Unit Name: STEM Meets the 3 Little Pigs
Time Frame: Trimester 2
Author: Egg Harbor Township Elementary Schools
UNIT
Subject: Physical Science
Course/Grade: 2
Country: USA
State/Group: NJ
School: Egg Harbor Township High School
UNIT SUMMARY
The students will analyze data obtained from testing different materials to determine which
materials have the properties that are best suited for an intended purpose.
UNIT RESOURCES
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The Three Little Pigs
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Touch It! Materials, Matter, and You (Primary Physical Science) By, Adrienne Mason
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Matter: See It, Touch It, Taste It, Smell It (Amazing Science) By, Darlene Stille

What’s The Matter in Mr. Whiskers’ Room By Michael Elsohn Ross
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How a House is Built By, Gail Gibbons
Internet Resource Links:
Properties of Matter:
http://schools.bcsd.com/fremont/5th_sci__matter_properties_of_matter.htm
Properties of Matter and Everyday Uses
http://www.primaryresources.co.uk/science/pdfs/rsc_tc_nc1.pdf
Games for Kids
http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/gamesactivities/materialproperties.html
Material Properties
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks2/science/materials/material_properties/read
/1/
STAGE ONE
GOALS AND STANDARDS
Science Standard
2-PS-1 Plan and conduct an investigation to describe and classify different kinds of materials by their
observable properties.
2-PS1-2 Analyze data obtained from testing different materials to determine which materials have the
properties that are best suited for an intended purpose.
2-PS1-3 Make observations to construct an evidence-based account of how an object made of a small
set of pieces can be disassembled and made into a new object.
2-PS1-4 Construct an argument with evidence that some changes caused my heating or cooling can
be reversed and some cannot.
ENDURING UNDERSTANDINGS
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All materials have different properties such as; strength, flexibility, hardness, texture, and
absorbency.
Materials can be reused and recycled for different purposes.
Material can be changed through heating and cooling.
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
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Which materials properties are best suited for the design?
Why do you think these properties worked best?
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
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Matter – Everything that takes up space.
Mass – How much something weighs.
Materials – Supplies
Force – Push or pull.
Properties – color, size, shape, texture, weight, flexibility, absorbency, etc.
Construct – To build or put together.
Students will know:
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Students will describe and classify different kinds of materials by their observable properties.
Students will determine which materials have the properties that are best suited for an
intended purpose.
Make observations on how an object’s materials can be reused to create a new object.
Construct an argument with evidence that some changes caused by heating or cooling can be
reversed and some cannot.
STAGE TWO
PERFORMANCE TASKS
Part One (Physical Model)
Materials Needed: cardboard, aluminum foil, popsicle sticks, paper bags, straws, yarn, construction
paper, spaghetti, pipe cleaners.
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Teacher will read “The 3 Little Pigs” to the students.
Students will use the allotted amount of money given to buy supplies for the construction of
the 4th Little Pig’s house.
Work in small groups to create the 4th Little Pig’s House that would withstand the wind from
the Big Bad Wolf.
Part Two: Constructing Explanations:
Expository Essay – Information About My House (Empowering Writers) – Month 5 Lesson 9
OTHER EVIDENCE
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Teacher Questions
Class Discussions
Problem Solving
Math Assignments
ELA Assignments
STAGE THREE
LEARNING PLAN
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Put students in small groups.
Have each group brainstorm and design a blueprint of a house that would withstand the wind
from the Big Bad Wolf.
Provide students with materials such as; cardboard, foil, Styrofoam, popsicle sticks, string,
etc.
Students will “purchase” these materials using play money.
Students will construct their structure based on their blueprint.
They will test and evaluate the strength of the materials used to build their home using a
hairdryer or fan.
Redesign and reflect based on results from using the fan.