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Notes for teachers

This activity took place after a study of the Gingerbread Man but it could be completed as a stand alone project.

This activity took place during one 45 minute class period.

Students worked in small groups of 2-3 students.

If a student requested, they were allowed to alone.

List of Materials

slides of different types of bridges
Copy of the book: What’s the MATTER with the Three Little Pigs? The Fairy-Tale Physics of Matter or listen to the story online: Story on YouTube
Building materials: popsicle sticks, pipe cleaners, rubber bands, glue, straws, string, paper towel rolls, tape, paper cups, toothpicks, paper
20 plastic pennies (for the weight challenge)

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Standards

2nd Grade Core Ideas for Knowing Science:

P1: All matter in the Universe is made of very small particles.

2nd Grade Core Ideas for Using Science:

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

Science & Engineering Practices

● 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

2nd Grade ELA-Reading Literature:

RL.2.2 Recount stories, including fables and folktales from diverse cultures, and determine their central message, lesson, or moral.

RL.2.7 Use information gained from the illustrations and words in a print or digital text to demonstrate understanding of its characters, setting, or plot.

2nd Grade Math Standards

2.MD.A Measure and estimate lengths in standard units.

2.MD.A.1: Measure the length of an object by selecting and using appropriate tools

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Objective(s):

Today students will design and build a bridge so the Gingerbread man can safely cross the water without the help of the sly fox! Note: our test for the bridge - It will be able to withstand the weight of at least 20 plastic pennies.

Students will learn about different types of bridges.

Students will learn about different types of matter.

Students will use the design process.

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Agenda (lesson time)

This lesson was completed in one 45 minute session.

Discuss the different Gingerbread stories and how the sly fox always ate the gingerbread man.

Discuss ways in which the Gingerbread man could safely get across the river/body of water.

Discuss bridges and how they are used to span different bodies of water.

Read the story: What’s the MATTER with the Three Little Pigs? The Fairy Tale Physics of Matter- Story on YouTube

Review slides of bridges

Discuss materials that would be good to use when building a bridge.

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Agenda continued

Present challenge:

Build a bridge for the gingerbread man to cross the water safely. The bridge must be free standing and be able to support the weight of 20 plastic pennies.

Allow time to build the bridge.

Test out the bridges and reassess and make necessary changes as needed.

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Types of Bridges

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Types of Bridges

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How can you safely get the Gingerbread man across the water?

The Gingerbread man seems to always get outsmarted and eaten at the end of the story. Your challenge is to design and build a bridge to go across the river so the Gingerbread man can safely get to the other side.

Your bridge must be able to support a minimum of 20 plastic pennies.

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Hands-on Activity Instructions

This activity takes one 45 minute period to complete.
Discuss the different Gingerbread man stories you have read and how he always gets eaten trying to get across the water. (You can eliminate this step if doing a stand alone challenge).
Read or listen to What’s the MATTER with the Three Little Pigs? The Fairy Tale Physics of Matter- Story on YouTube
Talk about and explore pictures of different bridges.
Distribute your planning template.
Have groups of students. I had students work in groups of 2-3. Brainstorm and share ideas.
Have students design and build their bridges.
Count out 10 pennies and have students test their bridges.

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Assessment

Students will test their bridges by placing plastic pennies on the bridge. �The goal is for the bridge to be able to support at least 20 plastic pennies.

If a bridge fails, students will reassess their design and try again.

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Differentiation

Determine what the student is having struggles with and provide assistance and feedback. Walk student through the design process or iteration process as needed.

Provide additional information about bridge structure including books, online videos or resources.

Provide additional information about which materials would be stronger.

Partner struggling students with other students as needed.

Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

Increase the weight requirement for the bridge.

Challenge students to design their bridge to specific specifications.

Have student write a new ending to the Gingerbread man story incorporating the bridge into the story.