ES Design: Grade 4

Central Idea: Environmental challenges create many opportunities.

Essential question: How can unused materials be upcycled to promote sustainability?

Focus: Physical Design - Sewing

Major project: It's Not a Shirt!

Minor projects: Pencil holder

Students will:

• Safely use pins to secure fabric.
• Safely use a needle and thread to sew two pieces of fabric together.
• Safely use fabric scissors.
• Use a running stitch to fasten pieces of fabric.
• Create and follow a plan.

Central Idea: Inventions and innovations evolve in response to opportunities and needs.

Essential question: How can a product be improved to better solve a problem?

Focus: Physical Design - Cardboard construction

Major project: Swift nesting boxes

Minor projects: Mouse house

Students will:

• Use a Makedo Safe saw to cut cardboard.
• Use tape to efficiently fasten cardboard.
• Follow a plan.
• Measure accurately.

Central Idea: Our bodies rely on interdependent systems.

Essential question: How do the different parts of a system work together to create a whole?

Focus: Digital Design - Video (animation)

Major project: Body system animations

Minor projects: Animate a story

Students will:

• Use build-in, action, and build-out animations in Keynote.
• Use contrast and alignment.
• Use shapes and drawings to model a body system.
• Use build order to control timings and order of animations.

Central Idea: Media is a tool that influences the decisions people make.

Essential question: How can video be used to persuade others?

Focus: Digital Design - Video

Major project: WABTV Public Service Announcements

Minor projects: Caring is... videos

Students will:

• Use framing and perspective.
• Record clear vocal audio.
• Use a soundtrack that adds to the message.
• Use build order to control timings and order of animations.

Central Idea: The way a city is organized has changed over time.

Essential question: How can code be used to change robot behavior?

Focus: Digital Design - Coding

Major project: mBot Maze competition

Minor projects: mBlockly Challenges

Students will:

• Construct a mBot robot.
• Use movement, show (lights and sound), control (repeat, if then) and sensor commands