Building stuff

Hello,

If your child isn't having fun learning about simple machines and building stuff then I don't think I can interest them in school.  It is my favorite unit and it is only going to get better.  Today they were challenged to create a vehicle and an inclined plane where the vehicle would go as far as possible.  We will finish up and tweak these creations tomorrow morning. 

There was a little more talk about our upcoming invention fair.  I don't like the name, "Invention Fair" for what we are doing.  I'm not even using the word invention in class during this unit.  We are learning about simple machines: what they are, how they work and how they can be put together.  Everyone will be making a machine that uses all six simple machines.  My hope is that we can then connect some of these machines together.  The creations will show off our knowledge of simple machines.  We should be able to explain them using words like inertia, gravity, friction and acceleration in a proper way.  I'm not worried about whether or not the creations do anything useful or can be sold in stores.

Parents will be invited in to see what we have accomplished, but this is being done very differently than the other four classes that have already finished the unit this year.  I'm hoping that noone has a stand alone project.  I want them to have the challenge of connecting their creation with another.  We'll see how that goes.

I've got to run.  Have a good night.

Mr. Shea