Test stability
Tell whether a picture stands without help.
CLASSROOM PROJECT · EARLY LEARNING · ENGINEERING
My Standing Picture
Make a picture that can stand on a table. Students add a simple folded paperboard support and notice why some pictures fall while others stay upright.
Teacher-prepared materials. Students explore, build, test, and share.
What students will show:
Add a support
Attach a folded support.
Explain a revision
Describe one change that helped the picture stand.
See the standards connection in Resources.
BEFORE CLASS
Set the table. Start the thinking.
Materials and preparation for 3 students.
What to put in each kit
| Material | Quantity | Class total |
|---|---|---|
| teacher-prepared paperboard picture panels | 3 teacher-prepared paperboard picture panels | — |
| large pre-scored support strips | 3 large pre-scored support strips | — |
| Masking tape | Masking tape | — |
| Crayons | Crayons | — |
| shared standing-test card | 1 shared standing-test card | — |
Vocabulary: stand, fall, fold, back, wide, narrow.
03 / THE TEACHING FLOW
A clear next step. Every step.
Use the timed sequence below. Make time to test, share, and reset.
Step
Lesson · 40 min 0–7 min
Compare examples
Teacher says
Which example stands without a hand holding it?
Students do
Which example stands without a hand holding it?
Look for
Tell whether a picture stands without help.
Lesson · 40 min 7–20 min
Draw and fold
Teacher says
Students draw on their panels and fold the prepared supports.
Students do
Students draw on their panels and fold the prepared supports.
Look for
Attach a folded support.
Lesson · 40 min 20–29 min
Attach and stand
Teacher says
Students tape the support to the back and try standing the picture on a table.
Students do
Students tape the support to the back and try standing the picture on a table.
Look for
Describe one change that helped the picture stand.
Lesson · 40 min 29–35 min
Revise and retest
Teacher says
If it falls, students move the support or fold it wider, then test again.
Students do
If it falls, students move the support or fold it wider, then test again.
Look for
Describe one change that helped the picture stand.
Lesson · 40 min 35–40 min
Show and tell
Teacher says
Students show their work and tell a partner what helped it stand.
Students do
Students show their work and tell a partner what helped it stand.
Look for
Describe one change that helped the picture stand.
STEP TIMER
Design, test, and improve: Success means the picture stands for five seconds on a flat table without a hand holding it. Students may change the support’s position or fold, but not the picture itself.
04 / CHECK LEARNING
Notice the evidence. Choose a next move.
<p>Observe whether each student tests the work, identifies what happened, and describes or shows a change they made.</p>
Assessment evidence
Observe whether each student tests the work, identifies what happened, and describes or shows a change they made.
| Focus | Observation 1 | Observation 2 | Observation 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Design, test, and improve
Success means the picture stands for five seconds on a flat table without a hand holding it. Students may change the support’s position or fold, but not the picture itself. |
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Extension activity
Make a taller picture and compare whether the same support still works. |
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Swipe the table sideways to see every trial.
Success means the picture stands for five seconds on a flat table without a hand holding it. Students may change the support’s position or fold, but not the picture itself.
05 / RESOURCES
Take the lesson with you.
Printable resources will be added here when the files are available.
CLASSROOM RESOURCES
Suggested printables · Coming soon
Teacher folded-support template; picture-panel template; standing-test card; teacher observation checklist
