ES Design: Grade 3

Central Idea: Services are developed to meet the needs of a community. 

Essential Question: How do we use different tools and techniques to accomplish tasks?

Focus: Physical Design - Cardboard construction

Major project: Cardboard City

Minor projects: Bomimal

Students will:

• Measure accurately with a ruler.
• Cut cardboard with a Makedo safe saw using the correct sawing and scoring technique.
• Refer to and follow a given template.
• Understand the properties of cardboard as a prototyping material.
• Use tabs and slots to attach cardboard with minimal use of tape.

Central Idea: Scientists use processes to investigate the transformation of the natural world.

Essential Question: How can diagrams represent the natural world?

Focus: Digital Design - Graphic Design

Major project: Cross-section diagrams

Minor projects: Plant diagrams

Students will:

• Use contrast, alignment, repetition and proximity.
• Use shapes to create diagrams in Keynote.
• Animate shapes in Keynote.

Central Idea: People can make responsible choices when using resources.

Essential Question: How can we cut and fasten wood safely?

Focus: Physical Design - Wood Design

Major project: Bug hotels

Minor projects: Picture frame

Students will:

• Use a clamp to hold wood in place.
• Use a screwdriver to fasten wood together.
• Safely use a mini-hacksaw to cut wood.

Central Idea: Understanding what people believe can enable us to become internationally minded.

Essential Question: How do we use different tools and techniques to accomplish tasks?

Focus: Digital Design - Coding

Major project: DashBot Coding Challenges

Minor projects: Unplugged coding

Students will:

• Follow a self-paced tutorial.
• Use movement, sound, and sentences to command to control a Dash robot.
• Create their own coding challenges to share with others.

Central Idea: We can communicate our learning in different ways.

Essential Question: How do we use different tools and techniques to accomplish tasks?

Focus: Digital Design - Video

Major project: Knock Knock Jokes

Minor projects: Self videos

Students will:

• Practice recording video using the iPad camera.
• Use framing and perspective to record video.
• Use a microphone to record audio.

Central Idea: Our lives can be affected by the contributions of significant people.

Essential Question: How can we safely cut and fasten fabric?

Focus: Physical Design - Sewing

Major project: Locker Crest

Minor projects: Bag tag

Students will:

• Safely cut fabric using fabric scissors.
• Thread a needle.
• Tie on and tie off thread.
• Safely use a needle and thread to fasten fabric with a loop stitch.