There is always a wide variety of students in classrooms. One of the jobs that a teacher has is to assess the students and how they learn the best. For some reading and lecture is what works for them. While some of the other students may need to do more hands on activities for the curriculum to make sense. That is why doing projects within your classroom can be a great tool to help those students who need more interaction. It also allows everyone in the class to have a change of pace and be a little more creative. Here are a few projects that can be done with your class that will have them engaged.
Solar System Project
It is usually part of the curriculum for fifth graders to learn about the solar system. This is a great opportunity to assign a solar system project for them to create a model for themselves. There are a lot of different methods that could be used in order to create their solar system. Some may choose to do a 3D model while others put theirs onto paper. Regardless it is a way for them to get what they have learned in the classroom into another form.
Test Eggshell Strength
When we think of eggs we think of them as fragile and be sure not to crack them. But they have more strength than they are credited for. If you can carefully break them in half and put them facing down so the arch of the egg is up you can test its strength. This can be done by placing magazines on top of the two halves till they collapse. This can be tied to teaching about architecture and why arches are used frequently.
Solar Oven
Students can learn the impotence of solar energy by creating their own solar ovens. Showing how things can be cooked without electricity can start other conversations about other sources of energy. They can cook an item such as marshmallows in their solar oven just outside of the classroom. This is a creative project to do in the spring when the weather is pleasant but the sun is present enough to create solar energy.
Exploding Soda
A classic but very simple project that never seems to get old with students is diet soda and mentos. This is a way to get kids excited, moving, and outside. The excitement alone is a great way to get your students to interact and work together to coordinate the explosions of their sodas. This could be related back to geysers if wanted.
Which One Will You Try?
Children are always looking for things to do. Things that grab their attention and allow them to be creative. Projects are a great way to change things up in the classroom. Whether it’s a solar system project, eggshell strength, creating a solar oven, or watching soda explode. Any way for students to have a creative outlet and help those that need more hands on activities to learn.
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