1. Describing a Process with Rube Goldberg Mark Dorr United States Department of State English Language Specialist Kazakhstan, 2016 www.MarkDorr.com All Rights Reserved. RUBE GOLDBERG ® is a registered trademark of Rube Goldberg Inc. All materials used with permission. www.rubegoldberg.com

2. Stephen Hawking’s Machine of Life https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtK7bGXddD8

3. Who was Rube Goldberg? Rueben (Rube) Garret Lucius Goldberg was born on July 4 th, 1883 in San Francisco, California and lived until December 7 th, 1970. Mr. Goldberg was as an inventor, engineer, sculptor, author, and cartoonist and made his mark in history with his achievements. He is most famous for drawing “Rube Goldberg Machines.” These are extremely complicated devices that do very simple tasks in complex ways. A “Rube Goldberg Machine” is now used as an expression to describe any system that is confusing, complicated, or absurd. Also see https://www.rubegoldberg.com/about/ https://www.rubegoldberg.com/about/ https://www.rubegoldberg.com/

4. What Is the Legacy of Goldberg’s Work? Among other things: Rube Goldberg was the first cartoonist to have an exhibition of his accomplishments was shown in Washington, D.C. at the National Museum of American History. His drawing of the Self Operating Napkin was put on some USA postage stamps. There are Rube Goldberg contests in schools and universities worldwide that challenge students to create intricate machines to do easy tasks.

5. Describing a Process

6. Why Learn How to Describe a Process? The ability to describe a process is necessary in STEM. Clear instructions are needed so that procedures can be replicated. For example, with clear descriptions of processes: experiments can be repeated well machines can be copied easily mathematical reasoning can be more effective computers can run properly

7. What does this machine do? What things (nouns) can you see in the picture? If you are not sure, can you guess? All Rights Reserved. RUBE GOLDBERG ® is a registered trademark of Rube Goldberg Inc. All materials used with permission. www.rubegoldberg.com

8. To which letters in the picture above do these verbs apply? Pull(s,-ing) Flip(s,-ing) Spill(s,-ing) Open(s,-ing) Cause(s,-ing) Allow(s,-ing) Wipe(s,-ing) All Rights Reserved. RUBE GOLDBERG ® is a registered trademark of Rube Goldberg Inc. All materials used with permission. www.rubegoldberg.com

9. Some language to describe the cause and effect of a process Before Prior to First, Second, Third, etc. Subsequently After Which + SP verb (causes/moves/flips, etc.) the What are some ways you could teach helpful vocabulary like this? Verb+ing (jerking, flipping, completing, etc.) the Then As a result, the Once Step Finally

10. Can you explain the cause and effect for each process? Use the illustration. Example: A B First, he brings the spoon to his mouth pulling the attached string. C D E F G H I J K L M N All Rights Reserved. RUBE GOLDBERG ® is a registered trademark of Rube Goldberg Inc. All materials used with permission. www.rubegoldberg.com

11. Raising the spoon to your mouth (A) pulls the string (B) thereby jerking the ladle (C) which throws the cracker (D) past the parrot (E). The parrot jumps after the cracker, and the perch (F) tilts, upsetting some seeds (G) into pail (H). The extra weight in pail pulls cord (I) which opens and the automatic cigar lighter (J) setting off skyrocket (K) which causes the sickle (L) to cut string (M) and allows the pendulum with attached napkin (N) to swing back and forth, thereby wiping off your chin. All Rights Reserved. RUBE GOLDBERG ® is a registered trademark of Rube Goldberg Inc. All materials used with permission. www.rubegoldberg.com

12. Describe a Process with a Rube Goldberg Machine You Can Try It! All Rights Reserved. RUBE GOLDBERG ® is a registered trademark of Rube Goldberg Inc. All materials used with permission. www.rubegoldberg.com

15. Some Examples from Students https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFWHbRApS3c

16. What Have We Explored? Rube Goldberg-United States History and Culture Rube Goldberg Machines-Imagination, Creativity, Engineering Process Describing a Process Working together in small groups Listening, Speaking, Reading A little American English slang Verbs Vocabulary