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The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project

Paper Rocket

Paper Rocket

A 1st grade STEM lesson

Fannie Hunt

December 20, 2023

Notes for teachers

When we did this activity, we used the regular copy paper to print out the template so that it’s lighter. I glued the rockets together using liquid glue and not the stick glue. I left the bottom part of the pattern unglued so that I can insert the straw.
You can use regular straw but the bendable straw is fun. I gave them the bendable straw and did not tell them that it can bend, they figured it out. Would it be fun if they can try the funky curvy straw? Why not, right? But if you do so, make sure to discuss the effects of various straws.

List of Materials:

Paper Rocket template
Scissors
Drinking Straw
Glue
crayons/markers

Science Standards

1.P3U1.3 Plan and carry out investigations which demonstrate how equal forces can balance objects and how unequal forces can push, pull, or twist objects, making them change their speed, direction, or shape.

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

ELA and Math Standards

1.SL.1 Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about grade 1 topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.

1.MP. 5 Use appropriate tools strategically.

1.OA.A Represent and solve problems involving addition and subtraction.

Objective(s):

I will be able to explain what force is.

I will be able to identify the type of force applied in the paper rocket.

I will be able to use the materials provided and build the paper rocket.

I will be able to use force to see how high and how far the paper rocket will fly.

Agenda (30-60 min.)

Introduction about force or review (3-5 minutes)

Story reading (Option 1) or Video (5 minutes).

Discussion about story read or video watched. (5 minutes)

Building the rocket ship. (5 minutes)

Practice (2 minutes)

Challenge (10 minutes)

Intro/Driving Question/Opening/Review

What is force?

What are the types of force?

What do you think is the type of force that we will use in today’s activity?

Force

is a push or pull acting on an object. It can cause the object to speed up,slow down, to remain still, or to change its shape.

Based on the video you just watched,

What is the purpose of the rocket ship? Why does it go to outer space?

What lifts the rocket off the ground?

follow the red lines in glueing

The Challenge

How high and how far can your rocket fly?

Assessment

Students can be assessed individually through this activity. This is not about who can launch their paper rocket the farthest. This is about who are willing to share ideas and who are showing curiosity. Who were able to answer the questions about the the video or story. I’d say this is based on participation. I included safety and being on task because I find these skills important to get the activity done especially with our very short Science period.

Write your notes in each blank space if you have when giving them the rating.

Example of comment under a score: You gave 1 for safety then you can write : Playing with scissors and was asked to be safe more than 3 times.

You gave 4 for On task then you can write: Finish task on time and work output was neat.

These are just examples.

Safe with Materials

Participation during Q&A

Differentiation

You can have the templates pre-cut for students who struggle with fine motor skills (or have a partner support).

Model how to use liquid glue efficiently.

Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

One way to extend or enrich this activity is to have the students add something that was not in the materials. Improve the design or change the type of paper/ materials used. (ex. Add weights- paper clips)

One way to differentiate in this lesson is to have a group competition. They can use all their rockets and have them add the distance of their rockets. The team with the highest total number wins!