Jenn Sayre Date: November 2

Mrs. Evans Time:

Grade 3
Science/STEM
Candy Corn Challenge
I. Essential Questions
a. What is the best way to construct a tower using only toothpicks and
candy corn?

II. Standards
a. 3-5-ETSI1-2 Generate and compare multiple possible solutions to a
problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and
constraints of the problem.
b. 3-5-ESI1-3 Plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are
controlled and failure points are considered to identify aspects of a
model or prototype that can be improved.

III. Learning Objectives and Assessments

Learning Objectives Assessments
Students will be able to use the scientific Students will create a tower that is free
method to plan and create a tower made standing, as well as fill out the worksheet
only out of candy corn and toothpicks. with appropriate and correct responses.

IV. Materials
a. The Candy Corn Contest by Patricia Giff
b. Candy corn
c. Toothpicks
d. Challenge worksheet

V. Pre-Lesson Assignment and/or Prior Knowledge

a. Students understand the scientific method.

VI. Lesson Beginning

a. The teacher will write this riddle on the board.
i. Little triangle colorful and sweet, I think you are my favorite
thing to eat. Orange and white and yellow too, ____________ is so
fun to chew!

VII. Instructional Plan

a. After the students have answered the riddle, the teacher will read the
book The Candy Corn Contest by Patricia Giff.
b. The teacher will explain the directions of this activity:
i. Students will be put into groups of 3-4 (pre selected by the
teacher)
 ii. The task is to build the tallest tower possible by only using 1
cup of candy corn and 100 toothpicks.
iii. The tower must be free standing.
c. The students will be given their groups and asked for find a spot
around the room where they can work.
d. One student will give each person a worksheet.
e. The teacher will instruct the students that they must create a plan and
write it on the worksheet before they can begin constructing the
tower.
f. Pass out the materials and reiterate that the students are only
creating a plan and not constructing the tower until each student has
written the plan down and drawn a picture.
g. Give the students 15 minutes to complete the tower. Throughout the
time, give students an update with how many minutes they have left.
h. Count down when the students only have 10 seconds left.
i. Once the time is up, tell students to take 2 steps away from the tower.
j. The teacher will measure each tower and announce the winner.
k. Ask the students to complete the worksheet with their groups or
individually.

VIII. Questions
a. What was your groups original plan for building the tower?
b. How did your group decide how to build the tower?
c. Did your tower plans change as you started to build it? Why?
d. In the end, were your plans successful? Why or why not?

IX. Differentiation
a. The students will be working in groups and answering the questions
together to help each other out.
b. If, at the end, a student wants to answer the questions by themselves,
they may do so.

X. Transitions
a. The teacher will announce one group at a time and ask that group to
find a spot in the classroom to work, reducing the amount of students
moving around at once.

XI. Classroom Management

a. To get the students attention, the teacher will use the chime.
b. The materials will be pre counted.

XII. Closure
a. The students will discuss their ideas, successes, and challenges with
the class.
b. Students will dispose of the towers.