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Ella the Engineer: STEM Treasure

Hunt lesson plan

Ella the Engineer lessons are standard-aligned, flexible, and completely pre-packaged! They are

designed for 3rd and 4th graders and can be completed in single periods, blocks, or across multiple

days.

Before the lesson

✓ Pre-teach vocabulary words to enhance student engagement

✓ Practice recall and increase comfort with unfamiliar words

✓ Practice inferences and develop character traits using the character

introduction worksheets

Lesson introduction

✓ Provide focus for students on content and set expectations

✓ Increase appreciation for graphic novels and reading

✓ Cultivate students’ love and excitement for STEM

Full group

✓ Facilitate understanding with key questions throughout novel

✓ Pull out key themes of innovation and teamwork

Centers activity

✓ Rotate students through groups to complete graphic organizer

✓ Encourage collaboration between students and instructor

✓ Practice standard-aligned questions

Individual work

✓ Apply multiple activity types to engage diverse learners

✓ Use activities in the classroom or as homework

After the lesson

✓ SWBAT describe the main idea, themes, plot, characters, problem, and solution

of the stories

✓ SWBAT to understand positive reinforcement and share ideas about how to

boost self-esteem

✓ SWBAT practice effective group work and individual practice

STEM Treasure Hunt lesson plan

Purpose: This lesson plan is intended to be used in the classroom, once normal schooling resumes. It is

flexibly designed and can be lengthened/shortened to fit any size period (single to block), with optional

activities that can be completed individually, in a group, or for homework.

Classroom actions Notes Timing Leading up to the lesson

Vocab to pre-teach 1. Opponent

2. Eccentric

3. Robot

4. STEM

5. Artificial intelligence (A.I.)

6. Programming

7. Perpetuity

8. Binary code

9. Hydraulic

10. Lactose

11. Analytics

12. Metaphor

13. Squander

Pre-teach these 13 vocabulary words before the day of the lesson. Review vocab words with students so they are comfortable with them and understand their meaning on the day of the lesson. Utilize the 2nd page of the comic to introduce descriptions of each character. Have students illustrate what they think the characters will look like based on their descriptions.

Pre-teach

Day of the lesson Introduction

1. By a show of hands…How many of you have read an Ella the Engineer story before?

2. Why do you like them? 3. Do you like graphic novels more

than normal books? Why? 4. Does anyone remember any of

the vocab words you practiced and what they mean?

5. Does anyone want to show their drawings of the characters?

6. Based on what you know about the characters, what do you think might happen in the story?

On the day of the lesson, write/display all 13 vocabulary words on the board so students can remember them and reference them throughout the lesson. Use some/all of the warm-up/intro questions on the left depending on time. Can execute this as a writing activity, think/pair/share, partner talk, etc.

3-5 minutes

Discussion questions for reading 1. After page 10: How do the Robo-

Stans help Ella and Jacqui throughout the story?

a. Do you like when you receive encouragements from your family or teachers?

Read the comic to students/have them read out loud. Pause at appropriate points in the story to ask the questions on the left.

15-20 minutes

b. After page 14: How do you think the Robo-Stans empowering words such as, “You shall crush this!” and “Remote programming enabled via Bluetooth! That is fire!” make Ella and Jacqui feel?

c. (Reader shares how words of affirmation are important as they help boost self-esteem.)

2. After page 18: How did analytics help Ella and Jacqui solve the treasure hunt?

a. Which obstacles did Ella and Jacqui use analytics to solve?

b. Do you have any examples of using analytics to make everyday decisions?

3. After final page: How did the students use teamwork to beat the Loganberry Charter team in the competition?

a. Are any of you part of a team?

b. Do you think Ella and Jacqui would have made it up the rock wall without teamwork?

c. Did anyone in the story cheat? How did that make you feel?

Standard-aligned question centers 1. What is the main idea of the

comic? (3.R.I.2)* 2. Describe the main character.

