Vote For Us – PBS Innovation Award

IST Grade 2 is in the running for the 2010 PBS Innovation in Teaching Award for our Simple Machine – Rube Goldberg Project and our attempts at connecting others to our little corner of the world at IST in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Click here to give us your vote:
http://www.pbs.org/teachers/innovators/gallery/entries/306/

Asante!

Reflection on Simple Machines

As our PYP Unit of Inquiry on Simple Machines comes to a close, we reflect on the learning that has taken place. Students have completed a summative assessment, reflecting on connections to our Central Idea and Key Concepts. Below are some of the student’s responses:

Our Central Idea for Simple Machines:

“Simple machines are used to move objects in different ways and influence our daily lives.”

Our Key Concepts for Simple Machines:

Form: What is a simple machine?

“A simple machine is a tool that makes work and people’s lives easier.”

“Simple machines cut things (wedge), hold things together (screw) and make things go up and down easier (inclined plane, screw, pulley, wheel and axle).”

Function: How do simple machines work? What happens when they work together?

“A wheel is really a few levers put together and the axle is the fulcrum.”

“Scissors are levers that work together. In between there is a fulcrum.”

“A screw is an inclined plane that is twisted. Using more than one pulley can make lifting heavy things easier.”

A compound machine is a machine that is made up of two or more simple machines.

“A wagon is an example of a compound machine because it has four wheels, two axles and a lever with the fulcrum at the hinge so that you can pull it.”

Connection: How do simple machines affect our daily lives?

“All simple machines make work and life easier for us.”

“A crowbar is a lever, it makes work easier so that you can lift things.”

“A knife is a wedge. The wedge has to be sharp to be able to cut.”

“If you are camping in the woods, you would use a wedge to cut fire wood.”

Reflection: What evidence have we collected to support this idea?

Students actively participated in learning both at school and at home. Students found many examples of simple machines being used everyday. Many students also chose to participate in this year’s IST Grade 2 Rube Goldberg Challenge!

Students submitted pictures, videos and projects. Mr. McKillip put together the following video to demonstrate the student learning that has taken place this term. Students participated in many different ways; hands-on classroom experiments, IST Campus simple machine scavenger hunt, computer lab games and experiments AND many students contributed home video footage from the IST Rube Goldberg Challenge (also included in this video).

We hope that you enjoyed our presentation. IST Grade 2

Levers

After many experiments using simple machines, the Grade 2s soon became experts. When it was time to study about levers, they were all able to predict that the lever would help to lift things. But they were not sure what role a fulcrum played.

The first group used a ruler as a lever and a large block for the fulcrum. The placed a load on one end of the lever, and the fulcrum was close to the load. They then set out to see how much ‘effort’ was needed to lift the load. They soon learnt, they did not need a lot of effort.

The second group used the same tools for the lever and fulcrum. This time the fulcrum was placed in the middle of the lever. They noticed that they required more effort than the first group.

The third group copied the experiment, making one major change. Their fulcrum was placed on the other end of the lever, far away from the load. They piled on over 25 blocks, and the load would still not move. By the time 30 blocks were piled, it got wobbly, and fell over, before their load had been lifted.

“I learnt that the fulcrum helps you lift things when using a lever,” said Tara.

So it is possible to learn something new about Simple Machines!

Rube Goldberg Challenge – DUE 17 Feb.

Rube Goldberg Home Challenge
Due: Wednesday 17 February 2010

Project Overview:
Students will learn how simple machines create useful devices we use in our daily lives. Students will create a new machine whose job will be to complete an everyday task. The key to their new machines is that it has to be a “Rube Goldberg” like in design. That is, they need to see how many different simple machines they can use to complete a simple everyday task.

When you slip on ice, your foot kicks paddle (A), lowering finger (B), snapping turtle (C) extends neck to bite finger, opening ice tongs (D) and dropping pillow (E), thus allowing you to fall on something soft.

Option One:
You can draw a “Rube Goldberg” style machine that uses at least 3 different types of simple machines to accomplish one task. Your drawings must include labels using ABC’s to show order of steps from start to finish.

