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The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project

Big Bad Bubble!

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Big Bad Bubble

A First Grade Picture Book Challenge

Cristina Rapeta

June 1, 2024

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Notes for teachers

In this lesson, teacher will read the book Big Bad Bubble, while asking comprehension questions, focusing on the mindset of facing your fears, being brave.

After the read aloud, students will have an EDP challenge: they will create a monster that can live in LaLa Land and that has a special ability.

Once monsters are created, students will go outside to blow some bubbles. Before and after the task, students will talk about physical properties of bubbles.

**The recipe for bubbles is included in the slides. However, to save time, bubble solution (with wands attached) can be purchased from Amazon: Bubbles

List of Materials

  • Book Big Bad Bubble (video link)
  • empty toilet paper rolls or paper towel rolls
  • construction paper
  • popsicle sticks
  • tape
  • markers
  • scissors
  • dish soap
  • glycerin (Amazon link)
  • water
  • bubble wands
  • food coloring (optional)

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Science and Engineering Practices

● ask questions and define problems

● construct explanations and design solutions

● engage in argument from evidence

● obtain, evaluate, and communicate information

Arizona ELA Standards

1.RI.1: Ask and answer questions, such as who, what, where, why, and how about key details in a text

Arizona Science Standards

1.PS.1: Characterize materials as solid, liquid, or gas and investigate their properties, record observations and explain the choices to others based on evidence (i.e., physical properties).

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Objective(s):

I can answer questions on key details in a text.

I can use the Engineering Design Process to solve a problem.

I can give an example of facing a fear.

I can explain physical properties of a bubble.

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Agenda

*Each component has their own slide with accompanying notes and/or discussion questions in the presenter note part of each slide.*

Read aloud/Mindset: Facing Fears

Create a Monster Challenge

Physical Properties of a Bubble

Reflection

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Read Aloud:

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Activity/Challenge

Create a monster that can be found in La La Land.

Supplies:

toilet paper/paper towel roll

markers

tape

construction paper

popsicle sticks

pipe cleaner

scissors

Criteria:

  • Create a monster that can be found in LaLa Land
  • Give your monster a name
  • Give your monster a special ability

Constraints:

  • You can only use the supplies provided
  • You can only use one toilet paper roll or half a paper towel roll
  • Time (10 minutes)

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Examples:

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Making Bubbles:

Recipe:

4 cups water

2 Tablespoons glycerin

1 cup dish soap

Optional: a few drops of food coloring

Are bubbles solid, liquid, or gas?

How do you know?

What did you notice about the bubbles?

Are larger bubbles easier to blow than smaller bubbles?

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Reflection:

What is your monster’s name and special ability?

What can you do or tell yourself to face a fear?

What is one physical property of a bubble?

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Differentiation

For struggling students, you may:

  • pair them with a partner
  • allow more time
  • give them a pre-selected bag of materials and special ability for their monster

Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

  • write a few sentences about their monster
  • have students mix the bubble solution ingredients
  • compare two different solutions (different colors, more glycerin, more soap, etc)