Catapults

Goals

Learn the history of catapults through the guided inquiry process. Plan and build a successful catapult.

Standards

• Access Prior Knowledge
• Questioning-RT and PHAT (Pretty hard and tough)
• Keywords
• Selecting best sources
• Citing sources-when and why to site
• Notetaking strategies
• Organizing information

21st Century Skills

Communication, Collaboration, Creativity, Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, Flexibility, Adaptability, Productivity, Initiative, and Leadership

My Prep Work

• Set up research template in google classroom
• Set up questioning padlet
• Preview databases and websites for student success
• Get supplies ready for controlled practice builds

Day 1:

• Brainstorm what is already known about Catapults-on own google classroom doc
• Develop questions as a class based on what we want to know-Padlet
• Begin reading about Catapults only on Britannica and answer right there questions on the padlet
• Model whole class how to read for information!

Day 2:

• Look back at questions we answered from our reading
• Add citations to their google doc from Britannica
• Review when we need to cite sources!
• Finish padlet questions-discuss RT questions and how we want to go deeper
• Write deeper questions individually on research template

Day 3:

• Use only databases to answer deeper questions
• Again, model how to read for information
• Show examples of great note-taking

Day 4:

• Look at different sources for types of catapults to build
• Practice: Each table given a supply of popsicle sticks, rubber bands, small bulldog clips, and puff balls to practice with
• Keep track of failures and success

Day 5:

• One more day to rebuild using controlled materials based on what worked and didn’t work last session.

Day 6:

• Small groups begin planning and designing a catapult out of any material available in the MakerSpace.

Days 7:

• Continue designing

Days 8, 9, 10:

• Build if ready
• Test, try, and fix failures

Day 11 Launching Day

• Set up official launch with tape measure and catapults ready to launch.
• 1 test and 2 official launches with measurements taken
• When done complete Reflection Questions: I Liked, I Learned, I Wish, I Would Change

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