Canoe Testing

Students tested the canoes in the "lakes". All of the canoes that were tested met the 5 seconds float test. All of the canoes were able to hold a load of pennies. The largest load held before the canoe was 67 pennies! Students pondered their designs and how to improve them. Here are some of the recommendations:

Using water proof glue

Sealing the joints with additional aluminum foil

Not using so much tape

Spread the pennies out, load distribution

It took some prompting questions but they were able to reflect on their design. There was an initial disappointment when the canoe sank. I had to remind them that failure is part of the engineering process. The testing of the canoes also provided an opportunity to use vocabulary. If I did this project again I would target the vocabulary and language form and functions with this experience. Verb tense, cause and effect are easily supported by this activity. I think the hands on activity makes the language usage more meaningful. I look forward to trying this or something like it with my Kindergarteners next year.

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I read with our Youngest Scholars. We read some simple pattern books and then used Educreations to write and draw. The students wrote a sentence based on the I Paint pattern book we read. They also included an illustration. The iPads make this traditional activity more engaging.