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Lesson Plan - Think Big!
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Learning Objective
Students will learn how four creative kid inventors designed devices to help solve problems.
Text Structure
Problem/Solution
Content-Area Connections
Science and Technology
Standards Correlations
CCSS: RI.4.1, RI.4.2, RI.4.3, RI.4.4, RI.4.5, RI.4.6, RI.4.7, RI.4.8, RI.4.10, L.4.4, SL.4.1, W..4.2
NGSS: Engineering Design
TEKS: Science 4.3
1. Preparing to Read
Activate Prior KnowledgeHave students name inventions they use every day and imagine why the inventors created them. Point out that inventions are often created as solutions to problems.
Preview Words to KnowProject the online vocabulary slideshow and introduce the Words to Know.
Set a Purpose for ReadingAs students read, have them identify the problem each invention was created to solve.
2. Close-Reading Questions
1. Why did Leanne Fan use headphones for her invention? Leanne used headphones for her invention because she wanted to make it easier for kids to get treated for ear infections. With headphones, kids can watch TV or listen to music while being treated. RI.4.2 KEY DETAILS
2. Why do you think Madison Checketts calls her invention the Eco-Hero? Eco refers to ecology, or the environment. Readers can infer that Madison calls her invention the Eco-Hero because she sees it as a way to reduce pollution and help the environment. RI.4.1 INFERENCE
3. Choose an invention from the article and describe a challenge the creator(s) overcame during the design process. Sample response: When Liam Pope-Lau and Fraser Tuck tested the LifeHeat vests, the boys got too hot. They continued working on the invention to fix the problem. RI.4.5 PROBLEM/SOLUTION
3. Skill Building
FEATURED SKILL: Informative Writing Use the Skill Builder “Design an Invention” to have students plan an invention. W.4.2 INFORMATIVE WRITING
Multilingual Learners Clarify that the expression “bring their ideas to life” means to actually build the invention the kids thought of.
Striving Readers Support comprehension by having small groups analyze the article’s text structure. Use the graphic organizer “Problem Solvers” (available here).
Writing Extension Have students write a script for an advertisement for one of the inventions described in the article—or for an invention idea of their own (see the Skill Builder “Design an Invention”).