Christmas Big Brain Builders

Christmas Big Brain Builders

Spend the 12 days of Christmas encouraging creative, playful and immersive learning with your students. This variety of activities ranges from hot cocoa experiments, to engineering challenges and is designed to meet your students at their level, with endless possibilities.

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Learning goals

  • We are learning to locate positions in two-dimensional representations, e.g. maps and follow directions to familiar locations.
  • We are learning to read simple maps and identify the positions of key features.
  • We are learning to use comprehension strategies to find literal and inferred meaning in texts and to begin using our growing knowledge base to evaluate texts.
  • We are learning to use comprehension strategies to find literal and inferred meaning in texts and to begin using our growing knowledge base to evaluate texts.
  • We are learning to create and interpret two-dimensional representations, e.g. maps and follow directions to familiar locations.
  • We are learning to read simple grid maps and show the positions and pathways.
  • We are learning to use comprehension strategies to find literal and inferred meaning in texts and to use and expand on our knowledge to analyse and evaluate texts.
  • We are learning to use comprehension strategies to build literal and inferred meaning and evaluate texts.
  • We are learning to use comprehension strategies to analyse information, integrating and linking ideas from a variety of print and digital sources.
  • We are learning to describe the ways of producing food and fibre.
  • We are learning to describe the ways food can be selected and prepared for healthy eating.
  • We are learning to investigate food and fibre production as well as food technologies used in modern and traditional societies.
  • We are learning to generate and communicate design ideas and decisions using appropriate attributions, technical terms and graphical representation techniques.
  • We are learning to generate, develop and communicate design ideas and decisions using appropriate technical terms and graphical representations.
  • We are learning to select and use materials, components, tools, equipment and techniques to safely make designed solutions.
  • We are learning to select and use materials, components, tools, equipment and techniques and use safe work practices to make designed solutions.
  • We are learning to generate, iterate and communicate design ideas, decisions and processes using technical terms and graphical representation techniques.
  • We are learning to generate, develop and communicate design ideas and processes for audiences using appropriate technical terms and graphical representations.
  • We are learning to select and use suitable materials, components, tools, equipment and techniques to safely make designed solutions.
  • We are learning to select appropriate materials, components, tools, equipment and techniques and apply safe procedures to make designed solutions.
  • Experiment with visual conventions and techniques to create artworks.

Curriculum alignment

AC9TDE4P02 9

Generate and communicate design ideas and decisions using appropriate attributions, technical terms and graphical representation techniques, including using digital tools

AC9M2SP02 9 Locate positions in two-dimensional representations of a familiar space; move positions by following directions and pathways AC9E3LY05 9 Use comprehension strategies when listening and viewing to build literal and inferred meaning, and begin to evaluate texts by drawing on a growing knowledge of context, text structures and language features AC9M3SP02 9 Interpret and create two-dimensional representations of familiar environments, locating key landmarks and objects relative to each other AC9E4LY05 9 Use comprehension strategies such as visualising, predicting, connecting, summarising, monitoring and questioning to build literal and inferred meaning, to expand topic knowledge and ideas, and evaluate texts AC9E5LY05 9 Use comprehension strategies such as visualising, predicting, connecting, summarising, monitoring and questioning to build literal and inferred meaning to evaluate information and ideas AC9AVA4D01 9 Experiment with a range of ways to use visual conventions, visual arts processes and materials AC9AVA4C01 9

Use visual conventions, visual arts processes and materials to create artworks that communicate ideas, perspectives and/or meaning

AC9S6I03 9 Use equipment to observe, measure and record data with reasonable precision, using digital tools as appropriate AC9S6I02 9 Plan and conduct repeatable investigations to answer questions including, as appropriate, deciding the variables to be changed, measured and controlled in fair tests; describing potential risks; planning for the safe use of equipment and materials; and identifying required permissions to conduct investigations on Country/Place AC9TDE6P03 9

Select and use suitable materials, components, tools, equipment and techniques to safely make designed solutions

AC9TDE6P02 9

Generate, iterate and communicate design ideas, decisions and processes using technical terms and graphical representation techniques, including using digital tools

AC9S5I03 9 Use equipment to observe, measure and record data with reasonable precision, using digital tools as appropriate AC9S3I03 9 Follow procedures to make and record observations, including making formal measurements using familiar scaled instruments and using digital tools as appropriate AC9TDE4K04 9

