CONVERSEMOS:
¿Por qué crees que los árboles no se caen cuando sopla el viento pero las sombrillas sí?
Para poder averiguarlo, vamos a imaginar que somos árboles moviéndose con el viento. A lo mejor eso nos dará ideas. Ve a la siguiente página para empezar.
CONVERSEMOS:
¿Qué ideas te dan los árboles para el diseño de una sombrilla que no se caiga cuando sopla el viento?
In this lesson, students examine structures like roots, branches, and leaves that keep trees from blowing down. In the activity, Wind-Proof Umbrella, they use their observations to create their own tree-inspired umbrellas that stay up in the wind.
Preview activityUmbrella Top printout | 2 per student |
Umbrella Top Inspiration worksheet | 1 per group |
Scissors
|
1 pair per student |
Dixie Cups (3 oz)
|
1 cup per student |
Dot Stickers
We prefer stickers because they are easier to distribute in a classroom.
Tape also works.
|
Details
6 stickers per student
|
Pipe Cleaners
|
2 pipe cleaners per student |
Plastic Straws (Bendable)
|
2 straws per student |
Playdough
|
2 ounces per student |
Poster Board (28" x 22")
|
1 sheet per class |
Each student will create their own wind-proof umbrella, but will need a partner to help with a few steps.
To make your own playdough, slowly add 2½ cups water to a mixture of 5 cups of flour and 1¼ cups of salt. Stir, then knead the dough. If it’s too sticky, add more flour.
We've provided Umbrella Top Inspiration sheets to help students who get frustrated when they try to improve their umbrellas. We suggest you let students try on their own, providing Inspiration Sheets only to those who need help.
Student slideshow: English | Spanish
Teacher printout: English & Spanish
After you complete the lesson and activity, try this extension.
This video read-aloud of The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires is the story of a girl struggling to create a truly “magnificent thing.” Students will enjoy the surprise at the end of the book and will learn about the process of engineering design along the way.
This set of wind activities make a great literature connection to Curious George Flies a Kite by H. A. Rey and Margret Rey. A read-aloud of the book is available in two parts from YouTube: Part 1, Part 2.
After you complete the lesson and activity, try this extension.
Two activities to get your students thinking about wind.
Paper Bag Kite: In this activity, students create simple paper bag kites, then experiment to find out how different features affect how the kites fly.
Fly a Leaf: In this activity, students experiment to find out which leaf shapes catch the most wind. Great for a windy day!
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