As a tech coach, I am always looking for resources and ideas for middle school teachers and students in a one-to-one netbook environment. This space is where I share my findings.
This is an annual project that helps students use and understand Simple Machines. This unit also integrates the study of advertising, persuasive techniques, use of transition words, and oral presentation. Students have a blast creating and "selling" their traps!
This is the contract I send home at the start of the unit.
LEPRECHAUN TRAP PROJECT
DUE DATE:__Will
not be accepted after April 1___
PARENT SIGNATURE__________________________
STUDENT SIGNATURE__________________________
The project will be graded in the following three areas:
Project:
You will
design and make a trap, non-lethal (the leprechaun must survive capture) that
can catch a leprechaun. Your design must
include at least TWO simple machines.
Points will
be distributed as follows:
50
points for a working design
25
points for inclusion of two simple machines
25
points for design being non-lethal
Report:
You will
turn in a report on what you have accomplished.
It should be typed or neatly hand written in cursive in blue or black
ink. It must include the steps you took
to make the trap, identify the simple machines you used in your design, the
name and advertising slogan for your trap, the cost to make the trap, and what
you would sell it for in a store. It
should be approximately one page in length.
Points will
be distributed as follows:
5 points for neatness (cover, clean pages, not crumpled, legible)
5 points for following directions (typed double spaced, or in ink, cursive, etc.)
5 points for proper spelling
5 points for proper grammar
10
points for use of transition words (first, next,
then, last, etc.)
30
points for clear steps to building the trap
10
points for identifying your simple machines
10
points for your trap’s name (originality and fit
to design)
10
points for the advertising slogan (appropriateness
and originality)
5 points for the cost to make
5 points for the selling price
Presentation:
You will
present your project to the class. You
must demonstrate how the trap works, how you made it, identify the simple
machines used, and introduce the product name, slogan, and selling cost. This can be done in the form of an
infomercial introducing your product to the market. Be enthusiastic. You
will not be able to read your paper to the class as all reports will be turned
in before all speeches are given. So
prepare note cards to take to the front of the class with you.
TOP 20 SITES FOR YOU AND YOUR STUDENTS ON ST. PATRICK'S DAY!
In honor of this past weekend's St. Patrick's Day Parade in Atlantic City, I am posting some of my favorite resources for teaching St. Patrick's Day.
The most fun can be had on http://www.irelandseye.com/leprechaun/webcam.htm, where my students and I keep a sharp look out for passing leprechauns. During the month of March students also build leprechaun traps to demonstrate their mastery of simple machines. This lesson will be posted tomorrow.
For now here are some other great sites to learn about St. Patrick's Day.
