Bridge Unit (Apr)

Explore:

Why—why did bridges become? 

How—did bridges become?

Who—led/leads the way in bridge building (of various types)?

What—are the elements of a bridge?

Explore:

Beams—simple pedestrian bridges + the strengths + weaknesses of beam options. 

Engineering—types of Engineers and How to Engineer.

And measure tension and compression in various materials.

Explore Structure in reading and writing. 

Explore:

Arches—metaphorical: two weaknesses coming together in synergy.

Gravity—the force of gravity + its relationship with arches (compression).

Material—the matter with which we build—noticing details, characteristics, strengths + weaknesses. 

Explore: 

Truss—geometrical teamwork, compare/contrast arch, test.

Frames—The Floor of Your Room: explore, measure and calculate dead and live loads, area. Explore also the arc/frame in reading and writing. 

Sketch, plan, predict, hypothesize + build steel frames out of paper.

Explore:

Foundation—the importance of foundations, literally + metaphorically. Characters as foundation in story, character webs. 

Adaptability—the importance of/need for adaptability in growth.

Details—the value of detail, precision. 

Explore:

Interdependence—Cantilever bridge, strength in collaboration + balance (extend to reading + writing.

Disaster + Decay—explore various examples + experiments throughout the day. 

Maintenance—nurture + protect. 

Explore:

Ropes—connectors, suspension, tension, compression.

http://www.curiositythrilz.com/blog/bridge-the-gap

Explore:

Compare/Contrast Suspension + Cable Stayed in Venn Diagram

Blueprint + Build, Continue Projects

Explore:

Physics of tension/compression in triangles/polygons. 

Metaphorical effects of tension/compression in reading/writing/communication.

Character webs as element of story structure.

Continue projects.

Explore:

Shapes + their strength by sketching + building.

Fear + freedom in strength/connection in conjunction with Bridge to Terabithia reading. 

Continue on project. 

Explore: 

The strength of the hypar with blueprints, measurements, hypotheses + builds. 

Grief + stories/memories as bridges to other realms of time + imagination with Bridge to Terabithia. 

Continue on Projects.

Explore:

Cost, weight, coverage, available materials + alternative supports.

Shelter from the storm, literal + metaphorical. 

Continue on projects. 

Explore:

Bridges to the future + need for evolution + innovation. 

Publish/Polish/Dry runs with friends. 

Share our treasures together throughout the periods of the day.

Submit to our Field Guide/Scrapbook.

Finish up presentations.

Scrapbook/Field Guide (vocab, labels, sketches, photos)

Outro/Looking Ahead.