The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project

How to Catch a Turkey

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How to Catch a Turkey

A 3rd grade STEM lesson

Lindsay Dominguez

December, 2023

Notes for teachers

• This lesson takes place inside the classroom
• This lesson can be done as one long lesson or broken up into three smaller lessons
• Students will work in teams to complete the ELA assignments, code their Edison robot, and find the perimeter.

List of Materials

• Edison robots
• Grid for the turkeys to be coded to drive on
• Large team sized activities (story element processing grid and sequencing flow map)
• Graphing paper
• Rulers
• How to Catch a Turkey Processing Grid.docx
• Student laptops
• Epic to listen to the book as a team

ELA Standards

Computer Science Standards

• 3.RL.1 Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text, referring explicitly to the text as the basis for the answers.
• 3.RL.3 Describe characters in a story (e.g., their traits, motivations, or feelings) and explain how their actions contribute to the sequence of events.

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Math Standards

• 3.MD.C Geometric measurement: Understand concepts of area and perimeter.

Arizona Science Standards and Engineering Practices

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• ask questions and define problems
• develop and use models
• plan and carry out investigations
• analyze and interpret data
• use mathematics and computational thinking
• construct explanations and design solutions
• engage in argument from evidence
• obtain, evaluate, and communicate information

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3.AP.C.1 Create programs that include sequences, events, loops, and/or conditionals.

Objectives:

Students will work together in small groups and listen to the story “How to Catch a Turkey” to complete the following activities:

• Students will be able to identify the story elements and complete the Team Task with their team.
• Students will be able to use a flow map to identify the sequence of events in the story.
• Students will code their robot to reach its destination on the map.
• Students will calculate the perimeter of their destination.

Agenda (3 lessons 45-60 minutes) #1

• Note review of previously learned concepts; story elements and sequence of events.
• Listen and watch the video on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=637wlXDelyI
• Teams will work together to complete the Team Tasks
• How to Catch a Turkey Processing Grid.docx

Agenda (3 lessons 45-60 minutes) #2

• Listen and watch the video on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=637wlXDelyI Watch the video as a whole group to help with attention before moving into individual teams.
• Teams will be given a location card by the teacher. The location card comes directly from the story.
• Teams will work together to code their Edison robots to travel to the assigned destination on the maps. For future lessons have students write out code as they work to help them with making adjustments for coding.

Agenda (3 lessons 45-60 minutes) #3

• Students will use the large map and their location card to find the perimeter of the location they coded their Edison robot .
• For future lessons, allow students to utilize notes to assist with finding perimeter.

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Intro/Driving Question/Opening

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What are the important story elements in “How to Catch a Turkey”?

How do the events in the story build upon one another?

How can we work together as a team to code our robot to reach the destination on the map?

How can you find the perimeter of your team’s location on the map?

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Hands-on Activity Instructions

• Students will work together in the same small groups for each lesson. Group students according to strengths and needs. Some students need more assistance using the coding app.
• Students will complete the processes grid and flow map based on the story together. Allow students to draw pictures for Team Task activity if they struggle with writing.
• Students will work as a team to code their robots around the map that mimics the story elements.
• Students will work together to find the perimeter of their assigned location on the map. Review perimeter and operations as well regrouping before starting this section of the lesson.

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Assessment

ELA - Students can identify the elements of the story. Allow students to incorporate pictures if they struggle with writing.

Coding- Students can code their robot to get to its destination on the map. Supply a rubric for coding expectations.

Math - Students can calculate the perimeter of their given area. Have all students in group complete the perimeter part of this lesson to show they understand the content.

Differentiation

• This project can be done in small groups for all areas.
• Students can rewatch the video using Epic to help them identify the story elements and sequencing.
• Students who struggle with writing can add pictures to their Team Task.

Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

• Coding - Students can code their robots in the sequence of events based on the previously completed flow chart.

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• Math - Students can find the area of their given location as well as perimeter.

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• ELA - Students can add to the story by writing a narrative about what the turkey will do after starting his new mascot career.

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