FUTURA: STRUCTURES Warm Up

STRAW TOWER ACTIVITY A tower may be defined as an exceptionally tall building, or an exceptionally tall structure used for some functional purpose. In the past, towers were usually used to house bells (bell towers), for observation (watch towers), or for signaling (light houses).

Notable towers and other examples: Tower of Pisa Eiffel Towers The Twin Towers Radar Towers Transmission Line Towers Radio and TV broadcasting type

Your group task: The objective of this project is to design the tallest tower possible using ordinary drinking straws as the basic building material. The tower must meet the construction requirements. After completion of all the towers, each will be required to move their tower to the judging area

Process: You will be in table groups as teams. You will have 20 minutes total to construct your tower. No restrictions on height, depth, width, or shape. Must be FREE STANDING! Tower must be able to be moved to the judging area. Tower must be able to stand by itself for one minute.

TALLEST STRUCTURE WINS!

Journal Expectations Glue the “Self Evaluation Questions” to the inside cover Date on top right side of each journal page Always put a title for each journal entry Always write neatly and clearly Please use all pages in sequential order Please use your journal for educational purposes only (no doodling… or else) Keep the cover clean and neat, do not color

Group Evaluation Questions Verbally discuss with your group.   1. What did you like and dislike about your design? 2. What was the biggest challenge you faced? How did you overcome it? 3. If you had an opportunity to redesign your structure, what would you change?

Self Evaluation Questions Analysis – Write answers in your journal. 1.How did you feel while doing this activity? Did you ever want to give up? 2.How similar is your product to others in the room? 3.If you could add something to this activity, what would it be and why? 4. What was your contribution to the group?

BrainPOP | Seven Wonders FUTURA: STRUCTURES Seven Wonders Unit BrainPOP | Seven Wonders

Seven Wonders Unit Planning Directions: Your group will choose a “Wonder” to research. On presentation day your group will communicate information through PowerPoint and/or a poster as well as prepared notes. Other special effects and props are welcome. Your group’s presentation should take between 5-10 minutes.

Seven Wonders Unit Rubric RATINGS 1 2 3 4 5 6 Researching Given the opportunity, the student does not demonstrate the skill Locates and utilizes some sources to research topic with significant guidance Locates and utilizes some sources to research topic with guidance Locates and utilizes some sources to research topic independently Locates and utilizes multiple sources to research the topic independently Locates and utilizes multiple sources to thoroughly research the topic independently Explaining Connections Attempts to use Essential Understandings to explain connections with significant guidance Attempts to use Essential Understandings to explain some connections with guidance Uses some Essential Understandings to explain connections independently Uses Essential Understandings to explain connections independently Uses Essential Understandings to explain in depth connections independently Managing Time Given the opportunity, the student does not demonstrate this skill Uses extended period of time for completion of work with significant guidance Able to complete work in an appropriate time period with guidance Able to manage time wisely and complete some work in an appropriate time period Able to manage time wisely and complete most work in an appropriate time period Able to manage time wisely using self pacing and completes all work in an appropriate time period Communication Has difficulty expressing thoughts clearly Expresses some thoughts clearly with guidance Expresses some thoughts clearly Expresses most thoughts clearly Expresses all thoughts with clarity and depth

Center Training Complete Level 1 Activity Complete Level 2 Activity Complete Reflection Assessment Conference with Teacher Browse Center Crates Complete Center Selection Final Center Selection with Teacher

Agenda Seven Wonders – further research, use Research Log Renzulli – check your inbox for a question from your teacher that requires a response and have fun exploring Next Week: binder, agenda, any extra research (cite sources)