Embedded Files
An engineering challenge inspired by the book, Muncha! Muncha! Muncha!, by Candace Fleming engaged the first graders in creative thinking and problem solving from late November through mid-December. In the story, Mister McGreely struggles to protect his newly sprouted vegetable garden from a group of (otherwise charming) rabbits who repeatedly thwart his increasingly elaborate attempts to keep them out. While it is a delightfully funny read-aloud, the story also serves as an overview of the Engineering Design Process: a problem-solving protocol introduced in Early Childhood classes and expanded in Lower School to include steps such as, "Ask", "Imagine", "Plan", "Create", and "Improve".
ASK: The children were invited to decide whose problem they would try to solve, choosing to ask either, "How can I help Mr McGreely keep the rabbits out of his garden?" or, "How can I help the rabbits get into Mr McGreely's garden?"
IMAGINE and PLAN: Students brainstormed several possible solutions to the problem then recorded and illustrated a plan for the idea they considered their best.
CREATE: Using simple craft materials, the children constructed models of their designs. These were not functioning prototypes, but the students were expected to explain how they would work at scale.
IMPROVE: Part-way through the construction process, students shared their ideas with their classmates to receive feedback on their initial creations, including suggestions for additions or changes.
SHARE: At the end of the project, students volunteered to present and be interviewed about their models in a "talk-show" format in front of an audience of their classmates. For those sharing, this provided an opportunity to both reflect on and communicate the reasoning behind their designs. For those listening, the format encouraged questions and comments that went beyond appearance and generalities to specific inquiries regarding construction, function, and operation. For their teacher, the experience was yet another example of the complex thinking of which these young people are capable. Exciting stuff!
For more about Novel Engineering, visit: http://www.novelengineering.org/
As part of our tree study, the students conducted an experiment to find out more about the pigments hidden inside of leaves that are responsible for the variety of colors we see in the fall foliage. When rubbing alcohol is added to crumbled leaves, the pigments in the leaves are released and can be seen when a strip of filter paper is added to absorb the resulting liquid. These colors were in the leaves all along but were masked by the green of the chlorophyll when it was still active in the spring and summer. Try it at home with any type of fresh leaves or greens from your yard or the market!
The children then honed their observation and recording skills while creating careful drawings of various types of leaves- paying close attention to their shapes, colors, and the patterns of their veins and outside edges. You can see some examples of the student's work below:
Beginning of October:
Over the next few weeks the first graders will be learning about the structure of trees and the functions of their different parts- including bark, leaves, roots, and the tube-like structures hidden inside responsible for transporting water and food within the tree. We will conduct several experiments to better understand some of the processes involved in the growth and seasonal changes we observe in the trees at school and in our communities.
Last week students took part in a scavenger hunt - using photos of bark, leaves, and overall shape- to identify 9 trees on campus that we will observe throughout the year. You can see what those trees look like now in the photos below. I will continue to share new photos as their appearance changes. Ask your child to point out some of the trees we are watching. Can you find a specific tree using just a photo of the bark? or the leaves?How are the trees different? How are they the same?
Mid to Late September:
One of our first projects of the year in first grade was the Rigamajig Design Challenge!
Students were challenged to with a partner to build a sturdy structure/sculpture using a specific number of Rigamajig pieces. Their creations formed the centerpiece of a number museum display on Overview Night.
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