(3.R.L.3)* 3. What is the problem and solution

of the story? (4.R.I.5)* *Standards pulled from the New Illinois Learning Standards for English Language Arts Incorporating the Common Core

Break students into small groups for a center rotation, based on classroom norms. Have students spend 6-8 minutes at each station. The first 25% of their time is spent pencils down, discussing the question and their answer. The remaining 75% is writing what they came up with. Have students rotate through the centers and then return to their desks. Take 1 volunteer to share what his/her team came up with for each question. (This can be extended or eliminated based on timing.) Brainstorm the theme of the story. Allow students to write what they think the theme is or come to a group decision.

25-30 minutes (6-8 minutes per center + 5-7 minutes for group debrief)

(Optional: Collect graphic organizer to grade)

Activity option #1 Have the students write four positive self-esteem statements that a Robo-Stan could use to encourage them or a friend. (using the provided examples and template).

Divide students into smaller groups or lead the discussion as an entire class. Make sure students have a good idea what “self-esteem” means before completing the activity. Flip to the pages where the Robo-Stans shout, “You shall crush this!”, “Math flex!”, “Remote programming enabled via Bluetooth! That is fire!”, and “Huzzah!”. Discuss the importance of words of empowerment and self-esteem.

Flexible (use to fill remaining time, remove, or assign as homework)

Activity option #2 Complete the Vocabulary Crossword Puzzle.

Write or project instructions on the board to anchor students. Distribute puzzles to students and explain how to solve a crossword if students haven’t completed one before.

Flexible (use to fill remaining time, remove, or assign as homework)

Activity option #3 Complete the Vocabulary Word Search.

Write or project instructions on the board to anchor students. Distribute puzzles to students and explain how to solve a word search if students haven’t completed one before.

Flexible (use to fill remaining time, remove, or assign as homework)

Activity option #4 Complete the STEM Treasure Hunt Math Problems.

Have the students complete the math problems as a classroom assignment or homework.

Flexible (use to fill remaining time, remove, or assign as homework)

Activity option #5 Program an interactive story, game, or animation using Scratch to practice coding like Ella. There is a step-by-step guide available inside Scratch or for an overview of activities see the ideas page.

Have the students plan and develop a digital story with Scratch that shares an uplifting tale, a funny story, or important information to help people. Scratch is a free programming platform and block-based programming language developed by MIT that allows you to program interactive stories, games, animations.

Flexible (use to fill remaining time, remove, or assign as homework)

Closing Tell your partner about your statements of encouragement. Choose 1 statement to share with the class. Share your statements with a family member.

Conduct a think, pair, and share exercise, then ask for 2-3 volunteers to share their answers.

2-3 minutes

1. Opponent: Someone who competes against you

2. Eccentric: Slightly strange views or behavior

3. Robot: A machine designed to execute one or more tasks automatically with speed and precision

4. STEM: Curriculum based on science, technology, engineering, and math

5. Artificial intelligence (A.I.): Ability of a computer or machine to think and learn without a human

6. Programming: Creating a set of instructions that tell a computer how to perform a task

7. Perpetuity: Something that lasts forever

8. Binary code: Coding system that uses two symbols

9. Hydraulic: Mechanical function that uses liquid pressure to move something

10. Lactose: The sugar found in milk

11. Analytics: Studying and finding patterns in data to make a logical decision

12. Metaphor: Figure of speech used to make a comparison between two things that aren't alike but do have something in common

13. Squander: To waste an opportunity in a foolish manner

Vocabulary

Name: ________________________ Date: ______________

Vocabulary Worksheet (Define, Write, Draw) Template

1. _______________- Part of Speech _______

Definition- _________________________________

__________________________________________

Sentence___________________________________

__________________________________________

Picture-

2. _______________- Part of Speech _______

Definition- _________________________________

__________________________________________

Sentence___________________________________

__________________________________________

Picture-

3. _______________- Part of Speech _______

Definition- _________________________________

__________________________________________

Sentence___________________________________

__________________________________________

Picture-

4. _______________- Part of Speech _______

Definition- _________________________________

__________________________________________

Sentence___________________________________

__________________________________________

Picture-

Name: ______________________________________________________

Story Mapping

Describe the Main Idea Describe the Main Character

Describe the Problem Describe the Solution What is the theme of the story?

