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Kindergarten · Science · Unit 8 of 8

Make It Work

Spot a problem, draw a plan, test two ideas.

What your child practices

Practices the first steps of engineering: noticing a problem to fix, seeing how an object's shape helps it do its job, and comparing two designs after a test.

Maine Learning Results learning standard: K-2-ETS1-1; K-2-ETS1-2; K-2-ETS1-3 · noticing a problem to solve, how an object's shape helps it work, and comparing two designs

How we explain it

Children can open this short lesson before they practice.

  1. First, spot a problem to fix.
  2. Draw a plan before you build.
  3. A shape helps a thing work. Round wheels roll.

Example: Which shape is best for a wheel? A wheel must roll. Circles roll. Answer: a circle

Make It Work in Maine

In the Maine Learning Results, this is unit 8 of 8 in Kindergarten Science, after Where Animals Live.

Gradelings describes a child's practice on this unit as Beginning, Approaching, Meeting or Exceeding (Four practice steps). That reflects practice, not a report-card mark: the teacher decides the mark.

Source: Maine Department of Education

Sample questions

A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.

  1. Question 1

    A ramp helps a wagon…

    • stop for good
    • roll up a step
    • fly away
    • get wet

  2. Question 2

    Why is a ball round?

    • So it can hold water
    • So it can roll
    • So it can stand still
    • So it can stack

  3. Question 3

    Why is a slide smooth?

    • So it is sticky
    • So it stays wet
    • So you can climb up fast
    • So you can slide down

  4. Question 4

    Why does a bucket have a handle?

    • To make it heavy
    • To carry it
    • To make it round
    • To make it wet

  5. Question 5

    Your block tower falls over. What can you do?

    • Try a wider bottom
    • Use fewer blocks on the bottom
    • Give up
    • Make it wobbly

  6. Question 6

    Two cups hold water. One leaks. Which is better?

    • The cup that leaks
    • The cup that does not leak
    • They are the same
    • Neither cup

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