Models & Designs, and Hands on Equations

We have started two new and exciting units in class.

In science we have started the models and designs unit. We are currently working with Black Boxes, and hum-dingers. A black box is a system in which structure and behavior are not completely understood. In the first investigation, students were given small black plastic boxes with a marble inside. Students worked with partners to use clues to make a sketch of what the inside of the box might look like. Next, they joined groups with the same box and collaborated to create a consensus drawing. The following day, students were given empty black boxes, cardboard pieces, and a marble, and were asked to recreate what they think the inside of their black box looks like. Then they compared the black box, and their box to see if they seemed the same. They again met collaboratively to revise their consensus drawings, based on their findings. What the inside of the black boxes looks like still remains a mystery!

Next, students were shown a "drought-stopper" a pretend invention to solve droughts. Inside a cardboard box was a mystery contraption. When I poured 100ml of water into a funnel, 500ml of water came out. Students worked independently and collaboratively to try to create a conceptual model (drawing) of what they thought the drought stopper might look like. Here are a few examples:

Most recently, students were shown a sealed paper bag with a string hanging out. When the string was pulled, a motor hummed, when the string was released a bell dinged - a hum-dinger! Students worked in cooperative groups, and were given a bag of parts to create a contraption that did the same. Such an engaging investigation that promoted higher level thinking, collaboration and great conversation!

Next week, students will work to create small go-carts that can travel a certain distance, and complete simple maneuvers.

In math we finished level two of Hands on Equations and are working on Unit 3 - variables, formulas and graphs. The learning targets from this unit are:


• I can write and solve expressions to model a mathematical or real-world situation.
• I can use expressions and tables to demonstrate how two quantities are related.