Lesson 2: Stevie and the Big Project

Topics: Fail | Frustrated | Persistence | Unplugged

Overview

Sometimes when kids run into a problem while working on something, they get frustrated and want to quit. This lesson teaches students that feeling frustrated can actually be a helpful part of learning. Instead of thinking of frustration as a sign that they've failed, students will learn to see it as just one step in making or creating something.

This lesson can be taught over one or two class periods. If you have extra time, you can spend more time on the building and fixing part of the Marble Run activity.

Purpose

The goal of this lesson is to help students understand that failing and feeling frustrated are normal parts of working on projects. These feelings don't mean they should give up.

Students will learn what it feels like to be frustrated while working on a big project. Not every student may feel frustrated during this activity, but there will be plenty of chances to talk about times in the past when students felt frustrated but kept trying anyway.

Agenda

Warm Up (15 min)

• Stevie and the Big Project
• Vocabulary

Marble Run (20–45 min)

• Before the Project
• Building the Marble Run
• After the Marble Run

Wrap Up (5 min)

• Journaling

Extended Learning

View on Code Studio

Objectives

Students will be able to:

• Notice and point out signs of feeling frustrated.
• Explain at least one reason why they will keep trying when they feel frustrated, instead of giving up.

Preparation

• Watch the Stevie and the Big Project – Teacher Video.
• Read "Stevie and the Big Project" ahead of time so you can think of good questions to ask your class.
• Follow the steps in the Marble Run – Teacher Prep Guide to build a Marble Run.
• Print copies of the Marble Run Ruler (page 2 of the teacher guide) for each student or pair of students.
• Set up a station with cardstock, safety scissors, tape, and other fun building materials.
• Include a stack of the "Marble Run Hints" pages from the Teacher Prep Guide.