Designing with Components
Students will use a given set of components to design and build a structure that serves a specific purpose, explaining their design choices.
Key Questions
- Construct a stable structure using a limited number of pieces.
- Justify the selection of specific components for different parts of a design.
- Critique a peer's design, suggesting improvements for stability or function.
Common Core State Standards
Suggested Methodologies
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Planning templates for Science
5E Model
The 5E Model structures lessons through five phases (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate), guiding students from curiosity to deep understanding through inquiry-based learning.
unit plannerThematic Unit
Organize a multi-week unit around a central theme or essential question that cuts across topics, texts, and disciplines, helping students see connections and build deeper understanding.
rubricSingle-Point Rubric
Build a single-point rubric that defines only the "meets standard" level, leaving space for teachers to document what exceeded and what fell short. Simple to create, easy for students to understand.
More in Matter and Its Mysteries
Observing Material Properties
Students will observe and describe various properties of common materials using their senses and simple tools.
3 methodologies
Classifying Materials by Properties
Students will classify materials into groups based on observable properties such as color, hardness, and absorbency.
3 methodologies
Combining Materials
Students will explore what happens when different materials are combined, observing if new materials are formed or if they retain their original properties.
3 methodologies
Heating and Cooling Effects
Students will observe and describe how heating and cooling can change the state or properties of various materials.
3 methodologies
Reversible Changes: Melting and Freezing
Students will conduct experiments to observe and explain reversible changes like melting ice and freezing water.
3 methodologies