Learning Target:
91222 – Develop possible solutions to an engineering problem…

Homework:
Finalize theme and get theme contract signed

This week in Class:
Students will begin constructing their boats this week.  Remember, all students should bring duct tape for construction and make sure your name is on the inside of the roll.  Duct tape should only be outside of the students’ lockers when building the boats in science class.  I am not responsible for lost, stolen, or confiscated duct tape.

Students should recognize various “unofficial” due dates for their construction
Day 1 – all pieces are laid out on the cardboard
Day 2 – All pieces are cut out (theme contract signed/finalized – race day determined)
Day 4 – Boat is “complete”
Day 5 – Boat is structurally sound and “finished”
Day 6 – Boat is decorated and ready to race.

ATTENTION – IF BOAT CONSTRUCTION IS DISRUPTED DUE TO A SCHOOL CANCELLATION, STUDENTS WILL NOT BE GIVEN ANY MORE TIME TO BUILD THEIR BOATS.  

2011-2012 Learning Targets

There are a lot of important announcements relative to wrapping up the boat project, please read them in their entirety!

Individual packets must be finished before participating in the group design/building process

It is hard to believe but several students still have not completed their individual packet.  I have no problem preventing students from participating or watching the races if their individual packet is not completed.  This project is a process and, despite what students think, the academic part (individual packet) is the most important and must be completed prior to the “fun” part.

Boat building starts on Monday! – student groups are not allowed to begin building until their group packet is complete, this includes an approved theme!

• Each student should plan to bring at least two rolls of duct tape (labeled with the student’s name on the inside of the roll)
• Students bring tape at their own risk, it should be located in their locker until needed during science.  I am not responsible for lost or stolen tape.
• Please help us review utility knife safety with your child.  Students have been taught the safe and proper use of the utility knives and unsafe practices will not be tolerated.
• All aspects of the theme (music, decorations, costumes, etc…) need to be school appropriate.  Inappropriate themes will not be allowed to participate in the races.

Boat Races are scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday (March 6th and 7th)

All parents, siblings, etc…are invited to attend the boat races and participate in this fun event for our students.  Don’t listen to your student if they try to convince you otherwise!  Many parents come and watch and they don’t even have to admit your presence.  If you are willing and able to come and watch, please let your child know or let me know so that I can ensure that your student will race on the day you are available.  I will try to make sure that all requests are accommodated but I can’t make any guarantees.  I know that some of you already informed me of when you can come, please remind me!

2011-2012 Learning Targets

Learning Target:
91213, 91222 – Design a boat made entirely out of cardboard and duct tape

DO NOW:
Get your packets graded so you can move on to the group design

Homework:
Get your duct tape – talk with your group about theme ideas….

This week in Class:
Students who have completed their individual portion of the packet are able to move on to the group process. Some students will have to finish up their packets before joining their group. All points earned at this point in time will be final.
The group design is the exact same as the individual process except now we are trying to design a boat that meets the needs of the project criteria and the group.

By the end of the week, students need to have completed the Group Packet (including a teacher-approved theme). This needs to be completed before building begins on the 27th!

Students will be made aware of the Boat Construction Announcements and Race Info at some point throughout the week.

Remember, ALL parents, siblings, etc…are invited to watch the races on Tuesday March 6th and Wednesday March 7th. If you need to take off work to come and watch and want to ensure that your child will race that day, please let me know so that I can schedule accordingly. Race days for student groups will be finalized next week.

2011-2012 Learning Targets

Students seem to have gotten the message lately of “putting forth the effort” and have made a lot of progress towards completing the academic portion of this project.  Nevertheless, quite a few students are still “behind”, that is to say they haven’t met our deadlines.  That being said , if students come to class on Tuesday with their entire packet done, they will not experience any significant consequence.  That being said, if the boat packet is not done by Tuesday, their ability to assist their group in the design of the boat will be compromised.

We will begin construction of the boats on February 27th.  Each students needs approximately 2 rolls of Duct Tape during the construction phase.  Students should keep this tape in their lockers at all times when not in use and should be labeled with the student’s name on the INSIDE of the roll.

2011-2012 Learning Targets

2011-2012 Learning Targets