Self-esteem example statementsDirections: Use these examples to complete the activity on the next page.

You are great at

reading and writing.

Keep up the good

work!

You are a STEM whiz

kid just like Ella!

You are respectful

and responsible.

Huzzah!

It’s ok to make

mistakes. That’s

how you learn and

become better!

You’ll get the right

answer next time!You always

make people

smile!

Self-esteem statementsDirections: Fill out the text bubbles with positive self-esteem statements that the Robo-Stans could say to encourage you or a friend.

Name: ___________________________

_________________

_________________

_________________

_________________

_________________

_________________

_________________

_________________

_________________

_________________

_________________

_________________

_________________

_________________

_______________

_______________

_______________

_______________

_______________

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© 2007 - 2020 Education.com

STEM Treasure Hunt Crossword Puzzle1

2

3 4

5 6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

Down: Across:

1. Ability of a computer or machine to think

and learn without a human

2. Mechanical function that uses liquid

pressure to move something

3. Slightly strange views or behavior

4. A machine designed to execute one or more

tasks automatically with speed and

precision

5. Someone who competes against you

6. Creating a set of instructions that tell a

computer how to perform a task

7. Studying and finding patterns in data to

make a logical decision

8. Figure of speech used to make a

comparison between two things that aren't

alike but do have something in common

9. Curriculum based on science, technology,

engineering, and math

10. The sugar found in milk

11. To waste an opportunity in a foolish manner

12. Coding system that uses two symbols

13. Something that lasts forever

®

Build your own custom worksheet at education.com/worksheet-generator

© 2007 - 2020 Education.com

STEM Treasure Hunt Crossword PuzzleAnswer Key

A1

R H2

T Y

I D

F R

E3

I R4

A

O5

P6

C C O U

P R C I B L

P O E A O I

O G A7

N A L Y T I C S

N R T I

M8

E T A P H O R N

N M I T

T M S9

C E

I T L10

A C T O S E

S11

Q U A N D E R L

G M B12

I N A R Y C O D E

G

P13

E R P E T U I T Y

N

C

E

Down: Across:

1. Ability of a computer or machine to think

and learn without a human

2. Mechanical function that uses liquid

pressure to move something

3. Slightly strange views or behavior

4. A machine designed to execute one or more

tasks automatically with speed and

precision

5. Someone who competes against you

6. Creating a set of instructions that tell a

computer how to perform a task

7. Studying and finding patterns in data to

make a logical decision

8. Figure of speech used to make a

comparison between two things that aren't

alike but do have something in common

9. Curriculum based on science, technology,

engineering, and math

10. The sugar found in milk

11. To waste an opportunity in a foolish manner

12. Coding system that uses two symbols

13. Something that lasts forever

®

Build your own custom worksheet at education.com/worksheet-generator

© 2007 - 2020 Education.com

STEM Treasure Hunt Word Search

C E O F O B I Q Y N N L L J W X W X J S M P B Q BI I M D G Y U O P Z B Y E X U R N E V D W R N D IO H Z V X F J Z C E K T E F Q R L Q O O G O F R NI D X Y W H P H N Z R R K A X Z V G A D A G Y T AL A C T O S E B J I B P O R K S O G R G L R N V RK Z E W I X R K T Q O U E B D A X C R N X A L E YQ O A F E T P E Y C C S I T O J X N W K U M A Y GR H M I L O R C O Q N K D W U T V Z H F S M I M UH B H L Y H I C V Q Z F L O L I Q U R U O I N M OA N I J Q Q I E N I Y J P S R A T C P K H N M N AN D G A E P Y N K P Q R E X M B V Y P L N G X E EG F A C V K A T Q X N O P P O N E N T O B Y N W KM H N P Y O J R H X X C S U M X S V P O H Z R V SQ V A B S M J I H A N Y Z H Y D R A U L I C E N MP T L I Q S B C W S V H G F Q N X E Y N D X O F GO F Y A I N J D T Y D J Z S Q M F V P P Y Q Y D XD E T X W K L V C M G I J D S Q U A N D E R F R GO Q I Y F X T G N M E L U N I J G E D X X V T O OO N C B K F Y B B V S Q B M F R E M U Z M G I A YT T S T S S Z E O N V F M I D Q A E R Z Q I G D WQ X T T Z K S M Z W D B F N B Y B P G M D S S U VO G X A R T I F I C I A L I N T E L L I G E N C ET C E S T E M X B W W Q R T H Z O F J E H L Q Z ZB N Y R S Y A F J D M E T A P H O R Z U O R W C VD U S I V O B H Y A J V T C R L F G G X J R R A K

