The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project

Integrating STEM through Literature: Those Darn Squirrels

Integrating STEM through Literature: Those Darn Squirrels

A 4th/5th grade STEM lesson

Mary McGalloway

11/24/2023

Notes for teachers

• This lesson takes place in a classroom for approximately one hour.
• Students may work in small groups of 2-4.
• Review Engineering Design Process.
• Creativity, communication, and collaboration should be a cornerstone of this activity.

List of Materials

• Book: Those Darn Squirrels by Adam Rubin
• Various building materials:

Straws, tissue paper, paper plates, foil, plastic cups, tape, string, cardboard rolls (paper towel), glue, Play-doh, foil pie tins, marbles…and anything else you would like to put out for students to use and be creative

• Blank paper to draw a plan
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Rulers

Standards

NGSS Engineering Standards

3-5-ETS1-1. Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want that includes specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost.

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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.

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Science and Engineering Practices

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

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Core Ideas for Using Science

U2: The knowledge produced by science is used in engineering and technologies to solve problems and/or create products.

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Arizona ELA Standards

4.RL.6 Compare and contrast the point of view from which different stories are narrated, including the difference between first-and third-person narrations

5.RL.2 Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details of the text; include how characters in a story or drama respond to challenges, how the speaker in a poem reflects upon a topic, and a summary of the text.

5.RL.6 Describe how a narrator’s or speaker’s point of view influences how events are described

5.SL.1 Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade (4)5 topics and texts, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.

Objectives:

Today we will determine the theme of our story Those Darn Squirrels, and analyze how characters in the story respond to challenges.

Today we will communicate and collaborate with a small group to complete an engineering design challenge.

Today we will create a squirrel proof bird feeder

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Agenda (45-60 minutes)

Read: Those Darn Squirrels by Adam Rubin

Introduce, or review, the Engineering Design Process

Collaborate with group members to draw a plan for a bird feeder that the squirrels cannot get into

Create your idea with the materials provided

Share your bird feeder design with the class

Intro/Driving Question/Opening

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The main character in our story, Old Man Fookwire, loved watching the birds in his yard. He really enjoyed building bird feeders for all of them. The only problem were those darn squirrels who constantly ate all of the bird seed Old Man Fookwire put out for them!

Your challenge is to come up with a design to allow the birds IN and keep the squirrels OUT of the bird feeders.

Hands-on Activity Instructions

In a group of 2-4, plan and build a bird feeder that the squirrels cannot get into! A plan must be drawn, labeled, and approved by the teacher before building may begin.

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• The bird feeder must be at least 12 inches in height.
• You may secure your bird feeder to the desk/table.
• You can only use materials provided

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Assessment

• Is there a drawn and labeled plan to build a bird feeder to let the birds in and keep the squirrels out?
• Did you design your bird feeder with the approved materials?
• Did you collaborate with group members to solve any design challenges?
• If yes, what adjustments did you make to improve the design?

ELA Assessment

Those Darn Squirrels has a theme of compassion, frustration and teamwork throughout the story. How did your team work together to plan and create a squirrel proof bird feeder?

Compare and contrast Old Man Fookwire’s point of view vs. the squirrels’ point of view.

How did the characters in the story respond to the challenges they faced?

Differentiation

• Take away the height requirement for the bird feeder.
• Put out fewer supplies to choose from for building the feeder.
• Use Legos instead of random building materials.
• Allow students to vocalize ideas they cannot build but would like to incorporate in their design.
• Have students draw a detailed plan instead of build one.

Extension/Enrichment

• Give students a “budget” for their supplies. (Place an amount on each of the supplies you put out and students can only “purchase” materials within their budget)
• Change the height requirement for the bird feeder.
• Make specific measurements as to the dimensions of the bird feeder.
• Incorporate an obstacle course the squirrels would have to get through to get to the bird feeder.