Describe the ways food can be selected and prepared for healthy eating

AC9TDE4K03 9

Describe the ways of producing food and fibre

AC9S5I02 9 Plan and conduct repeatable investigations to answer questions, including, as appropriate, deciding the variables to be changed, measured and controlled in fair tests; describing potential risks; planning for the safe use of equipment and materials; and identifying required permissions to conduct investigations on Country/Place AC9S4I02 9 Use provided scaffolds to plan and conduct investigations to answer questions or test predictions, including identifying the elements of fair tests, and considering the safe use of materials and equipment AC9TDE4P03 9

Select and use materials, components, tools, equipment and techniques to safely make designed solutions

ACELY1692 8.4 Use comprehension strategies to build literal and inferred meaning to expand content knowledge, integrating and linking ideas and analysing and evaluating texts ACSIS103 8.4 Identify, plan and apply the elements of scientific investigations to answer questions and solve problems using equipment and materials safely and identifying potential risks ACSIS104 8.4 Decide variables to be changed and measured in fair tests, and observe measure and record data with accuracy using digital technologies as appropriate ACAVAM111 8.4 Use materials, techniques and processes to explore visual conventions when making artworks ACTDEP016 8.4

Select and use materials, components, tools, equipment and techniques and use safe work practices to make designed solutions

ACAVAM115 8.4 Develop and apply techniques and processes when making their artworks ACTDEK012 8.4

Investigate food and fibre production and food technologies used in modern and traditional societies

ACMMG065 8.4 Create and interpret simple grid maps to show position and pathways ACTDEP015 8.4

Generate, develop, and communicate design ideas and decisions using appropriate technical terms and graphical representation techniques

ACELY1680 8.4 Use comprehension strategies to build literal and inferred meaning and begin to evaluate texts by drawing on a growing knowledge of context, text structures and language features ACMMG044 8.4 Interpret simple maps of familiar locations and identify the relative positions of key features ACSIS054 8.4 With guidance, plan and conduct scientific investigations to find answers to questions, considering the safe use of appropriate materials and equipment ACTDEP026 8.4

Select appropriate materials, components, tools, equipment and techniques and apply safe procedures to make designed solutions

ACSIS065 8.4 With guidance, plan and conduct scientific investigations to find answers to questions, considering the safe use of appropriate materials and equipment ACTDEP025 8.4

Generate, develop and communicate design ideas and processes for audiences using appropriate technical terms and graphical representation techniques

