Designing Everyday Things: Integrated Projects for the Elementary Classroom

By Helen Clayfield

Technology offers ideal opportunities for all students to be successful learners. It is an effective and interesting way to teach all subject areas, from reading and writing to math, science, and social studies. Designing Everyday Things introduces elementary school teachers to technology, demonstrating how it can be taught and how it can be incorporated into other areas of the curriculum. The book is made up of twenty four carefully planned and trialled units of work, which can be adapted to suit any level. These units provide opportunities for students to translate their ideas into practice by designing, making, and testing. They help students develop their understanding of scientific and technological processes. Designing Everyday Things features lists of materials needed for each unit; suggestions for further investigations that link technology with other subject areas; sample recording sheets and suggestions for recording results; "how to" illustrations; step-by-step instructions for many units; and a glossary explaining new and unfamiliar technological terms. By using the ideas in Designing Everyday Things , teachers help students take risks, make decisions, achieve success, and enhance self-esteem.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0435083597
• ISBN13: 9780435083595
• Release Date: September 1994
• Publisher: Heinemann
• Length: 96 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 10.1" x 0.3" x 7.5"

Customer Reviews

Fills neglected area of curriculum.

Lots of projects are utterly do-able. The format is easy to read and work from. Kids love the lighthouse.

A great resource

This book gave me the idea to make an automatic bubble maker, which I built with LEGO DACTA materials. I've taken it into some classrooms that are using LEGO DACTA materials to inspire and entertain the kids. They love it!