Jack and the Beanstalk

Summary:

Through a study of the children's book Jack and the Beanstalk, students will review the concepts of the literary elements: voice, character, setting and plot. They will research using the internet information about vehicles with the intent of learning about the different modes of transportation. They will create a design of their vehicle they will use to transport the egg down the beanstalk using the Paint Application. Next, they will write a paragraph relating to the design of the vehicle and how they prepared it. Finally, they will use materials to help create their design.

Implementation:

Students have already learned Word basics, Paint basics, and used a variety of websites. They have also been introduced to the various elements of literature. This lesson is fun, middle of the year activity in which they will review these concepts.

Procedure:

Anticipatory Set: Teacher will read aloud the children's book Jack and the Beanstalk.
Input: Class will discuss the elements of literature: Voice, Character, Setting, and Plot. Teacher will discuss the idea of helping Jack make it down the beanstalk without breaking the golden egg.

Activities:

1. Students will create a "design of their vehicle" using the Paint application
2. Students will research "vehicles" using the website (Kid Rex.org)
3. Students will create an vehicle using materials available in classroom.
4. Students will open a Word document and write a paragraph describing the design of
vehicle and how it will help transport the egg down the Beanstalk.

IB Connections:

2nd Grade – The central idea of second grade’s unit is that differences in regions impact our culture. As second grade begins to culminate their unit this activity will be used to assess students understanding of the impact their culture has on who they have become. I am hoping students will use the knowledge gained on their families’ background in their research and how they will help Jack for a greater display of their cultural impact. Students will be using research skills to communicate their design and I also hope they will show an appreciation for their culture through their vehicle and some creativity with their design.
3rd Grade – The central idea of third grade’s unit is that the function of systems is influenced by individual perspectives. This unit starts with a focus on responsibilities. I hope students discover who they are and their responsibility in our community. As students inquire about how they fit into our system they will add some of this knowledge to their design and paragraph about how they helped Jack succeed. Students will use communication skills and creativity to create their design and paragraph.

The final project:

Students will create their design using the classroom computers and I will take a picture of their design for display along with their story. I will use the white board to show the Jack and the Beanstalk video as well as modeling the lesson for them.