Option Two:
You can build your own “Rube Goldberg” style machine out of different materials you have in your home. You must include at least 3 different types of simple machines in your design. You and your parents can take a picture or record your machine in action. You will need to record or write down the order of steps of your machine from start to finish.

Remember:
You must use at least 3 different types of simple machines, but you may use as many of each as needed. Types of simple machines: levers, pulleys, inclined planes, screws, wedges, and wheel and axles.

Simple Machines – The Screw!

Grade 2 students continue to investigate different types of simple machines. So far we have experimented with wedges, inclined planes, and levers. Today students focused their attention on the screw. Students watched the following short Eureka! video to introduce the idea that the screw (and wheel) are simple machines.

Students learned that there are only two basic simple machines: the inclined plane and the lever. All simple machines are a variation of these two simple machines. Students discovered that a screw is really just a twisted inclined plane.

After watching the video and discussing the ideas presented, students experimented with different items that use a screw type mechanism to accomplish a task. We discovered that screws are everywhere (even in our classroom).

Screws are used to hold things together. We discovered that screws are in our tables, chairs, doors, walls and well everywhere! We also discovered that screws are important simple machines used to keep containers closed. Screws are even found in our glue sticks to make the glue stay at the top of the stick.

Screws are important simple machines!

How Is A Wedge Used?

Grade 2 is learning about Simple Machines. This week we looked at the wedge. We did an experiment where the students learnt that a wedge can be used to split things. When asked, “What does a wedge do?” they would all answer that it’s to split things. They could also identify an ax, scissors, a knife and a sword as examples of a wedge. We also pondered, “Can a wedge have another function?“

To answer the question “How is a wedge used?” we did a second experiment. This time the students were given a block of wood and a wooden wedge. First the block was placed against an open door. Then they closed the door. Next the wedge was placed under the open door. This time when they tried to close the door, they were unsuccessful.

Before beginning the experiment, Malise predicted, “I think a wedge is used for splitting things.” Upon completing the experiement, she looked back at what she thought and noted what she learnt. “I learnt that the wedge stops things from moving as well as splitting things.”

Nik also predicted “A wedge is used to cut things.” When reflecting back on what he thought and what he discovered Nik learnt that “A wedge can be used for more than cutting.“

Update for Our Families

Dear Grade 2 Families,

Welcome back from what we hope has been an enjoyable and restful holiday. As we settle back into classroom routines, we would like to take a moment to update you on various aspects of the Grade 2 curriculum for this first part of Term 3.

As is the IST policy, all Grade 2 students will be receiving homework two times a week. These activities are meant to be a review of what has been done in class and your child should be able to complete the homework independently. The purpose of homework for Grade 2 is not only to give extra practice but also to instill a sense of responsibility in students and prepare them for upper grades.

Maths
Your child is beginning to explore 3-D and 2-D shapes. Studying geometry helps develop spatial sense and the ability to represent and describe the world. Students will consider five basic kinds of 3-dimensional shapes: prisms, pyramids, cylinders, cones, and spheres. To sort the shapes, students will explore similarities and differences among them. They will become familiar with both the names of shapes and the terms for parts of shapes.

Students will also explore line symmetry as they experiment with matching two halves of an object and, when given half of a shape, will draw the missing half.

I Like to Move It, Move It
As we begin our next PYP unit of inquiry, we investigate the realm of Simple Machines. Each PYP unit has a core or central idea. Our central idea for Simple Machines states: “Simple machines are used to move objects in different ways and influence our daily lives.” Key concepts are ideas and concepts to help students gain a better understanding of the central idea. Our key concepts are: FORM: What is a simple machine? FUNCTION: How do simple machines work? What happens when they work together? CONNECTION: How do simple machines affect our daily lives? REFLECTION: What evidence have we collected to support this idea?

On this website under ‘Students‘ there is a list of internet games and resources that allow your child to further explore Simple Machines.

Literacy
In conjunction with this scientific, experiment-filled unit, we will be focusing on procedural writing. This includes making lists of materials and equipment, focusing directions in a chronological order of steps, numbering each step, using action words to start each short sentence, and using diagrams or illustrations for clarity.