®

Binary

Opponent

STEM

Eccentric

Metaphor

Robot

Artificial intelligence

Analytics

Squander

Programming

Perpetuity

Hydraulic

Lactose

Build your own custom worksheet at education.com/worksheet-generator

© 2007 - 2020 Education.com

STEM Treasure Hunt Word Search Answer Key

C E O F O B I Q Y N N L L J W X W X J S M P B Q BI I M D G Y U O P Z B Y E X U R N E V D W R N D IO H Z V X F J Z C E K T E F Q R L Q O O G O F R NI D X Y W H P H N Z R R K A X Z V G A D A G Y T AL A C T O S E B J I B P O R K S O G R G L R N V RK Z E W I X R K T Q O U E B D A X C R N X A L E YQ O A F E T P E Y C C S I T O J X N W K U M A Y GR H M I L O R C O Q N K D W U T V Z H F S M I M UH B H L Y H I C V Q Z F L O L I Q U R U O I N M OA N I J Q Q I E N I Y J P S R A T C P K H N M N AN D G A E P Y N K P Q R E X M B V Y P L N G X E EG F A C V K A T Q X N O P P O N E N T O B Y N W KM H N P Y O J R H X X C S U M X S V P O H Z R V SQ V A B S M J I H A N Y Z H Y D R A U L I C E N MP T L I Q S B C W S V H G F Q N X E Y N D X O F GO F Y A I N J D T Y D J Z S Q M F V P P Y Q Y D XD E T X W K L V C M G I J D S Q U A N D E R F R GO Q I Y F X T G N M E L U N I J G E D X X V T O OO N C B K F Y B B V S Q B M F R E M U Z M G I A YT T S T S S Z E O N V F M I D Q A E R Z Q I G D WQ X T T Z K S M Z W D B F N B Y B P G M D S S U VO G X A R T I F I C I A L I N T E L L I G E N C ET C E S T E M X B W W Q R T H Z O F J E H L Q Z ZB N Y R S Y A F J D M E T A P H O R Z U O R W C VD U S I V O B H Y A J V T C R L F G G X J R R A K

®

Binary

Opponent

STEM

Eccentric

Metaphor

Robot

Artificial intelligence

Analytics

Squander

Programming

Perpetuity

Hydraulic

Lactose

Solve the following problems. Be sure to show your work and put units on your answers!

Dr. Guest and Kelly created three different colors of Robo-Stans in their laboratory. There are 52 green robots, 15 yellow robots, and 29 blue robots.

1. How many robots are there in total?2. Dr. Guest and Kelly are re-programming 12 robots

so they aren’t available for schools to borrow. How many total robots are left in the laboratory?

3. If each robot has two arms, how many arms are there in total?

4. In the laboratory, there are tables with 4 computers at each one. If there are 24 computers, how many tables are there?

STEM Treasure Hunt math problems

Answer Key

1. How many robots are there in total?52 + 15 + 29 = 96

3. If each robot has two arms, how many arms arethere in total?

96 x 2 = 192

2. Dr. Guest and Kelly are re-programming 12 robotsso they aren’t available for schools to borrow.How many total robots are left in the laboratory?

96 - 12 = 84

4. In the laboratory, there are tables with 4computers at each one. If there are 24 computers,how many tables are there?

24 ÷ 4 = 6 or 4 x 6 tables = 24