Leprechaun Trap Challenge (STEM): St. Patrick's Day

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Leprechaun Trap Challenge (STEM) Instructions: Build a trap to catch a leprechaun using everyday materials. Follow the design process below! Objective: Encourage creativity, engineering skills, and problem-solving by designing a functional trap that could catch a mischievous leprechaun. Planning Sheet: Materials List: What will you use? (e.g., paper, string, tape, cardboard, LEGOs, pipe cleaners, cups, paper towel rolls, craft sticks, aluminum foil, etc.) Sketch Your Design: Draw how your trap will work, labeling key parts and mechanisms. Trap Mechanism: How will your trap trigger when the leprechaun enters? Will it use a pulley, lever, or hidden entrance? Will you include bait like gold coins, glitter, or candy? Building Phase: Work on assembling your trap using the selected materials. Testing & Improvements: Try triggering the trap multiple times. Identify any weaknesses and refine the design. Reflection Questions: What was the most challenging part of building the trap? What ...
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Some Typical 4th Grade Student Issues

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Fourth grade is an important year for students as they are transitioning from early elementary school to upper elementary. During this time, there may be a variety of issues that can arise with fourth-grade students. Here are some common issues and suggestions for addressing them:

Difficulty with organization: Fourth graders may struggle with keeping track of their belongings and assignments. To help them, provide clear instructions and expectations for organization, such as keeping a planner or using folders for different subjects. Check in with students regularly to make sure they are staying on track.


Social issues: Fourth-grade students may also experience social issues such as cliques or bullying. Encourage students to be kind to one another and create a safe and inclusive classroom environment. If you observe any bullying or negative behavior, address it immediately and involve parents if necessary.

Attention span: Some fourth graders may struggle with focusing for long periods of time. To help them, incorporate movement breaks and hands-on activities into your lessons. Provide opportunities for students to work collaboratively and give them clear directions to keep them engaged.

Emotional regulation: Fourth graders are still developing emotional regulation skills and may struggle with managing their emotions. Encourage students to identify their emotions and provide coping strategies such as deep breathing or taking a break when they feel overwhelmed.

Academic challenges: Fourth grade is a time when students are expected to master more challenging academic concepts. To support struggling students, provide differentiated instruction and extra help outside of class. Encourage students to ask for help when they need it and provide opportunities for them to practice skills in a safe and supportive environment.


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