Tuesday 3 January 2012

Angry Birds... Subdued kids...

Today was the first day back. Typically, kids were a bit mental. The wind wasn't a great addition, sending them loopy too. Having Year 11 Set 5 two lessons wasn't the best idea, so the last half hour was spent with these:




I had a kid say that this was his most fun lesson in years and another went round picking up Birds and Pigs that people had left to take home with him!


I strongly recommend using them for a relaxed lesson with the sole intention to have kids improve their ability to visualise nets folding up.

Drawbacks for me were that I photocopied them onto paper at short notice. Definitely plan ahead, get them photocopied in colour on to card. Maybe even arrange for kids to bring a weighted object in that will roll, so that once you're done you can roll them at each other across tables.
One of the kids cut the ears/hair out and stuck them over the 'slots' on the top - works extremely well!


Thanks to Mr. Collins for blogging about the files! :)

[Update: After a brief flurry of exchanged Tweets, I've had thoughts of how I might have done this with improved planning and more time.
I'd have definitely created a level for the models to live in - colour printed backdrop on A3.
I'd have also had some kids create towers by making differently sized cuboids and perhaps decorate these with lollipop sticks to give a wood effect.
If I'm able to fashion a slingshot, I'll have the Birds stuffed to increase their weight.
As an extension, it may also be possible to investigate the best way to weight the birds to get furthest travel - cotton wool to minimise damage, or plasticine to increase weight?

Just a few thoughts...]

3 comments:

  1. Used the idea and template in my classroom. This was a terrific lesson. I was also able to include volume and measurement concepts.

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  2. I am planning to use this activity in the next weeks. I can't wait for the kids reaction. Thanks

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  3. This looks really fun! Showing them to students and then getting the students to design their own, birds or other things, would be great. Thanks for sharing.

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