Steps for Learning - Activity Two: A Toy for Little Amadeus

 

1. Tell your students that they are going to design a musical toy for Little Amadeus. Ask your students to share any information they have about how scientists and designers work. For example, you might discuss observation, testing, modeling, etc.

 

2. Divide the class into small groups and tell the students that they are going to build a toy for Little Amadeus. Tell them that the toy must be a musical toy.

 

3. Tell the students to brainstorm ideas for what their group might design. Remind the students that, all ideas are good ideas. Emphasize the importance of teamwork in designing new things. Remind the students to review the ideas in the class-generated lists.

 

Then have the group select one idea for their toy for Little Amadeus.

 

4. The next step is to test their ideas. Before the group begins building its toy, tell them that it is important to test their idea. Have the students test their idea on a student from another group to get feedback.

 

Tell the students that they should incorporate the student’s feedback into their design.

 

5. The final step is to build the musical toy. Give each group an assortment of materials to use. This may include teacher/student made musical instruments, cardboard paper towel rolls, pipe cleaners, string, plastic tubes, and household items that make a noise. You can add to this list or modify it depending on what is available. There is no one way to design this toy, so encourage your students’ creativity.