K誰ex Lesson:

Wind and Windmills

 

JoAnna Rencher
Shannon Doles
ITDPT 364 Section 5

Grade Level: 4th or 5th

Objectives:

  1. After the activity, the student will learn that wind makes objects move.
  2. After the discussion, the student will learn that wind has kinetic energy.
  3. After the discussion, the student will learn that the kinetic energy from the wind is transferred to an object, causing it to move.

Materials: Assorted K誰ex pieces and Electric fans

Motivation: Ask the students to list as many things as they can that are built to use kinetic energy from the wind. Some of these things include kites, sailboats, gliders, pinwheels, and windmills. Have the students discuss what it is they know about windmills.

Procedure:

  1. Provide the students the opportunity to work alone or in pairs.
  2. Make many assorted pieces of K地ex available to the children.
  3. Tell the children that they are to construct a windmill with the K地ex pieces. The windmill must have "blades" that move when the fan is blown on it.
  4. Allow the children at least 30 minutes to design and build their windmill.
  5. After 30 minutes, have each student/pair test their windmill by placing it in front of the fan.
  6. After all groups have gone, discuss with the class why the windmill works. Talk about kinetic energy and how the wind transfers that energy to object so it can move.

Closure: Take pictures of the windmills the students have created. Display the pictures on a bulletin board with a description of what the children created.

Assessment: Did your windmill spin? Did you use the K誰ex pieces to build your windmill?

Evaluation: The students will receive feedback from peers and the teachers when testing the windmill. All students will receive credit if they did the activity. A quiz may be given over the discussion of kinetic energy.