K2L7 Steady Towers
Lesson Duration: 60 minutes
Grade: K2
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Learning Objectives
1. Identify prism shapes in everyday objects
2. Identify features of prisms
3. Construct a simple prism form
Materials Needed:
- Building blocks (20 per child)
- Base plates (1 per child)
- Picture cards of towers/tall buildings
- Toy figures for testing stability
- Balance boards/wobble boards
- Measuring tape/ruler
- Safety mats
- "Tower Challenge" cards showing different bases
- Timer
- Small prizes/stickers
Lesson Procedure
**3 mins - Welcome Time**
• Lead "Hello Song"
• Show pictures of famous towers
• Introduce word "steady"
• Demonstrate wobbly vs. steady
**7 mins - Discovery Chat: What Makes Things Stable**
• Show different tower pictures
• Compare wide vs. narrow bases
• Demonstrate with single block
• Use balance board example
• Introduce vocabulary: steady, stable, strong
**10 mins - Hands-On Challenge 1: Test Different Bases**
• Give each child 6 blocks
• Demonstrate base arrangements:
- Single block base
- Two block base
- Three block base
• Test stability with gentle push
• Count how many blocks stay up
• Compare results together
**15 mins - Hands-On Challenge 2: Build and Test**
• Set up 3 stations:
- Wide base building
- Medium base building
- Narrow base building
• Rotate groups every 5 minutes
• Test with toy figures
• Count blocks used
• Monitor safety
• Guide proper stacking
**15 mins - Hands-On Challenge 3: Tall Towers**
• Part 1 (7 mins):
- Choose best base from testing
- Start building up
- Count levels
- Test stability
• Part 2 (8 mins):
- Competition time
- Build tallest stable tower
- Measure heights
- Award "Builder Badges"
**5 mins - Clean Up**
• Sort blocks by size
• Return materials
• Clean workspace
• Take photos of towers
**2 mins - Wrap-Up**
• Review stable building tips
• Give out stickers
• Lead "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=guiPKY9PINg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gh-_SJ-zZsw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKz8sH53XDA
https://babbledabbledo.com/engineering-for-kids-skewer-structures/
Important:
• These videos are for teacher reference only and should not be shown directly to students
• Instead, extract key concepts and adapt them to Kindergarten 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 (60): "Steady Towers!"
- Visuals: Cartoon tower character smiling
- Text: "Let's build strong towers!"
**Slide 2: Towers Around Us**
- Title (48): "Look at Towers!"
- Visuals:
• Pictures of towers in real life
• Block towers
• Building towers
- Text: "Towers are tall!"
**Slide 3: Steady vs. Wobbly**
- Title (48): "Steady or Wobbly?"
- Visuals:
• Happy steady tower (standing straight)
• Sad wobbly tower (tilting)
• Arrows showing movement
- Text: "Which is better?"
**Slide 4: Base Size Matters**
- Title (48): "Big Bottom, Strong Tower!"
- Visuals:
• Three towers:
- Small base (wobbly)
- Medium base (better)
- Wide base (strongest)
- Text: "Bigger bottom = stronger!"
**Slide 5: Testing Base - Single Point**
- Title (48): "One Point Base"
- Visuals:
• Split screen showing 3 options:
- Option A: Single connector point (generic shape)
- Option B: One clay ball with sticks
- Option C: One connection point
• Arrows showing wobble movement
• "X" mark indicating not stable
- Text: "Not steady with one point!"
**Slide 6: Testing Base - Two Points**
- Title (48): "Two Points Base"
- Visuals:
• Split screen showing 3 options:
- Option A: Two connected points
- Option B: Two clay balls with connecting stick
- Option C: Two connection points joined
• Arrows showing tipping movement
• "?" mark indicating somewhat stable
- Text: "Better, but still tips!"
**Slide 7: Testing Base - Three Points**
- Title (48): "Three Points Base"
- Visuals:
• Split screen showing 3 options:
- Option A: Triangle base shape
- Option B: Three clay balls connected
- Option C: Three-point connection
• Stability arrows
• "✓" mark indicating stable
- Text: "Triangle base is strong!"
**Slide 8: First Level**
- Title (48): "First Level"
- Visuals:
• Generic diagram showing:
- Base points connected
- Level surface indicator
- Connection points marked
• Multiple material options shown in corners
- Text: "Make your base level"
**Slide 9: Second Level**
- Title (48): "Add Height"
- Visuals:
• Generic diagram showing:
- Vertical supports
- Connection points
- Level check
• Multiple material examples in corners
- Text: "Build up straight"
**Slide 10: Third Level**
- Title (48): "Growing Taller"
- Visuals:
• Generic diagram showing:
- Multiple levels
- Support points
- Balance indicators
• Different material possibilities shown
- Text: "Keep checking stability"
**Slide 11: Tower Challenge**
- Title (48): "Build High!"
- Visuals:
• Different tower heights
• Measuring marks
• Success stars
- Text: "How tall can you go?"
**Slide 12: Safety First**
- Title (48): "Be Safe!"
- Visuals:
• Safe building space
• Gentle hands
• Space between builders
- Text: "Build carefully!"
**Slide 13: Test Your Tower**
- Title (48): "Is it Strong?"
- Visuals:
• Testing methods:
- Gentle push test
- Count blocks
- Measure height
- Text: "Check your tower"
**Slide 14: Well Done!**
- Title (48): "Amazing Builders!"
- Visuals:
• Different successful towers
• Celebration graphics
• Builder badges
- Text: "Great towers everyone!"