Rocket Inquiry!

Mini-Lesson on How to Construct a Rocket with 3D Figures.

How it all began: 

In Science, Mr. Berberick was starting to generate ideas around environmental activism with the following statement.

“In Science, we are learning about how to care for our Planet.”

During our Guided discussions, some of the learners were sharing their ideas about how to do this. JZ shared the ides of going to Outer Space to feed the Planet Earth and to give it water. We then stared to talk about how the Planet Earth does not have a mouth or a stomach, so we were not able to do this.

As we were having this discussion, LK kept on say, “I have a problem Mr. Berberick!” When I asked him what the problem was he said…

LK’s Problem: “We don’t have rocket ships on Earth.”

Then another learner said that he could solve LK’s Problem. I kept on trying to bring the learning back to where I was hoping that we were heading… but with little luck. So Rockets it is!

LL’s Solution: “We can build a Rocket Ship!”

Process:

Connecting to the Curriculum:

Ontario Full-Day Early Learning- Kindergarten Program

 Science: Overall Expectation 2

conduct simple investigations through free exploration, focused exploration, and guided activity, using inquiry skills (questioning, planning, predicting, observing, communicating)

Our Rocket Inquiry Plan:

Over the next while we plan to unpack the Rocket Inquiry with the following lens...

Questioning	Action:   How can we build a rocket ship? Rocket Stomper Video	Learner: Working with a partner draw diagram. Assist with labeling their diagram.	Assessment: Check-In for Understanding Materials: Paper, writing materials & books on rockets.
Planning	Action: Using a rocket experiment, co-plan with learners what steps need to be in place.	Learner: Co-create the steps to make the rockets. Educator: Scribe the steps.	Assessment: Check-In for Understanding Materials: Marker, chart paper, rocket materials
Predicting	Action: What rockets will fly furthest?	Learner: Predict which rocket will fly the furthest. Educator: Record predictions	Assessment: Documenting Predictions Materials: Chart paper and markers.
Observing	Action: Complete experiment and record observation	Learner: Learners shoot the rockets and record the results. Educator: Assist with the experiment and the recording of results.	Assessment: Documenting the results of the experiment Materials: Rockets, Rocket Stomper, Clip Board, camera, pylons, paper, pens
Communicating	Action: Co-Create Graph using results & draw the experiment.	Learner: Share finding on Graph and experiment diagram Educator: Co-create the Findings graph and assist with labeling of diagrams	Assessment: Students Respond to Question: “Did things turn out the way you thought they would? Why? Were there any surprises?”* Materials: iPad for recording of observations

* This question is taken from the Ontario Full-Day Early Learning- Kindergarten Program Science Specific Expectation: 2.4 communicate results and findings from individual and group investigations (e.g., explain and/or show how they made their structure; state simple conclusions from an experiment; record ideas using pictures, numbers, labels)

The learners are developing vocabulary to help us when we create/refer to the parts of a rocket.

 

 

 

We recently co-created a list of materials that we will need to construct our rockets.

Reflection:

 

Listen, listen, listen… It seems like an obvious reminder but we often get caught up in where we think we are going to leave space for the learners to tell us where we are going.

The “Rocket Researchers” are really excited about working together to gain an understanding of how rockets work and how we can create the most efficient model! It has been exciting to be part of the conversations and creations that have come from the rocket inquiry thus far.  

Keep on reading!  :)

Next Post:

Math- Data Management: Collecting, sorting and organizing information.