Background
Information:
"Ideas and Inventions" is a science unit in 4th grade.
This lesson is part of a cross curricular unit in which students will
become aware of how inventions have been essential in the advancement
of their daily lives. Throughout history, inventors have linked the needs
of people with new or improved inventions. From the simple machines of
the past to the PDAs of today, a scientifically informed student needs
to be aware of who is responsible for their "simpler" life. During this
unit, students will develop a clear understanding of the importance man’s
ingenuity played in the changing world. Creating an invention of their
own helps students to have a greater appreciation of the process inventors
must go through in order to achieve their goals.
Perfect Inventions = Perfect World, is read as an invitation
to the lesson. It generates conversation about what might be possible
with a little imagination and determination.
Geometry vocabulary, from the Arizona State Standards is reviewed throughout
the unit. These words are incorporated in a teacher designed spelling
unit. Vocabulary is embedded in multimedia presentations in which students
make the connection between math terms and nonlinguistic representations.
Arizona State Standards:
Subject Area: Technology
- 4T-E2. Use technology tools for individual and collaborative
writing, communication, and publishing activities to create curricular
related products for audiences inside and outside the classroom.
- PO 1. Plan, design, and present an academic product using technology tools.
- 3T-E3. Publish and present information using technology tools
- PO 1. Design and create a multimedia presentation or Web page using multiple digital sources (e.g., from camera, video, scanner, CD-ROM, Internet).
- PO 2. Publish or present the above production (See Technology 4T-E2, PO1 or 4T-E3).
Subject Area: Math
Standard: Strand 3: Patterns, Algebra, and Functions
Every student should understand and use all concepts and skills from the
previous grade levels. The standards are designed so that new learning
builds on preceding skills and are needed to learn new skills. Communication,
Problem-solving, Reasoning & Proof, Connections, and Representation
are the process standards that are learning of mathematical strands, embedded
throughout the teaching and learning of mathematical strands.
- Concept 1: Geometric Properties
Analyze the attributes and properties of 2- and 3- dimensional shapes
and develop mathematical arguments about their relationships.
- PO 1. Identify the properties of 2-dimensional figures using appropriate
terminology.
- PO 2. Identify models or illustrations of prisms, pyramids, cones, cylinders,
and spheres.
- PO 4. Classify angles (e.g., right, acute, obtuse, straight).
- PO 6. Identify congruent geometric shapes.
- Concept 4: Measurement - Units of Measure - Geometric
Objects
Understand and apply appropriate units of measure, measurement techniques,
and formulas to determine measurements.
- PO 10. Differentiate between perimeter and area of quadrilaterals.
Subject Area: Science
Standard: 1: Science as inquiry
Students understand and use the processes of scientific investigation
and scientific ways of knowing. They are able to design, conduct, describe
and evaluate these investigations. They are able to understand and apply
concepts that unify scientific disciplines
- 1SC-E2. Create a model (e.g., a computer simulation,
a stream table) to predict change (Grades 4-5)
- PO 1. Design a model to illustrate a system
- 1SC-E5. Analyze the processes, parts and subsystems of
a bicycle, a clock or other mechanical or electrical device (Grades 4-5)
- PO 1. Identify the parts of a subsystem within a system
- PO 2. Describe the functions of the parts of a subsystem
- PO 3. State cause-and-effect relationships among components in mechanical
or electrical devices
Subject Area: Writing
- W-E1.Use correct spelling, punctuation, capitalization, grammar and usage, along with varied sentence structure and paragraph organization, to complete effectively a variety of writing tasks
- PO 1. Spell correctly
- PO 2. Punctuate correctly (e.g., sentence endings, commas in a friendly
letter’s greeting and closing, commas in a series, abbreviations,
quotations in dialog, apostrophes)
- PO 3. Apply rules of capitalization (e.g., sentence beginnings, titles,
abbreviations, proper nouns)
- PO 4. Apply standard grammar and usage (e.g., subject-verb agreement,
simple and compound sentences, appropriate verb tense, plurals
Learning Objectives:
- Students will work cooperatively in small groups.
- Students will generate nonlinguistic representations of each step their
invention must go through in order to complete its task.
- Students will create a multi media presentation of their invention, incorporating
both graphics and descriptions.
