Resource Outline

 

This resource has been designed to assist teachers with students' learning about materials and how certain materials are better suited for different design solutions. The digital storybook based on the tale of the three little pigs will enable you to promote critical and creative thinking with students examining and analysing the materials of straw, sticks and bricks. The story guides students to think about the properties of these materials and how they are suited for the purpose of building a house. Throughout they are posed questions which will allow them to critically think about the materials properties and how well suited they are for building. By implementing this resource, you are able to create an authentic and engaging learning experience which promotes learning of design and technology.   

 

The resource also provides a platform in which students are able to demonstrate their understanding of the concepts through the creation of their own house. This may allow you to create an assessment task in which students can design, create and justify a design solution for the task of building their own house.

 

You can access this resource via the link: https://www.storyjumper.com/book/index/27392218/The-Three-Little-PigsIt-s-Building-Day-nbsp-# 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Curriculum- Prep

Technologies- Design and technology

 

By implementing and engaging students with this resource, you are able to address the following curriculum elements:

 

Process and skills

• Use materials, components, tools, equipment and techniques to safely make designed solutions (ACTDEP007)

 

Knowledge and Understanding

• Explore the characteristics and properties of materials and components that are used to produce designed solutions(ACTDEK004)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cross Curriculum Priorities

This aspect of the curriculum aims to engage students in learning that will further their understanding of the world around them, giving them the tools, language and abilities to successfully engage within our modern society. This resource address cross-curriculum priorities through: 

 

Sustainability - It is by investigating materials and their appropriateness to build a house, that this resource allows students to consider sustainability, critically analysing materials to determine more sustainable ways of living.  

 

Key Ideas- Design Thinking 

It is through engaging with is resource, developing understandings about materials, properties and appropriateness for design solutions that students are able to enhance their knowledge of the technologies key idea design thinking. This underpinning aspect involves the use of strategies for understanding design needs and opportunities, visualising and generating creative and innovative ideas, planning, and analysing and evaluating those ideas that best meet the criteria for success (ACARA, 2016).

 

 

 

Teacher notes

The resource has been designed with the intention of it being implemented as a whole class approach. As it is targeted at a prep context the reading abilities and skills of learners will vary, therefore making it inappropriate for independent use, with the possibility of students not effectively gaining the required information. It is by engaging with the resource as a class that you can consistently check for understanding, initiate discussion with students and ensure all learners can access the information it entails.      

 

Previous understandings

• In order to effectively implement this resource and with the possibility for assessment it would be recommended that students have previous understandings of different materials and be able to identify and describe their properties.

• The resource has been designed as a means to clarify and enhance student’s understandings of the content descriptor, “Explore the characteristics and properties of materials and components that are used to produce designed solutions” and will allow students to demonstrate their knowledge surrounding this concept.

 

 

Implementation of resource

 

When implementing this resource with a foundation class it is recommended that you:

• Firstly examine the book, prompting students to form a hypothesis on what it is about. Accept all responses from the class encouraging students to contribute their ideas and take risks. 

• Read the book through fully first, allowing the class to gain an understanding of the text and the questions that it asks. 

• Re- read the text, although this time engaging in discussion around the questions giving students the opportunity to critically analyse the materials and their properties, having them justify their responses by asking them to explain .    

• To engage all learning types and abilities in the learning experience it may be useful to have examples of the different materials in which they can handle and examine.

• Also, provide visual/ written prompts to assist students thinking and allow all ability learners to participate and engage in discussion. (e.g. Y- chart, discussion prompts)