Summary
After completing a unit on electricity, students experimented with a kit called Enviro Battery by Green Science to make lemon batteries, a potato-powered clock, a sound chip sing using dirt, a battery with water, and a battery with a paper clip. While completing this activity, there were many “I wonder” questions that emerged such as, “I wonder if I could light a small light bulb” (not LED), “I wonder if I could use lemons and potatoes together?”, “I wonder if we could use any other materials?”. These questions were posted on our class “I Wonder” board and prompted me to create an inquiry lesson where the students could test their theories by creating their own circuit without using batteries or electricity, and that could power something they might need or want during a blackout.
TIPC Ratings
Students created their own “I Wonder” questions to guide research.
Students selected the most appropriate digital tools and information sources such as Kidoos.org, OneSearch, print resources located in the library, hands-on interaction and blogging to score this lesson in the target area for research.
Students worked in small groups to share ideas and formulate jobs, but then began working together as a class to share ideas and materials without my prompting.
-Ideas were shared on our classroom blog, especially reflections on what did NOT work, so this lesson scores in the target range.
-Students selected the most appropriate digital tools as well as quality questioning, critical thinking and problem solving strategies to solve authentic tasks.
-Students reflected on their roles as critical thinkers and/or problem solvers and set goals for future growth.
-Students were presented with a real-world problem to score this lesson in the target range.
Students synthesized existing and self-generated knowledge to create new ideas and products within and buyond assignment parameters.
-Students took strategic risks that supported their innovation.
-Students reflected on the creative/innovative process and set goals for future growth.
Student Artifact
Download Files
- Lesson Plan
- CE Design Brief
- Research Notes
- Work Samples
- Teacher Blog
