Science

Grade 4
Topic C

Building Devices and Vehicles that Move Unit Plan

January February
Miss Thompson
PS 3 Spring 2017

1
Instruction Period:

This unit will be taught to students three times per week in one hour periods.

Rational:
The building devices and vehicles unit (Topic C) is based upon the specific and general learning outcomes
presented by the Alberta Program of Studies. Within the unit students will explore and evaluate the parts
of mechanical devices, as well as design and build devices that much, for example: a toy. By the end of the
unit students will be able to answer all I can statements from the Edmonton Public School document.

Outcomes:

General Learner Expectations

Students will:
4-7: Construct a mechanical device for a designated purpose, using materials and design suggestions provided.
4-8: Explore and evaluate variations to the design of a mechanical device, demonstrating that control is an important element in the
design and construction of that device.

Specific Learner Expectations

Students will:
1. Design and construct devices and vehicles that move or have moving partslinkage, wheels and axles.
2. Use simple forces to power or propel a device; e.g., direct pushes, pulls, cranking
mechanisms, moving air, moving water and downhill motion.
3. Design and construct devices and vehicles that employ energy-storing or energy-consuming components that will cause motion;
e.g., elastic bands, springs, gravity, wind, moving water.
4. Recognize the need for control in mechanical devices, and apply control mechanisms where necessary.
5. Compare two designs, identifying the relative strengths and weaknesses of each.
6. Identify steps to be used in constructing a device or vehicle, and work cooperatively with other students to construct the device or
vehicle.
7. Design and construct several different models of a device and evaluate each model, working cooperatively with other students.
Suggested evaluation criteria are identified under the Specific Learner Expectations, Reflect and Interpret, page B.18.

2
Day/ Topic S Materials Lesson Overview Assessment
(Chunked L (For, As, Of)
into O
Weeks)
#1 n/ -Video 1. -Brainstorm of devices that move -Students will
Introducti a -Smart Board 2. -Rube Goldberger Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch? demonstrate
-ABC Handout prior knowledge
on Lesson - Simple machines
v=qybUFnY7Y8w -Gain
-I wonder 3. -Reflect on Videos (questions related to outcomes) understand
-White Board 4. -ABC (handout) with simple machines in the classroom from video
Markers (everyday life) -Handout with
5. -Come up with I wonder questions for the unit (base simple
machines in the
upon GLOs) classroom
6. Tomorrows Lesson - Introduce that today we are building (daily life)
water wheels
#2 Forces 2, -Square cards 1. Review from last class (ask questions) (Allow some flex) -Class
- Wind 3, -pin (sewing?) 2. Introduce wind energy with video (student energy) Discussion
4, -pencil
6 -small beads?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5c50-_hcD0
-Smart Board 3. Think-Pair-Share
-Example Model 4. Make a pinwheel (http://stem-
works.com/external/activity/562)
Discussion answer questions such as moving air, what
makes the pin wheels move faster?
#3 Forces 2, -Handout 1. Review Yesterday and Introduce Todays lesson -Catapult
Building 3, -Demonstration 2. Demonstrate store energy with a sling shot handout
4, Catapult
day 6 -sling shot or
3. Have students work in their notebook to describe what is
elastic happening
-elastic band 4. Explain we will be creating and testing catapults
-spoon 5. Demonstrate to class
-paper clips 6. Every students will complete the handout
-Styrofoam

3
 -Ruler 7. Build Catapult
-Pencil Close with class discussion (Video if time)
-Example Model
#4 Forces 2, Work Sheet 1. Explain to students that water wheels have been used to -Class
different 3, (Alternate as well) harness power discussion
4, -Spool (thread, -Completion of
forces 6 cork, water bottle)
2. Think Pair Share Water Wheel
Water -Cue cards 3. Teacher demonstrates the water wheel
-Tin Foil 4. Have each group build a water wheel and test
-Glue 5. Show Video - https://youtu.be/q8HmRLCgDAI
-Tub of water + 6. Class discussion
Cup
-White board 7. Tomorrow lesson
markers
-Example Model

FLEX DAY 1. Wrap up all Forces activity

if Needed
#5 Build 1, -Wheels (Lego 1. Introduce by showing example of wheelie -Handout
a Car 3, wheels, bottle 2. Handout (work through using my model) -Observation
7 caps)
-Very small hair
3. Build Wheelies
elastics 4. Have students decorate if they finish early or work on
-1L milk crossword
containers 5. Have students brainstorm what they need for their own
-Skewers cars (send letter home regarding materials)
-Straws
-Colouring
Supplies
-Example Model

#6 5, -Textbooks 1. Introduction discussion around questions, Zero gravity -Handout

Gravity 6 -Wooden ramps plane https://youtu.be/5wxssw4LtN0 -Class
-Handout discussion
Ramps/Sta -Smart Board
2. Think-pair-share

4
tons -Example Model 3. Teacher demonstrate with ramp and car toy
4. Build ramps with materials (such as textbooks, stairs) Ask
students what makes the vehicle move faster, more
controlled etc.
5. Compare with other vehicles
6. Work on Gravity hand out
7. Show video https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=ljRlB6TuMOU

#7 Be a 1, -Materials from 1. Introduction to be a designer -Handout

Designer 6 home 2. Explain process of building a wheelie -Design Plan
-Colouring -Observe
supplies
3. What would you want to put on your car first problem solving
-Designer Booklet (Brainstorm) Discussion around potential problems and
how to solve them,
4. Explain parts of the wheelie (wheels, axle, frame)
5. Have students draw their own wheelie
6. Pair and Share design
#8 Be a 1, -Ramp 1. Remind students of task Finish Drawings -Take in cars
Designer 6 -Measuring Tape 2. Have students build their cars
Cont. 3. Test cars
#9/10 -Ramp 1. Make modification Graph Activity
Race Day -Measuring Tape 2. Race day event
3. Class discussion

#11 1- -Jeopardy Game 1. Review game -Participation

-Review 7 -Participation sheets
handout
#12 Unit -Test 1. Unit Test -Test
Test
#13 Flex Flex day if needed

5
Day