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Lesson 4: lasers, mechanical men, and refrigeration
Objectives: Students will work out their solutions to the 5 observed phenomena, and arrange the elements inside their transparent "case" so that a viewer can see components. Accuracy of drawing is not important.....the important element here is how language labels are used to explain what is happening. (samples)
Core Lessons:
How much time is given to this working out of ideas on paper and in words depends on your intentions, and the skills of your students. For me, it is worth 2-3 periods spread out over time, with 2 sessions at home assigned to continuing. The students almost universally are excited about the project in a way that they naturally take it home. It is important for me that I give them room to think through a wide range of possibilities, and that I let them proceed at different paces. I use the in-class work periods to spend time with individuals, listening, questioning, and congratulating them on their ideas and representations.
Direct Instruction to Assist:
I allow students to use "The Way Things Work" book and cd (see resources). It doesn't show soda machines, but does have machines that have similar functions.... scanner lasers, refrigerations and air conditioners, etc. I'm quite happy with the students using a great deal of imagination, just as long as they can make their case in a couple of lines of text. ("robot is programmed to open door for one soda, then close it FAST")
Refrigeration, side trip into science:
However, we do spend quite a bit of time to understand how heat moves, and how science allows us to refrigerate. Understanding heat- radiation, conduction, and convection- is core for 6th grade science, and fascinating in general to kids.
The Minimum:
A wonderful website, How Stuff Works, gives kids accessible text, pictures, and useful graphics to show how heat exchange works. As a teacher, if you don't already know it, it's worth spending some time on this! http://www.howstuffworks.com/refrigerator.htm
Hands-On-I take the time, usually when the students are just getting their first draft finished, to do several hands-on activities to construct some knowledge of heat, currents, and pressure relationships-
Here are quick summaries and links to resources>
(#5- suggestions for use of online resources and reference cd's)
Lesson 6: Finishing up.... sharing and assessing>
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