Wonder Lab - K2L21 Boat Builders

 

K2L21 Boat Builders

Lesson Duration: 45 minutes

Grade: K2

Preparation Time: 15 minutes


Learning Objectives

- Predict which materials will make better boats

- Construct simple boats using different materials

- Compare the effectiveness of different boat designs


Materials Needed:

- Clear water bins (1 per group of 4 children)

- Pre-folded paper boat templates

- Aluminum foil sheets (2 per child)

- Counting bears (20 per group)

- Prediction charts with pictures

- Markers/stickers for recording

- Different materials for testing:

  • Paper boats

  • Foil boats

  • Plastic containers

  • Foam pieces

- Small weight items for testing

- Paper towels

- Waterproof aprons


Lesson Procedure

3 mins - Welcome Time

• Sing "Hello Song"

• Show different types of boats: "Look at these boats!"

• Basic water safety reminders

 

5 mins - Discovery Chat

• Show pictures of different boats

• Demonstrate floating/sinking with various materials

• Introduce vocabulary: float, sink, heavy, light, strong, weak

• Ask children to predict: "Which boat is strongest?"

 

10 mins - Hands-On Challenge 1: Prediction Time

• Part 1 (5 mins):

  - Show different materials

  - Children use stickers on prediction charts

  - Practice phrases: "I think it floats!" "This will sink!"

• Part 2 (5 mins):

  - Test predictions with materials

  - Record results with different colored stickers

  - Compare predictions with results

 

12 mins - Hands-On Challenge 2: Paper Boat Testing

• Part 1 (6 mins):

  - Distribute pre-folded paper boats

  - Test floating in water

  - Add counting bears one by one

  - Count bears until boat sinks

• Part 2 (6 mins):

  - Record number of bears on chart

  - Compare results with friends

  - Use phrases: "My boat holds (number) bears!"

 

12 mins - Hands-On Challenge 3: Foil Boat Challenge

• Part 1 (6 mins):

  - Demonstrate simple foil boat making

  - Children create their own designs

  - Test floating ability

• Part 2 (6 mins):

  - Load test with counting bears

  - Compare with paper boat results

  - Discuss which boat was stronger

 

3 mins - Wrap-Up

• Review boat types and results

• Share discoveries: "Foil/paper boat holds more!"

• Sing "Goodbye Song"

 


Reference

For better understanding of forest animal homes and to enrich your teaching preparation, please watch these reference videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMbO00zWQnM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pK-iPwtW4W8

Important:
• These videos are for teacher reference only and should not be shown directly to students
• Instead, extract key concepts and adapt them to K1 level using:

  • Simple vocabulary
  • Clear, brief explanations
  • Age-appropriate examples
    • Use the provided lesson PowerPoint images to support your teaching
    • Focus on interactive demonstration and hands-on activities rather than passive viewing
    • Keep explanations concrete and relatable to young learners' experiences

 


PowerPoint Presentation 

 

[Slide 1: Title]

Title: "Boat Builders!"

• Friendly boat character waving

• Ocean background with waves

Text: "Hello friends! Let's build boats today!"

Safety Note: "Remember water safety rules!"

 

[Slide 2: Meet Captain Builder]

Title: "Meet Captain Builder!"

• Cheerful captain character

• Different boat designs background

Text:

- "This is Captain Builder!"

- "He helps us make boats!"

- "Can you say 'Builder'?"

 

[Slide 3: Different Boats]

Title: "Many Kinds of Boats"

Content: "Boats can be made from different things!"

Visuals:

• Pictures of:

  - Paper boat

  - Foil boat

  - Plastic boat

  - Foam boat

Text:

- "Look at these boats!"

- "Which one looks strongest?"

- "Let's test them all!"

 

[Slide 4: Float Words]

Title: "Boat Words"

Content:

• "FLOAT! ⬆️"

• "SINK! ⬇️"

Visuals:

• Floating boat

• Sinking boat

Text:

- "Good boats float!"

- "Heavy boats sink!"

- "Let's say: float... sink!"

 

[Slide 5: Prediction Time]

Title: "What Will Happen?"

Visuals:

• Materials for testing

• Prediction chart example

Text:

- "Which boat will float best?"

- "Make your guess!"

- "Put your sticker here!"

Safety Note: "Keep materials on table!"

 

[Slide 6: Paper Boat Test]

Title: "Paper Boat Challenge"

Visuals:

• Paper boat with bears

• Testing steps

Text:

- "Add bears one by one"

- "Count carefully!"

- "How many bears float?"

Safety Note: "Gentle with the bears!"

 

[Slide 7: Foil Boat Time]

Title: "Foil Boat Builder"

Visuals:

• Foil boat making steps

• Completed foil boat

Text:

- "Make your foil boat!"

- "Test it in water!"

- "Count the bears!"

Safety Note: "Careful with foil edges!"

 

[Slide 8: Compare Results]

Title: "Which Boat Won?"

Visuals:

• Results chart

• Both boat types

Text:

- "Count your bears!"

- "Which boat held more?"

- "Share your results!"

 

[Slide 9: Well Done!]

Title: "Great Job, Builders!"

Visuals:

• Happy Captain Builder

• All boats floating

Text:

- "You built amazing boats!"

- "We learned about floating!"

- "Goodbye, everyone!"