Saturday SAVY, Week 3, Creative Contraptions (1st-2nd)
On our last day in Creative Contraptions, our 1st and 2nd graders had an exciting and productive session filled with creativity, learning, and collaboration. Here’s a detailed look at what we engaged in today:
We began our day by reviewing behavior expectations to ensure a respectful and productive environment. This set the tone for a day of focused and cooperative learning.
Next, we dove back into the world of mechanics by reviewing the 6 simple machines: the lever, wheel and axle, pulley, inclined plane, wedge, and screw. Understanding these fundamental tools is crucial for young inventors. Ask your child which simple machine is their favorite and why!
We then reexamined what a system is and explored the 4 system generalizations:
- Systems have parts that work together.
- Systems have boundaries.
- Systems have inputs and outputs.
- Systems have interactions that change when the inputs change.
With a solid foundation in place, students then planned out their inventions using a graphic organizer. This step helped them visualize their ideas and organize their thoughts before diving into the building phase.
The real fun began as students built their inventions using materials such as cardboard, pipe cleaners, tape, string, wooden spools, wooden dowel rods, and popsicle sticks! After the initial build, they tested their inventions, made improvements, and tested them again. This iterative process is key to developing problem-solving skills and resilience. Ask your child how their invention changed as they tested it!
Students then presented their invention names, purposes, and demonstrations to the class. They accepted questions and feedback, which fostered a supportive and collaborative learning environment. After the presentations, students evaluated their inventions by making further improvements to their own or a peer’s invention.
To deepen their understanding, students then completed a triple Venn diagram comparing and contrasting three different simple machines. This activity helped them see the similarities and differences in how these machines work. Ask your child to create a triple Venn diagram for other items they’re interested in!
We concluded our session by cleaning up our workspaces and saying “see you soon” to friends and classmates. We also took a moment to congratulate each other on a great fall session of learning and inventing!
As we wrap up our fall session, here are a few questions to ask your child as they reflect on their learning and creating.
- Can you name some simple machines you learned about? How do they make work easier?
- Which simple machine do you think is the most interesting and why?
- Can you give an example of a simple machine you see or use at home?
- What is a compound machine?
- Can you think of a compound machine you use in your daily life?
- What are some different types of energy and forces you learned about? (kinetic, potential, friction)
- What steps do scientists take when they are investigating something new?
- Can you describe some simple machine experiments you did in class?
- How do you think scientists use their observations to make discoveries?
- What was your favorite invention you learned about or created?
It’s been a fantastic few weeks filled with creativity, learning, and teamwork. I am incredibly proud of these young inventors and can’t wait to see what they come up with next! Thank you for sharing your eager learners with me for the Fall 2024 SAVY session!