Grade 3, Unit 2: Strong and Stable Structures (Ontario Science)

The Grade 3, Unit 2: Strong and Stable Structures activity packet provides lessons, readings, activities, and investigations that help students to meet the overall expectations and big ideas outlined in the 2007 Ontario Science curriculum. This resource has students explore what it means for a structure to be strong and stable, the difference between man-made and natural structures, and the impact that structures can have on the natural and built environment.

Focus of the Unit:

This resource introduces students to what structures are, and what the purpose is of structures for both humans and animals. In this unit, students explore the distinction between strength and stability and the ways in which these two properties can affect the usefulness of a structure. Students investigate the factors that affect a structure’s strength and stability and apply their learning to design and build their own strong and stable structure. Throughout this resource, students also investigate various structures to determine how their design and materials allow them to perform their load-bearing function. Students become familiar with terms such as compression, tension, strut, ties, strength, and stability.

Lesson Overview:

This resource contains 16 full-length lesson plans. Each lesson identifies the specific expectation that is targeted, the lesson learning goal and success criteria as well as the materials needed for the lesson. Each lesson is also divided into three parts: lesson introduction, core learning activity, and lesson consolidation.

• Lesson 2.1: Introducing the Unit
• Lesson 2.2: What are Structures?
• Lesson 2.3: Exploring Structures
• Lesson 2.4: Structures in Our Environment
• Lesson 2.5: Strength of Structures
• Lesson 2.6: Structure Stability
• Lesson 2.7: Exploring Materials
• Lesson 2.8: Exploring Forces
• Lesson 2.9: Altering Materials
• Lesson 2.10: Exploring Structures
• Lesson 2.11: Struts and Ties
• Lesson 2.12: Famous Structures
• Lesson 2.13: Animal Structures
• Lesson 2.14: Effects of Structures
• Lesson 2.15: Environmental Impact
• Lesson 2.16: Building a Structure

Activities, Readings, Assessments, and More:

This resource also features the following:

• 25 activities
• 16 lessons
• 6 readings
• 4 exit cards
• 3 investigations
• 3 self-assessments
• 3 teacher assessments
• 3 rubrics
• 2 anecdotal records
• 2 assignments
• 1 entry card

Are there Answer Keys Included?

There are 4 answer keys included in this resource. The answers for the activities are open-ended and are dependent on student experience, and the way in which the activity is completed with students.

Questions? Concerns?

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