Invention Investigations!

Hi Friends!

I just got back from a weekend in Sedona, Arizona. We went hiking both days and had a blast. It's just so beautiful there!

                                                             
I wanted to share the Inventions unit we started last week. The lesson we completed Friday hit so many Common Core Standards!

After reading Meet Ben Franklin in our Treasures books, we discussed Ben's inventions and built our background about inventions. We read Now and Ben, a great book about how Ben's inventions are used today.
And Kids Inventions, another story in our Treasures book.

On Friday, I modeled how to make a poster about an invention and then gave each table group a problem card that kids can relate to. The groups had to create an invention that would solve the problem.

They all did a really good job! I was so proud!

After they created their posters, they presented their inventions to the class.

 This group created the Lid Tracker 1000. This device tracks down your lost marker lids and shows you a GPS map so you can find them. It beeps as you get closer.Only sold at Walmart and Fry's! They even created a boy, girl, unisex and adult version. So amazing!

 This group created the Security Box. The pencil box with a security camera. If a pencil is lost or stolen, the camera alerts the robot and he retrieves it!




These kiddos invented the Sand Slippers.These slippers can be worn at recess to keep sand out and then are easily removed once recess is over. This product is also available in two styles as well.





This next week, the students will be thinking about a problem they want to solve individually and then an invention they could create to solve the problem.  We will be building our prototypes and creating diagrams with labels as well. Once they are done with that we will be writing about how our invention works.Here's last year's post about our inventions if you're interested.

I'll keep you posted with more pics as we continue through this unit. If you are interested in trying this yourself, I have everything you would need!

I'll be back this week with some freebies for Read Across America! Have a Happy Monday!