- Students will incorporate geometric vocabulary into each step of invention.
Materials and Resources:
- Perfect Inventions = Perfect World
Fifth Grade Students Holly Springs
Elementary School, Pickens, South Carolina. Scholastic Inc. 2000 ISBN
0-439-26066-3
- Computers with Internet access
- Student laptop computers
- Inspiration® Software
- HyperStudio® Software
- The Inventor Engine™
This interactive "engine" that lets kids dream, design, build, test, and manage their invention online. I use this URL to show students the process inventors must go through from dreaming up an idea to patent application. Included at this site are links to famous inventors for further reading.
http://kids.patentcafe.com/index.asp
- The Lemelson-MIT Program:
This site celebrates invention and innovation by spotlighting an Inventor of the Week. Here, students can read about a new inventor each week. I use the inventor archive link as a reference for looking at many different inventions that we take for granted.
http://web.mit.edu/invent/index.html
- History of Famous Toys:
The History Channel’s web site offers students the chance to learn about the Toy Fair, and discover how some of their favorite toys were created. I use this site as a small group learning activity. After exploring this site, groups decide on a piece of trivia to use to try and stump the other groups. (ex. What is the name of the first board game produced in the United States?)
http://www.historychannel.com/exhibits/toys
- Invention Contest: INVENT AMERICA!
is a nonprofit K-8 education program, launched in 1987, that helps children develop creative thinking and problem solving skills through a fun, unique and proven learning tool--inventing! I use this site as an extension activity for an after school group.
http://www.inventamerica.com
- Official Rube Goldberg Web Site:
This site shows the elaborate
and ridiculous inventions created by Rube Goldberg in an effort to automate
an everyday task. I use this site as a springboard to brainstorming
what type of classroom activities we could automate.
http://www.rube-goldberg.com
- Vocabulary Review:
This is a teacher created web site for student use.It is an interactive matching game of geometric vocabulary we use in our classroom. I use this site as an opportunity to review vocabulary with the entire class. Students enjoy small playing the games individually
and in small groups.
http://www.quia.com/jg/429770.html
- Mouse Trap Game - Milton Bradley:
The Mouse Trap Game is a great example
of a Rube Goldberg type invention, many steps to accomplish a simple
task. Critically examining and following each step through the game
helps students transfer cause and effect relationships to their own
invention.
Instructional Activities:
- Concept Web
Purpose: Generate visual representations that depict each step in the
process of obtaining their invention’s goal.
Directions: Working backwards, have students use graphic representation
to show each step their invention must go through to complete its task.
Words my be added to help remind students of the process.
- Review of Geometric Vocabulary through Quia Web Site Matching
Game
Purpose: Review geometric terms and definitions and remind students
to include this vocabulary into each card as they transfer from nonlinguistic
representation of invention in Inspiration web to both graphic representation
and written descriptions in HyperStudio®.
Directions: Go to www.Quia.com
and create vocabulary and definitions
matching review specific to the class.
http://www.Quia.com
- Multimedia Invention: HyperStudio® Stack
Purpose: Working forwards, create one card to depict each step in the
invention. HyperStudio® allows for animation, so each invention
will have the opportunity to simulate.
Directions: Working forwards, have students create one card per step
in their invention’s process. Each card will contain graphic representation
of step, as well as written explanation. Geometric vocabulary included
must be included in the explanation.
Assessment:
- Concept Web
Purpose: To determine if the design of the inventions contain logical
steps and the appropriate geometric terms.
Directions: Review the rubric with students when explaining the assignment.
- Multimedia Invention: HyperStudio®Stack
Purpose: To determine if the content was transferred from the concept
web to the HyperStudio® stack, the stack works, writing conventions
were followed, and appropriate vocabulary was included in the stack.
Directions: Create the rubric with the students as part of the lesson.
Follow-up:
- Students will animate their stacks and present them to the class. Next,
we will study patents. Having created an invention of their own, students
will have a deeper appreciation of why it is important to protect an
invention. Students will apply for a patent, be denied, and then write
a persuasive business letter to request their invention be awarded a
patent. Writing an effective business letter is part of the Deer Valley
Unified School District 4th Grade Writing Assessment.
- Family, community members, and classmates will be invented to an Invention
Convention at which student's multimedia presentations and writing
samples will be shared.
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