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Notes for teachers

Transforming Boxes: Creative Engineering with “Not a Box”

The lesson addresses the science standards by having students develop models to describe the transformations of the cardboard box, and generating and comparing multiple possible solutions to create their own unique designs.

The math standards are also addressed as students measure the dimensions of the box and use arithmetic to calculate the amounts of materials they will need.

List of Materials

Copies of the book "Not a Box" by Antoinette Portis
Cardboard boxes of different sizes
Scissors
Tape
Markers or crayons
Various craft supplies (optional)

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Standards

3rd Grade Next Generation Science Standards:

3-5.ETS1-1: Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or want that includes specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost.
3-5.ETS1-2: Generate and compare multiple possible solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.

Engineering Standards:

E4.2.IA.2: Identify and explain the components of a simple machine, and apply these concepts to design and build a device that performs a specific task.
E4.2.IA.3: Identify and explain how a device uses energy to perform a specific task.

ELA Standards

ELA Standards:

3-5.RI.7: Use information gained from illustrations and the words in a text to demonstrate understanding of the text.

Math Standards:

3.MD.C.5: Recognize area as an attribute of plane figures and understand concepts of area measurement.
3.MD.C.6: Measure areas by counting unit squares.

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Objective:

Students will use critical thinking and problem-solving skills to design and build a new invention using a cardboard box, inspired by the book "It's Not a Box" by Antoinette Portis.

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Agenda (2-4 days)

In this STEM Challenge, the student’s task is to listen/read the story "It's Not a Box" by Antoinette Portis and use their imagination to create their own unique designs and structures using simple materials.

The lesson can take up to 4 days to finish, depending on the time the students take to build their designs.

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Intro

Introduce the lesson by asking students what they like to do with boxes. Have they ever used a box to make something other than a container? Encourage students to share their ideas and experiences.

Read/Watch the story "Not a Box" by Antoinette Portis to the class. As you read, stop to ask questions and encourage students to think about how the rabbit in the story is using his imagination.

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After the Story

After reading the story, ask students to think about how they can use their imagination to turn a simple box into something else.

Tell the students that they are going to be working in groups of 3-4 students and will need to brainstorm ideas together.

Students need to transform their box into something else using only the cardboard box,scissors, tape, markers or crayons and various craft supplies.

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Hands-on Activity Instructions

Divide the class into small groups, and distribute materials to each group.
Review the Engineering Design Process with the students: Define the problem, research and gather information, brainstorm ideas, create a prototype, test and evaluate, and redesign.
Students will be using the Engineering Design Process worksheet to plan and design their box transformation..

Encourage students to think creatively and experiment with different shapes and colors.
Once students have their Engineering Design process worksheet finished and ready to work on their boxes, they can walk up to the supply table and grab materials to start transforming their boxes.

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Assessment

Once the students have completed their designs, have them share their creations with the class. Encourage them to explain their designs and how they used their imagination to turn a simple box into something else.

Finally, ask the students to reflect on the lesson by discussing the following questions:

How did you use your imagination to create your design or structure?
What challenges did you encounter during the lesson, and how did you overcome them?
What did you learn about the importance of creativity and imagination?

Assessment will be based on students' participation in the discussion, their creativity and use of imagination in their designs or structures, and their ability to explain their ideas and thought process to the class.

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Differentiation

Show struggling students some example designs from the internet or a teacher made example.
Instead of a cardboard box, you can give students construction paper and make a 2D design instead of a 3D cardboard design.

Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

Have students write a short story or description of their design or structure, imagining what it is used for or what adventures it takes them on.

Explore other books that encourage creativity and imagination, such as "Not a Stick" by Antoinette Portis or "Beautiful Oops!" by Barney Saltzberg.

Challenge students to create a larger-scale design or structure using multiple boxes and other materials, such as tape or glue.