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Description: Students will conduct research on the origins of mobiles as well as Alexander Calder’s work. Students will collect notes on provided and self-generated questions and then write their answers in their lab journals.
 * Activity 1: Alexander Calder/Mobile Research**

IRA/NCTE Standard: Students conduct research on issues and interests by generating ideas and questions, and by posing problems. They gather, evaluate, and synthesize data from a variety of sources (e.g., print and nonprint texts, artifacts, people) to communicate their discoveries in ways that suit their purpose and audience.

Description: Using a finger as a fulcrum, students will balance fabricated 2D and 3D shapes on a pipe cleaner.
 * Activity 2: Pipe Cleaner Balance with 2D and 3D Shapes**

NCTM Curricular Focal Points (5th): Students’ experiences connect their work with solids and volume to their earlier work with capacity and weight or mass. They solve problems that require attention to both approximation and precision of measurement.

Description: Students will measure the angles, surface area, and perimeter of 2D shapes using both standard measuring tools as well as benchmark estimation techniques. Students will record their measurements in their design journal.
 * Activity 3: Shape Analysis (Angles, Surface Area, Perimeter)**

NCTM Curricular Focal Points (4th): Students recognize area as an attribute of two-dimensional regions. They learn that they can quantify area by finding the total number of same-sized units of area that cover the shape without gaps or overlaps. They understand that a square that is 1 unit on a side is the standard unit for measuring area. They select appropriate units, strategies (e.g., decomposing shapes), and tools for solving problems that involve estimating or measuring area. As part of understanding two-dimensional shapes, students measure and classify angles.

Description: Students will build symmetric and asymmetric 3D solids using snap cubes and “mat plans” from spatial visualization tests. Students will compare and contrast volume and surface area for different 3D solids.
 * Activity 4: “Stabile” Construction with Snap Cubes**

NCTM Curricular Focal Points (5th): Students recognize volume as an attribute of three-dimensional space. They understand that they can quantify volume by finding the total number of same-sized units of volume that they need to fill the space without gaps or overlaps. They understand that a cube that is 1 unit on an edge is the standard unit for measuring volume.

Description: Students will use a ruler, their finger, and a variety of coins to explore balance and distance (measurement). Students will record different combinations of coins in their design journal, possibly exploring ratios and proportional reasoning.
 * Activity 5: Ruler Balance, Measurement, and Proportional Reasoning**

Description: Students will design a balanced mobile that incorporates 2D and 3D shapes but relies on specific constraints (TBD).
 * Activity 6: Mobile Construction**