GoalUse the design steps to plan a small helper for a habitat, and write a letter that persuades.
New words
design · to plan how to make somethingtest · to try something to see if it workspersuade · to give good reasons so that someone agrees with you
Explanation
To solve a problem, we follow design steps. First comes an idea. Then we choose materials and make a plan. Next we build. Then we test. At the end we improve. For example, birds in the yard have no water. Idea: a water dish. Materials: an old shallow dish and flat stones. We draw a plan, build it with a grown-up and test it. Does it leak? We can improve it. Then we write a letter to persuade our family to help. A good letter gives two clear reasons.
Worked examples
Salma pours water into her dish to test it. It leaks at one corner. She improves it by choosing another dish with no crack.
Farida writes: “Dear Mum, I want to put a water dish for the birds on our balcony. First, birds need water in hot weather. Second, I can use an old dish, so it costs nothing. Will you help me? Thank you, Farida.”
Karim tests his dish. It is too deep, so a small bird cannot stand in it. He improves it by adding flat stones.
Class activity
Make a bird water dish. With a grown-up, find a shallow old dish. Draw your plan. Put it in the shade on a balcony or in a garden and fill it with clean water. Test it: does it leak? Do birds visit? Fill it with fresh water every day. Then write a short letter to a family member: Dear …, first reason, second reason, I need your help because …, thank you.
Practice
1
Nour’s bird dish tips over, so she changes it to make it steadier. Which design step is this?
Improve.
2
What do we do in the test step?
We try it to see if it works.
3
Which picture shows the build step? Say the letter.
B, the hammer.
4
Write two reasons for a letter that asks your family to plant a tree.
Any two, for example: a tree gives shade; birds can live in it; it makes the air fresher.
