Today the kids competed in a challenge to create something to carry water using only the resources they were given. Each group was given different resources and had to use only those resources to create something that could carry water from the sink to a tub across the room. The kids found this activity fun and challenging. This is a kick off for our Native American unit which emphasizes that where you live affects how you live. A large emphasis of this unit is that different regions of North America had different environments and resources available. The Native Americans that lived in these different regions had to use the resources around them to survive. We had a great discussion about how we were all meeting the same need of moving water, but the vessels we built had similarities and differences because the resources we were working with were different. This activity also gave students a great opportunity to collaborate, design, problem solve, think creatively and flexibly, give each other feedback, and persevere when initial plans didn't go as expected. They all did a great job!
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| Resource: Aluminum Foil |
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| Resources: Wax paper and tape |
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| Resource: Clay |
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| Resource: 1 roll of tape |
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| Resources: Plastic, paper, and tape |
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| Resources: Plastic tablecloth and tape |
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| Finished water carrying vessels |
