Unit 1: Structure & Function: Exploring Design (PLTW)
Kindergarten begins their STEM learning with an introduction to the basic concepts of Structure (the way something is made up) and Function (the purpose of something). In this exciting learning, students are tasked with the challenge of designing, building, and testing a house that will stay upright when the "big bad wolf" is trying to blow it over! Kindergarteners are introduced to the design process with age appropriate lessons that help them build the skills they need to solve this challenge.
Build a Beanstalk!Using the Engineering Design Cycle, kindergarten students were tasked with creating a beanstalk that was tall, freestanding, and made of pipecleaners. Many interesting designs were created!
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Structure & Function HuntStudents were asked to search the classroom in groups to find an engineered item and explain its structure and function. Then, they created videos using the flipgrid app to tell what they learned.
CHALLENGE ~ Can a kindergarten student design and build a house that will stay up when tested against the Big Bad Wolf (small leaf blower?) |
Unit 2: Structure & Function: Pushes & Pulls (PLTW)
The second unit these young engineers embark on is a challenge to move a pile of large rocks without having to lift them. Students learn the exciting concepts of push, pull, forces, and motion as they design and build a contraption to make moving large rocks easier! Let's see how their inventions "stacked up!"
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Technology Class |
Technology Class Links/ Activities |
Challenges/ Enrichment |
In Kindergarten, students meet once a week to work on their technology skills. In kindergarten, this includes practice with mouse skills, basic keyboarding and letter recognition, and following directions from whole group to individual activities.
Mrs. Cluskey Code.orgMrs. Ottaviano Code.org |
Money Games (Really tricky!)
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