Engineering Lesson

Today we taught an engineering lesson at Brigham using the standard: 

K-2-ETS1-1. Ask questions, make observations, and gather information about a situation people want to change to define a simple problem that can be solved through the development of a new or improved object or tool.

We decided our simple problem would be crossing a river or body of water with a car.  We prompted the students to building a bridge and read a book about bridges. We then made bridges out of different materials and talked about what types of materials worked best. Then the students drew their own bridges and last we had them individually make their own bridges. We used the theory of the zone of proximal development to influence our lesson. We met students where we were at and related the topic to student’s experience so that they were able to take their own ideas and thoughts and apply it to new information. We challenged the students and helped them design their own structures off of experience. My goal was to work with diverse students to gain experience especially working with ELL students. We worked with students who are in an ELL classroom but these students were fluent in English so I did not work as much towards the ELL aspect of my goal. Its especially hard not knowing the students we are going to be teaching so we can’t fully engage the students because we don't know the student’s interests or academic levels. This semester has definitely helped me be quicker on my feet. This class also really helped me work on my classroom management because I had to have control with these students especially since I didn't know the students. It is still hard to plan for student’s you don't know and I don't think that will ever be any easier. I found a quote by Dr. Kevin Maxwell that says, “Our job is to teach the students we have. Not the ones we would like to have. Not the ones we used to have. Those we have right now. All of them.” I find this quote inspiring especially for this class because despite how frustrating it can be to plan lessons for students you don't really spend time with, you still have to try and do your best because these kids deserve that kind of education. This whole experience has taught me that even if I was not always comfortable with the students and the lessons that the students still deserve to learn and have an awesome learning experience. This class taught me to learn how to teach on my feet and I think this is the best lesson I have learned so far and will help me and continue to develop in the future. Below I have included pictures of the student’s work on their bridges. I also took video during the lesson of the students working on their bridges and testing them in the building process. I also have pictures of the students drawings of their bridges as well.