WEEKS 4-5: JACOB'S LADDERS

I am a bit obsessed with Jacob's ladders. They are a marvel of simple materials and construction joining together to create something extraordinary. The name is also rooted in Torah, so it's fun to bring a little allegory into our making.

For my 4th graders I wanted to try having them figure out how to construct a Jacob's ladder without direct instruction from me. I assembled several cardboard Jacob's ladder and set them around our work table with exploration worksheets, rulers, and pencils. I explained that they needed to figure out the materials, quantities of materials, and assembly of the ladder. Once they assembled the materials list and directions. I would give them the materials they requested and they could assemble their ladders.  

I have never seen them so engaged! They spent the class measuring, counting, questioning, and examining. They revised their materials lists and labored over their step-by-step instructions.  This was a new approach for me, and one I will definitely do more of. It was also a wonderful integration of writing and making. ​

Below are the worksheet templates. I might tweak them a bit, but they get the job done.

jacobs_ladder_study.pdf
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File Type:	pdf

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