ACSIS087 8.4 Decide variables to be changed and measured in fair tests, and observe measure and record data with accuracy using digital technologies as appropriate ACELY1703 8.4 Use comprehension strategies to analyse information, integrating and linking ideas from a variety of print and digital sources ACSIS086 8.4 Identify, plan and apply the elements of scientific investigations to answer questions and solve problems using equipment and materials safely and identifying potential risks
ST2-8PW-ST old Describes the characteristics and effects of common forms of energy, such as light and heat ST3-7MW-T old Explains how the properties of materials determines their use for a range of purposes ST3-8PW-ST old Explains how energy is transformed from one form to another ST3-9PW-ST old Investigates the effects of increasing or decreasing the strength of a specific contact or non-contact force EN3-3A old Uses an integrated range of skills, strategies and knowledge to read, view and comprehend a wide range of texts in different media and technologies ST3-6MW-S old Explains the effect of heat on the properties and behaviour of materials ST2-1WS-S old Questions, plans and conducts scientific investigations, collects and summarises data and communicates using scientific representations ST2-2DP-T old Selects and uses materials, tools and equipment to develop solutions for a need or opportunity ST2-4LW-S old Compares features and characteristics of living and non-living things ST2-5LW-T old Describes how agricultural processes are used to grow plants and raise animals for food, clothing and shelter MA2-17MG old Uses simple maps and grids to represent position and follow routes, including using compass directions MA2-1WM old Uses appropriate terminology to describe, and symbols to represent, mathematical ideas ST2-9PW-ST old Describes how contact and non-contact forces affect an objectโ€™s motion ST3-5LW-T old Explains how food and fibre are produced sustainably in managed environments for health and nutrition ST3-4LW-S old Examines how the environment affects the growth, survival and adaptation of living things EN2-4A old Uses an increasing range of skills, strategies and knowledge to fluently read, view and comprehend a range of texts on increasingly challenging topics in different media and technologies ST3-2DP-T old Plans and uses materials, tools and equipment to develop solutions for a need or opportunity ST3-1WS-S old Plans and conducts scientific investigations to answer testable questions, and collects and summarises data to communicate conclusions ST2-6MW-S old Describes how adding or removing heat causes a change of state MA1-16MG old Represents and describes the positions of objects in everyday situations and on maps MA1-1WM old Describes mathematical situations and methods using everyday and some mathematical language, actions, materials, diagrams and symbols ST2-7MW-T old Investigates the suitability of natural and processed materials for a range of purposes EN2-OLC-01 new Communicates with familiar audiences for social and learning purposes, by interacting, understanding and presenting MA2-2DS-03 new Estimates, measures and compares areas using square centimetres and square metres EN2-VOCAB-01 new Builds knowledge and use of Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 vocabulary through interacting, wide reading and writing, and by defining and analysing words EN2-RECOM-01 new Reads and comprehends texts for wide purposes using knowledge of text structures and language, and by monitoring comprehension EN2-UARL-01 new Identifies and describes how ideas are represented in literature and strategically uses similar representations when creating texts EN3-OLC-01 new Communicates to wide audiences with social and cultural awareness, by interacting and presenting, and by analysing and evaluating for understanding EN3-RECOM-01 new Fluently reads and comprehends texts for wide purposes, analysing text structures and language, and by monitoring comprehension EN3-UARL-01 new Analyses representations of ideas in literature through narrative, character, imagery, symbol and connotation, and adapts these representations when creating texts EN3-UARL-02 new Analyses representations of ideas in literature through genre and theme that reflect perspective and context, argument and authority, and adapts these representations when creating texts MA2-GM-01 new Uses grid maps and directional language to locate positions and follow routes MA2-GM-02 new Measures and estimates lengths in metres, centimetres and millimetres MA2-GM-03 new Identifies angles and classifies them by comparing to a right angle MA2-2DS-01 new Compares two-dimensional shapes and describes their features MA2-2DS-02 new Performs transformations by combining and splitting two-dimensional shapes MA1-GM-01 new Represents and describes the positions of objects in familiar locations
VCSIS068 Use formal measurements in the collection and recording of observations VCDSCD029 Generate, develop, and communicate design ideas and decisions using appropriate technical terms and graphical representation techniques VCMMG122 Interpret simple maps of familiar locations and identify the relative positions of key features VCSIS067 Safely use appropriate materials, tools, equipment and technologies VCDSTC026 Investigate food preparation techniques used in modern or traditional societies VCELY257 Use comprehension strategies to build literal and inferred meaning and begin to evaluate texts by drawing on a growing knowledge of context, text structures and language features VCELY319 Use comprehension strategies to analyse information, integrating and linking ideas from a variety of print and digital sources VCMMG143 Create and interpret simple grid maps to show position and pathways VCDSTC025 Investigate food and fibre production used in modern or traditional societies VCELY288 Use comprehension strategies to build literal and inferred meaning to expand content knowledge, integrating and linking ideas and analysing and evaluating texts VCSIS084 Decide which variables should be changed, measured and controlled in fair tests and accurately observe, measure and record data VCDSCD030 Select and use materials, components, tools and equipment using safe work practices to produce designed solutions VCAVAV030 Select and apply visual conventions, materials, techniques, technologies and processes specific to different art forms when making artworks VCSIS083 With guidance, plan appropriate investigation types to answer questions or solve problems and use equipment, technologies and materials safely, identifying potential risks VCDSCD039 Generate, develop, communicate and document design ideas and processes for audiences using appropriate technical terms and graphical representation techniques VCAVAV026 Explore visual conventions and use materials, techniques, technologies and processes specific to particular art forms, and to make artworks VCDSCD040 Apply safe procedures when using a variety of materials, components, tools, equipment and techniques to produce designed solutions

Australian Curriculum covers QLD / SA / WA / NT / TAS / ACT.

Differentiation

Modifications

Many of these activities can be done by students of any age. Try pairing and grouping students, to complete some of the more complex challenges.

Teach it your way

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