions as who, what, where, when, why, and how to demonstrate understanding of key details in a text.
RL 2.5
Describe the overall structure of a story, including describing how the beginning introduces the story and the ending concludes the action.
2.C&G.2.1
Exemplify characteristics of good citizenship through historical figures and everyday citizens
2.C&G.2.2
Explain why it is important for citizens to participate in their community
LESSON DEVELOPMENT:
At the beginning of the lesson, ask students what their role is in recycling in the following places: in their school, in the city, in their state, and in their world. Preview the book with your students, then read. After finished, ask the following questions: What type of person was Walter at the beginning of the story? How do you know? How did Walter change throughout the story? Do you think Walter will make a bigger effort to recycle? After discussion, introduce engineering challenge using the following statements: Using your LEGO WeDo kits, design something that would help make sorting the trash easier and less time consuming for Walter. Walter's family uses 3 trash cans that are side by side, just like the ones in this picture. Your design should allow Walter to separate his trash into these cans without having to touch it! Before you begin, you must create a plan! Use your Engineering Design Process sheet to help you plan for your build!