Your child will continue to bring a book home from the classroom daily. Please ensure that your child has been written in the Link Book each day and reads for at least 15 minutes each night.

Spelling
Sitton Spelling proves to be a valuable resource to IST for several reasons. It gives additional structure and purpose to our ever developing language curriculum as well as, and more importantly, makes connections between spelling, writing and reading.

Occasionally we will send home Sitton Spelling letters to parents that explain a concept we are learning in class, followed by an activity to do with your child that allows for further practice. Unless otherwise noted, these activities are not required homework and do not need be returned to school, however, its completion is encouraged.

Grade 2 will have a great unit full of action and exploration. Please ask your child what is being done at school and read updates here on IST Grade 2.

Please contact us if you have any questions or comments. We are looking forward to another great term!

With Enthusiasm,
The Grade 2 Team

Rube Goldberg Challenge!

As we investigate Simple Machines in our current Unit of Inquiry, we ask the following question: “Who is Rube Goldberg?”

Reuben Lucius Goldberg
(July 4, 1883 – December 7, 1970)
Rube Goldberg was an American cartoonist, sculptor, author, engineer and inventor. Goldberg is best known for a series of popular cartoons he created depicting complex devices that perform simple tasks in indirect, convoluted ways – now known as Rube Goldberg machines. (from Wikipedia.com)

Rube Goldberg’s cartoon, “The Self-Operating Napkin” How many simple machines do you see in this picture?

The Self-Operating Napkin is activated when the soup spoon (A) is raised to mouth, pulling string (B) and thereby jerking ladle (C) which throws cracker (D) past parrot (E). Parrot jumps after cracker and perch (F) tilts, upsetting seeds (G) into pail (H). Extra weight in pail pulls cord (I), which opens and lights automatic cigar lighter (J), setting off skyrocket (K) which causes sickle (L) to cut string (M) and allow pendulum with attached napkin to swing back and forth, thereby wiping chin.

Here is a video clip from one of Mr. McKillip’s favorite children’s TV shows from Japan called PythagoraSwitch. The show producers have local university students create Rube Goldberg machines which are then introduced during the show.

Now it’s your turn! Take the Rube Goldberg Challenge!
It is your turn to try and make your own Rube Goldberg machine using what you have been learning about simple machines in class. This activity is for students that want to challenge themselves at home. Students can create their machine. Then have parents take pictures and/or video. Students can then use this evidence to present their machine to the rest of the class. Click HERE if you want to download the instruction page that will be sent home with students who are interested in doing the challenge.

Get started thinking about making your own Rube Goldberg machine by playing Goldburger To Go form PBS Kids online.

You will need to use your critical thinking/problem solving skills in order to complete the task of serving the Zoom staff their lunch. If you get stuck, you can always ask for a hint.

Here you can find some real-world Rube Goldberg Machine ideas and examples.

Good luck and HAVE FUN creating your own Rube Goldberg Machine!

Simple Machines – for Work and for Fun!

As students continue their investigation of Simple Machines, we have started looking at how simple machines can work together. When two or more simple machines are present in a device, the device is classified as a compound machine. We learned that a skateboard is a compound machine. It has four wheels and two axles. The board itself works like a lever in order for the rider to do stunts and tricks.

Here is a short video clip we watched in class from Dr. Skateboard’s Action Science series on Simple Machines.

Game of the Month – Wallace and Gromit Invention Suspension

This month’s IST Grade 2 Game of the Month Wallace and Gromit’s “Invention Suspension” has to do with our current PYP unit of Simple Machines.

As you may know, Wallace is a brilliant but bumbling inventor who often makes mistakes. Gromit, his clever dog and best friend, is always there to help Wallace out when he gets into trouble. In this game, Wallace is working on a top-secret new contraption, but it needs a few finishing touches. Can you help Gromit collect the missing pieces and complete their latest work of genius?

As we study about Simple Machines, Force – Push/Pull, you will have to use what you know about Force and Simple Machines to help Gromit complete his tasks.

Good luck, have fun and… Steady on, Gromit!