Bone Bridges and Day of the Dead

I am trying to tie my lessons together between library and STEAM.  I want to be a librarian with a STEAM classroom which is very different than a STEAM classroom in the library.

Literacy is a key piece to my programs this year.  Miss Sally read Funny Bones: Posada and his Day of the Dead Calavaras with many of the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders.  From personal connections, she was able to tie in additional information and culture!  In STEAM, the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders made "BONE BRIDGES".  In Art, students in 3rd grade are doing a Day of the Dead project.  Our goal is to make the children more culturally aware.

I found this awesome new book through the PA Young Reader's Choice Awards program.  It is a nominated title for 2016-2017.  More information on these books and how to vote can be found their wiki space page - PA Young Readers Choice Awards OR through the Pennsylvania State Library Association webpage - PSLA.

Want to learn more about Day of the Dead - check out these two websites
 National Geographic Kids OR National Geographic

Onto the cool STEAM project...BONE BRIDGES.  I found this idea thanks to Pinterest and Teachers Pay Teachers.   Here is a video explaining the project.   

 

Check out the author and blog here -  Bone Bridge blogger

I gave the students 30 q-tips, 5-6 pipe cleaners, unlimited craft sticks, drinking straws, glue sticks, and scissors.  In groups of 3-5, the students had 30 or so minutes to construct a "Bone Bridge".  Many groups were wanting more time to improve on the plan.  I was so impressed to see the creativity.  Getting along with others is one of the biggest challenges...how do you disagree politely, how do you involve everyone, how to deal with disappointment when your idea fails, etc... This activity helped to shape the students as thinkers and problem solvers, but also work on collaboration skills.  

What would I change for next year?

1. Bring in tables to work on and permit the use of white glue not glue sticks.

2. Give each group a paper plate to build on to make moving the project easier

3. More time to share, measure, etc...

4. Improved display case display...more levels, better signage, etc...

Here are some of the completed Bone Bridges from the camera...I will add more pictures on Monday from the display cases!

This is what team work looks like!  Hand in Hand working together

Can you make a "Bone Bridge" at home and share your creation in the comments?