1. Beautiful Bridges 1. Question & Research Task
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Beautiful Bridges 1. Question & Research Task
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Help! The Gingerbread Man has a problem. He has come to a river and must cross it.
You are part of a team of civil engineers. Engineers must make important decisions about bridges so that people and their cars, buses, and trucks can safely pass over them for many years.
Your mission is to learn about and construct a bridge so the Gingerbread Man can cross to safety.
For more about it, select the video on the right.
Image Source: Discovery Education

2. What are the different kinds of bridges?
2. Information Sources
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What are the different kinds of bridges?
Watch this BrainPop video on bridges. Use this graphic organizer to take notes.
2. Read this article about bridges from World Book Kids to get some background knowledge.
3. Use this PBS resource to learn more about different kinds of bridges: PBS Bridges
Image Source: BrainPop

3. 3. Student Activity
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How do landforms affect the structure of a bridge?
As you use the resources on Slide 2, you should think about the landforms civil engineers might come across during their jobs.
Watch the BrainPop Jr. video to review information about landforms.
You should be thinking about:
What are the characteristics of each landform?
Which type of bridge is needed to successfully cross the landform?
Use this graphic organizer to take notes.
Image Source: BrainPop Jr.

4. 4. Assessment Activity
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Now that you have completed your research, you will work with a team to create a prototype of a bridge.
Watch this video that explains the Engineering Design process.
For more information about Science and Engineering Methods, check out PebbleGo.
Then,
Decide on the landform you will be crossing with your bridge.
Use this planning sheet to guide the process.
Draw a diagram or design of your bridge.
Using a variety of materials, create your bridge.
Here is a rubric to determine how your bridge will be graded.
Examples of materials found in a MakerSpace.
Image Source: Pixabay

5. 5. Enrichment Activities
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If you are interested in learning more about bridges:
FYI about bridges from BrainPop
Check your school library or the public library for these books about bridges and engineering:
Bunting, Eve, and C F. Payne. Pop's Bridge. Orlando, Harcourt, 2006.
Johmann, Carol, et al. Bridges! : Amazing Structures to Design, Build & Test. Charlotte, Vt., Williamson, 1999.
Hurley, Michael. The World's Most Amazing Bridges. Chicago, Raintree, (An e-book).
An arched bridge
Image Source: PebbleGo
Try these fun activities about bridges and engineering:
Paper Bridge Challenge
PBS Kids Engineering Games
PBS Kids Engineering Activities

6. 6. Teacher Resources Next 1 2 3 4 5 6
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Learning Standards Alignment Maryland State Curriculum /Content Standards – Grade 2 Science
Standard 1: Skills and Processes
A. CONSTRUCTING KNOWLEDGE 1. Raise questions about the world around them and be willing to seek answers to some of them by making careful observations and trying things out.
D. TECHNOLOGY 1. Design and make things with simple tools and a variety of materials.
Common Core State Standards
Reading: 1. Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the text.
Writing: 7. Participate in shared research and writing projects (e.g., read a number of books on a single topic to produce a report; record science observations.
AASL Standards for the 21st Century Learner Follow the inquiry-based process in seeking knowledge in curricular subjects, and make real-world
connections for using this process in own life.
Use prior and background knowledge as context for new learning.
1.1.4 Find, evaluate, and select appropriate sources to answer questions.
1.1.6 Read, view, and listen for information presented in any format (e.g., textual, visual, media, digital) in order to make inferences and gather meaning.
2.1.3 Use strategies to draw conclusions from information and apply knowledge to curricular areas, real-world situations, and further Investigations.
3.1.1 Conclude an inquiry-based research process by sharing new understandings and reflecting on the learning.
P21 Framework: 21st Century Student Outcomes
CS.18  Take individual and collective action towards addressing environmental challenges (e.g., participating in global actions, designing solutions that inspire action on environmental issues)
LIS.02.a  Develop, implement and communicate new ideas to others effectively
LIS.09.c  Assume shared responsibility for collaborative work, and value the individual contributions made by each team member.
Information, Media & Technology Skills: Information Literacy: Access information efficiently (time) and effectively (sources); Use information accurately and creatively for the issue or problem at hand.
ICT Literacy: Use technology as a tool to research, organize, evaluate and communicate information.
Grade 2 Library Media: Unit 6
Objective: Students will be able to explain how civil engineers choose from different types of bridges in order construct a bridge for a particular landform.
Time Frame: minute periods
Differentiation strategies for this lesson:
Have students use learning supports provided in any BCPS-licensed Digital Content included in this lesson, such as audio read-aloud and labeled Reading Levels/ or Lexiles. Use Digital Content Snapshots & Support resources for support as needed.
Notes to the teacher:
For use in Library Media Center
Align with Grade 2 Science: Whack-a-Wall. Plan to utilize Make/Do Construction Kit in Elementary Maker Kits sent to schools.
Additional activities can be found at PBSKids.
Last updated: July Created by Jacqueline Schoen, LMS Report broken links to: Office of Digital Learning BCPS Slam Dunk Research Model, Copyright 2017, Baltimore County Public Schools, MD, all rights reserved. This lesson may be used for educational, non-profit school use only. All other uses, transmissions, and duplications are prohibited unless permission is granted expressly. This lesson is based on Dr. Jamie McKenzie’s Slam Dunk Digital Lesson model.