As an educator, we love when can use or create a lesson that is interdisciplinary. That’s definitely an educational buzz word! I love when I am able to incorporate literature into our STEM program. I find it to be the best way to introduce problem solving using STEM to the younger elementary students.
The story of the Gingerbread Man is used in schools everywhere as a winter activity. It does not reflect any specific holiday and the students seem to always love the idea of the Gingerbread Man. There are also so many different picture book versions out there, you can surely find one that your students haven’t heard yet!
In planning for my Winter unit for grades K-2 in the library, I came across this great FREE Gingerbread STEM Activity.
I used the Gingerbread Man template from this activity to print out the Gingerbread men on cardstock so the students could use them for planning and building!
It took me one 30 minute period to introduce the Gingerbread Man and have the students plan, and then a second 30-40 minute period for them to build and share.
Day 1 Gingerbread Man Trap STEM Activity
I collected several different versions of the Gingerbread Man. This way if a class had recently read one with their homeroom teachers then I would have other options to read.
After reading the story to the class, I explained that we would be creating a trap for the Gingerbread man; so that we could trap him before he got to the fox!
I put students in partners with pairing cards. After students has their partners, you can show them the materials they have to use. I honestly chose materials that I had the biggest supply of.
Students had the choice to use:
- Cardboard Tubes (TP and Paper Towel)
- Straws
- String
- Egg Cartons
- Bottle Caps
On the day of building, each group would also receive about 1-2 feet of masking tape.
After showing students the materials, they had about 10-15 minutes to plan with their partners. Students can draw and label their traps with the materials they would be using. Here is a the planning template I used!
Day 2 Gingerbread Man Trap STEM Activity
Build, Build, Build! As soon as the students came in, I showed students where all the materials were and reminded them of what materials they could use. As I passed out their plans, tape and the card stock Gingerbread men, each group gathered their supplies to start building.
Students had about 15 minutes to build. I always keep a timer running on the board so students can learn to manage their time. At the end of the 15 minutes, students cleaned up everything off their tables EXCEPT for the traps.
The class visited each trap as a group, and the student builders showed the class how their trap worked. At the end of the lesson, I asked the class these questions.
What did you find difficult about this challenge?
Did working with a partner make it easier or harder?
What did you think worked really well on your trap?
What would you do differently next time.
I had students reflect in a whole group, but you could also use the reflection questions as an exit ticket and have students respond individually!
This project was a great way to celebrate Winter fun and the students were 100% engaged. They also worked on their team work, organization and time management!
