Kara Polega

EDI 685
Lesson Plan 1
Exploration with Measuring Tools and Rockets
Age Group: Multi-age students from Kindergarten - Fifth Grade.
Learning Objectives:
Students will design two rockets from different types of paper to fly.
Students will predict what rocket will fly the farthest distance from the
starting point.
Students will use a tape measure to measure the distance flown and record that number.
Students will order numbers and determine which rocket flew the farthest.
Materials:
Drinking straws in two different sizes (smoothie straws and flexible drinking straws). You will
need 2 large straws and 1 smaller straw per student.
Tape
Copy paper
Card stock
Rocket template from buggyandbuddy.com
Tape measure
Chart paper and markers
Lesson Preparation
Print the rocket template from the website buggyandbuddy.com so that each child will have
one rocket from regular copy paper and one rocket from card stock.
Cut the larger smoothie straws to fit the length of the rocket. Each child will need two
smoothie straws.
Seal one end of the smoothie straw with tape.
If using the flexible drinking straws, cut off the bending section so that the straw will be one
straight line.
Introduction
Teacher will hold up a measuring tape, and ask the students to identify what it is.
Discuss the name of it and ask students to share experiences they have with using the
measuring tape.
The teacher will then pull out the measuring tape with the numbers facing her and away from
the students. The teacher will ask the students to tell her to stop pulling out the tape when they
think that she has reached her height on the tape.
The teacher will then model how to use the measuring tape to check the students estimate.

Activity
Students will work in pairs or small groups to measure themselves. They will each take a turn
to lay down on the floor while the others in the group measure their height with the measuring
tape. Teacher will assist as needed.
Students will record their heights on chart paper in the classroom.
Once all the heights have been recorded, the group will arrange the numbers from smallest to
biggest.
After students have been measured, they can begin coloring their rockets and putting them
together. Teacher will assist students in taping the straws to their rockets as needed.
Teacher will hand students the prediction and data collection sheet. Teacher will remind
students about experiments earlier in the week. Which balls rolled the farthestheavy or
lighter balls? Students will make a prediction about which of their rockets will fly the farthest
and why they think that it will go the farthest.
Students will then fly each rocket, measure the distance with the tape measure, and then record
the distance on the prediction and data collection sheet. Students will also determine which
rocket flew the farthest on their data sheet.
All the distances will be recorded on chart paper in class. As a group, the class will arrange the
measurements in order from smallest to greatest.
Closing
Ask the group, Which rockets went the farthest? Why do you think that?
What do you think you could do to make your rocket go further?
Assessment
Teacher will observe the student during the activity. Did the student create two different
rockets with the two different materials? Was the student able to assemble the rocket with
assistance if needed?
Teacher will review the prediction and data collection sheet. Did the student make a prediction
and give a reason behind that prediction? Was the student able to record a number
measurement on the paper? Was the student able to determine which rocket flew the farthest?
Teacher will observe student measuring the distance for the rocket. Was the student able to
accurately use the measuring tape and identify where on the measuring tape the measurement
should be taken?

Prediction and Data Collection Sheet

1. Which rocket do you think will fly the farthest? Please circle one

Heavy Card Stock

Light Regular Paper

Why do you think that rocket will go the farthest?

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

2. How far did each rocket fly? Circle the one that went the farthest.

Heavy Card Stock________

Light Regular Paper __________

Prediction and Data Collection Sheet

1. Which rocket do you think will fly the farthest? Please circle one

Heavy Card Stock

Light Regular Paper

Why do you think that rocket will go the farthest?

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

2. How far did each rocket fly? Circle the one that went the farthest.

Heavy Card Stock________

Light Regular Paper __________