Lesson Plan
Crow's Thirsty Challenge
Students will be able to apply the engineering design process to design, build, and test a device that raises the water level in a container, inspired by 'The Clever Crow' fable.
Understanding the engineering design process helps students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which are essential for tackling challenges in school and real life. This lesson encourages creative solutions and teamwork.
Audience
3rd Grade
Time
60 minutes
Approach
Inquiry-based learning, hands-on activity, group collaboration.
Materials
Crow's Thirsty Challenge Slide Deck, The Clever Crow Reading, Engineering Design Process Worksheet, Various materials for building (e.g., small rocks, marbles, LEGOs, blocks, play-doh, measuring cups, small containers, plastic spoons, etc.), Clear containers (e.g., plastic bottles, beakers), Water, Small floating object (e.g., toy crow, cork), and Challenge Rubric
Prep
Prepare Materials
15 minutes
- Review the Crow's Thirsty Challenge Slide Deck and The Clever Crow Reading.
- Print copies of the Engineering Design Process Worksheet.
- Gather building materials: small rocks, marbles, LEGOs, blocks, play-doh, measuring cups, small containers, plastic spoons, etc.
- Prepare clear containers with water and a small floating object for each group.
- Ensure access to water for refills.
- Review the Challenge Rubric for assessment.
Step 1
Introduction & The Clever Crow
10 minutes
- Begin with the Crow's Thirsty Challenge Warm-Up.
- Present the Crow's Thirsty Challenge Slide Deck (Slides 1-3).
- Read aloud The Clever Crow Reading or have students read it independently/in pairs.
- Discuss the fable: "What was the crow's problem? How did the crow solve it? What materials did the crow use?"
Step 2
Introduce the Engineering Challenge
10 minutes
- Present the challenge using the Crow's Thirsty Challenge Slide Deck (Slides 4-5): "You are engineers! Your challenge is to design and build a device using the provided materials to raise the water level in a container so a floating object can be reached, just like the clever crow!"
- Introduce the Engineering Design Process Worksheet and briefly explain each step (Ask, Imagine, Plan, Create, Improve).
Step 3
Design & Plan
15 minutes
- Divide students into small groups (3-4 students).
- Distribute materials, containers with water, floating objects, and the Engineering Design Process Worksheet to each group.
- Guide students through the 'Ask,' 'Imagine,' and 'Plan' sections of the worksheet. Encourage brainstorming and sketching their designs.
Step 4
Create & Test
15 minutes
- Students execute their plans and build their devices. Circulate to provide support and ask guiding questions.
- Once built, students test their devices. Does it raise the water level? Does the floating object become reachable? Encourage them to record their observations on the worksheet.
Step 5
Improve & Share
10 minutes
- Based on their testing, students discuss how to 'Improve' their designs within their groups and make modifications.
- Have each group briefly share their design, what worked well, and what they would improve with the class.
- Conclude with the Crow's Thirsty Challenge Cool-Down.
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Slide Deck
Welcome, Engineers!
Today, we're going to be inventors and problem-solvers!
Welcome students and introduce the day's engineering challenge. Get them excited about solving a problem inspired by a story.
The Clever Crow
Remember the story of the thirsty crow and the pitcher of water? How did the crow solve its problem?
Introduce the fable. You can read it aloud or have students read independently.
Crow's Ingenuity
The crow couldn't reach the water.
What did it do? What materials did it use?
Prompt students to think about the crow's strategy.
Engineering Design Process
Engineers follow special steps to solve problems:
- Ask: What is the problem?
- Imagine: Brainstorm solutions.
- Plan: Draw and label your best idea.
- Create: Build your solution.
- Improve: Make it even better!
Introduce the engineering design process steps.
Your Challenge: Thirsty Crow 2.0!
Design and build a device to raise the water level so our 'crow' can drink!
Materials you can use: rocks, marbles, LEGOs, blocks, play-doh, cups, spoons, etc.
Clearly state the challenge. Show the materials available.
Work Together, Build Smarter!
Work in your groups.
Use your Engineering Design Process Worksheet to guide you.
Ready, Set, Engineer!
Explain the group work and what they need to complete.
Warm Up
Warm-Up: A Crow's Dilemma!
Think about a time you really wanted something, but it was just out of reach. What did you do to try and get it?
Share your idea with a partner!
Reading
The Clever Crow
Once upon a time, in a dry, hot land, there lived a very thirsty crow. The sun beat down, and all the streams and puddles had dried up. The poor crow flew for a long, long time, searching desperately for water.
Finally, his sharp eyes spotted something! Below, in a garden, there was a tall, narrow pitcher. And inside the pitcher, he could see a little bit of water! "Hooray!" he cawed, flapping his wings with excitement.
He swooped down and landed on the rim of the pitcher. He dipped his beak, but alas, the water was too low. No matter how much he stretched and strained, he couldn't reach a single drop. He tried to tip the pitcher over, but it was too heavy.
The crow felt disheartened, but he was a clever bird. He didn't give up! He looked around, thinking hard. He noticed many small pebbles scattered on the ground nearby.
An idea sparked in his mind! One by one, he picked up the pebbles in his beak and dropped them into the pitcher. Plink! Plonk! Each tiny stone made a splash. Slowly, very slowly, the water level began to rise.
He kept dropping stones, pebble after pebble, until, at last, the water reached the top! The clever crow took a long, satisfying drink. His thirst was quenched, all because he used his brain to solve a difficult problem.
The End.
Worksheet
Engineering Design Process: The Thirsty Crow Challenge
Team Members:
1. Ask: What is the problem?
- What is our goal in this challenge?
2. Imagine: Brainstorm Solutions
- What are some different ways we could raise the water level? (Draw or write your ideas.)
3. Plan: Draw Your Design
- Choose your best idea! Draw a picture of your device. Label the parts and explain how it will work.
4. Create: Build & Test
- Build your device! Then, test it. What happened?
- Did the water level rise enough? Yes / No
5. Improve: Make It Better!
- What worked well? What could be better? How can you change your design to make it work even better?
- What would you do differently next time?
Rubric
Crow's Thirsty Challenge Rubric
| Criteria | Beginning (1 point) | Developing (2 points) | Accomplished (3 points) | Exceeding (4 points) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Problem Solving | Little to no attempt to solve the problem. | Attempts to solve the problem, but with limited success. | Successfully designs and builds a device that raises the water level. | Innovatively designs and builds an efficient device that clearly solves the problem. |
| Teamwork | Does not participate or disrupts group. | Participates somewhat, but needs prompting. | Actively participates and contributes to group efforts. | Leads and collaborates effectively, encouraging all team members. |
| Design & Plan | No clear plan or drawing. | Plan is present but lacks detail or clarity. | Plan is clear, includes some details, and guides construction. | Detailed and thoughtful plan that clearly informs the construction and shows creativity. |
| Testing & Improve | Does not test or reflect on results. | Tests but struggles to identify improvements. | Tests and suggests reasonable improvements to the design. | Thoroughly tests, identifies effective improvements, and applies them to refine the design. |
| Presentation | Shares minimal information or is off-topic. | Shares some information but lacks clarity. | Clearly explains their design and what they learned. | Engages the audience with a clear, concise, and insightful explanation of their process and learning. |
Cool Down
Cool-Down: Engineer's Reflection
- What was the most challenging part of this engineering activity?
- If you had more time, what is ONE thing you would change or improve about your team's design?