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This lesson takes place in a classroom for approximately 45 minutes or can be divided into multiple sessions if needed)
This lesson plan is split into 3 types of lesson for the overall unit.
An emphasis on the target creation of paper airplanes.
Creative solutions should be encouraged.
Facilitate student reflection on what they learned about planes and how aerodynamics work.

List of Materials:

Lesson 1

Picture Cards of flying objects
Balloons
Feathers
Paper airplanes

Lesson 2

Pinwheels (one for each student)
Small windsocks (you can make these from paper)
Outdoor space with a breeze

�Lesson 3

Paper Plates
Markers, crayons, or stickers
Craft Sticks
Tape or glue
Scissors (for adult use)

Notes for Teachers

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Standards

This lesson implements standards for Science and Engineering.

Physical Science:

K.P2U2.2 Design and evaluate a tool that helps people extend their senses.

Science Core Ideas:

P3: Changing the movement of an object requires a net force to be acting on it.
U2: The knowledge produced by science is used in engineering and technologies to solve problems and/or create products.

English Language Arts:

K.W.8 With guidance and support from adults, recall information from experiences or gather information from provided sources to answer a question

Engineering (E):

Standard E.K-2-3: Analyze data from tests of two objects designed to solve the same problem to compare the strengths and weaknesses of how each performs.

Standards

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Objectives:

Introduce Kindergarten students to basic concepts of aerodynamics by exploring various flying objects.

Help Kindergarten students understand how wind affects objects and introduces basic aerodynamics.

Engage Kindergarten students in a creative activity where they design and decorate their paper plate airplanes while learning about aerodynamics.

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Agenda

Agenda (120 minutes) - this lesson plan contains 3 separate mini lesson plans

Lesson Plan 1 (45 mins)
Lesson Plan 2 (30 mins)
Lesson Plan 3 (45 mins)

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Lesson Plan 1

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Introduction (10 mins)

Begin by showing pictures of different flying objects and ask students if they have seen or played with any of them.

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Exploration Stations (30 mins)

Set up different exploration stations around the classroom:

Station 1: Balloon Rockets

Inflate balloons and attach strings to them.
Have students release the balloons and observe how they move through the air.

Station 2: Feather Drop

Let students drop feathers from different heights and discuss how they fall.

Station 3: Paper Airplanes

Show them how to fold simple paper airplanes.
Allow students to throw the paper airplanes and see how they fly.

Encourage students to make observations about how each object moves and ask questions about why they move the way they do.

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Discussion (5 mins)

Gather students and have a brief discussion about what they observed at each station.

Explain that all these objects move through the air because of aerodynamics, which is like magic in the air!

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Conclusion (5 mins)

Recap the key concepts of the lesson, emphasizing that aerodynamics helps things fly and move through the air.

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Lesson Plan 2

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Introduction (5 mins)

Start by asking students if they have ever felt the wind and what it feels like.

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Pinwheel Experiment (15 mins)

Distribute pinwheels to each student.

Take them to an outdoor space where there is a breeze.
Instruct students to hold their pinwheels in the wind and watch what happens when the wind blows on them.
Discuss how the wind makes the pinwheels spin.

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Windsock Experiment (10 mins)

Give each student a small windsock or help them make one from paper.

Attach the windsocks to sticks or straws.
Let the students hold their windsocks up in the wind and observe how they move.
Discuss the difference between the pinwheels and windsocks in how they respond to the wind.

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Discussion (5 mins)

Gather students and discuss what they observed about how the wind affects objects.

Explain that the way objects interact with the wind is a part of aerodynamics.

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Conclusion (5 mins)

Summarize the key points of the lesson and remind students that wind can be a fun way to experience aerodynamics.

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Lesson Plan 3

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Introduction (10 mins)

Begin by discussing what airplanes are and show pictures or toy airplanes to the students.

Explain that they will be making their own paper plate airplanes.

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Paper Plate Airplane Design (25 mins)

Provide each student with a paper plate and craft sticks.

Instruct them to decorate their paper plates to look like airplanes using markers, crayons, or stickers.
Adult assistance may be needed to cut small slits in the paper plates where the craft sticks will be inserted.
Have students insert craft sticks into the slits to create the airplane wings and tail.

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Paper Plate Airplane Design Examples

We used paper plates for the sturdiness of the plane. You could also use cardstock for the planes.

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Flying Test (10 mins)

Take the students outside to a safe area for flying their paper plate airplanes.

Allow them to throw their airplanes and observe how they fly.
Encourage them to experiment with different throwing techniques.

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Discussion (5 mins)

Gather students and discuss how their paper plate airplanes flew.

Talk about how the design of their airplanes affected their flight.

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Conclusion (5 mins)

Summarize the key concepts, emphasizing that even paper plate airplanes follow the principles of aerodynamics.

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Assessment

Provide each student with a paper plate, markers, craft sticks, and tape or glue.

Instruct the students to create their paper plate airplanes, considering the following criteria:

The airplane must have wings.
The airplane must have a tail.
They can use markers to decorate their airplane if desired.

After completing their paper plate airplanes, ask the students to label the parts of their airplane on the paper plate (e.g., wings, tail).

Have each student describe how they believe their airplane will fly, considering concepts such as lift, drag, and thrust.

Organize a class showcase where each student demonstrates how they launch their paper plate airplane and observes its flight.

During the showcase, ask follow-up questions to assess their understanding, such as:

Why do you think your airplane flew the way it did?
How did you create lift on your paper plate airplane?

Evaluate the students based on their ability to follow the design criteria, label the parts, and provide explanations related to aerodynamics concepts.

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Differentiation

Select a small group of struggling students who may need additional support in understanding aerodynamics concepts.

Provide each struggling student with a plain sheet of paper and markers or crayons.

Instruct the students to draw simple shapes on their paper, such as circles, squares, or triangles. These shapes will serve as the basis for their paper airplanes.

Once the shapes are drawn, have an adult helper or teacher cut out the shapes following the drawn lines. These will become the paper airplanes.

Ask the students to decorate their paper airplanes using markers or crayons. They can add eyes, a smile, or other creative features to make their airplanes unique.

Demonstrate how to fold the paper airplanes by folding the shape in half (if it's not already folded), creating a crease along the fold, and folding down the top edges to create wings.

Assist the struggling students in folding their paper airplanes, providing guidance as needed.

Have the students observe the shape of their paper airplanes and ask them questions such as:

"What shape is your airplane?"
"What do you think will happen when you fly it?"

Take the students to a clear open space indoors or outdoors, and let them fly their simple shape paper airplanes.

After flying the airplanes, gather the students and discuss their observations. Ask questions like:

"Did your airplane fly in a straight line?"
"Did it go up or down?"
"What happened when you gave it a gentle push?"

Emphasize basic aerodynamics concepts such as lift and gravity in simple terms during the discussion.

Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

Explain to the students that they will participate in the "Paper Plate Airplane Challenge," where they will design and create unique paper plate airplanes.
Provide a variety of craft supplies, including colored paper, foam shapes, stickers, and more. Encourage students to use these materials to enhance their paper plate airplanes creatively.
Introduce an optional challenge component: "Can your airplane carry a passenger?" Explain that they can attach a small, lightweight object (e.g., a plastic bottle cap) to their airplane to simulate a passenger.
Demonstrate how to cut and attach straws as additional support or landing gear for their airplanes. Ensure that adult assistance is available for cutting and securing straws.
Allow students to work independently or in pairs, giving them ample time to design and construct their enhanced paper plate airplanes.
Encourage students to think about how the changes they make to their airplanes might affect their flight.
Once the airplanes are completed, gather the students for a flight showcase and discussion:

Have each student or pair present their airplane, explaining the design choices they made and any challenges they faced.
Ask questions like:

What did you add to your airplane, and why?
How do you think these additions will affect the flight of your airplane?
Did your airplane successfully carry its "passenger"?

Launch the airplanes and observe how they perform, taking note of any differences compared to the basic paper plate airplanes.
Conclude the activity with a group discussion about what they learned and any surprises they encountered during the challenge.