Lesson 1
Grade: Level:
5
Subjects: Language
Arts, Science, Technology
Learner Outcomes:
Students will Identify four basic bridge types: arch, beam, suspension,
and cable-stayed. They will understand the benefits and drawbacks
of different types of bridges, as well as think about the challenges involved
in building bridges.
Materials:
Technology Tools/Courseware:
computer
with Internet capability
Teacher Notes:
-
Bridge classification can be done
individually or in groups.
-
Bridge pictures will work best
if printed from a color printer.
-
Activities may be done in groups
or as a classroom demonstration.
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A Bridge
Glossary has been provided for teacher and/or student use.
Procedure:
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As a class, brainstorm a list
of known bridges.
-
Handout Bridge
Pictures Handout
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Working independently, students
cut apart the pictures of bridges and classify them into groups of their
choosing.
-
As a group, students will share
their classification and the reasoning behind their choices.
-
Introduce the four basic bridge
type using Basic Bridge Types Handout
-
Discuss handout and note vocabulary
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Complete activity "How Do Abutments
Support an Arch Bridge"
 |
Cut a strip of cardboard that's
a bout one inch by 11 inches. Gently bend the strip so that it has
a curve. Position the cardboard
on a table so that it resembles
an arch. Press down on the center of the arch.
What happens to the ends of
the cardboard? |
Next, place a stack of books
at each end of the arch. Press again. Now what happens?
Notice how the stacks of books
act as abutments, keeping the ends of the arch from spreading apart. |
 |
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Complete Activity "What Happens
When a Load Pushes Down on a Beam Bridge"
 |
Take a flat eraser or a small
sponge and slice a shallow notch across the top and bottom. Create a beam
bridge by supporting each end of the eraser (or sponge) with a stack of
books. Press down on the center of the bridge. What happens to the top
and bottom notches? Notice how the top notch squeezes together in compression,
while the bottom notch spreads apart under tension. |
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Complete Activity "What Are
Anchorages for?"
Tie two loops of string around
the tops of two hard
cover books of similar size.
Tie a third piece of
string to each loop so that
it hangs loosely between
the books. Press down on the
center string. What happens? |
 |
 |
Next, stand two books about
10 inches apart. Put a stack of heavy books on one end of string to secure
it to the table. Then pass the string over each book (letting some string
hang loosely between the books). Place a second stack of books on the other
end of the string. Press again on the center of the string. What happens?
Notice how the anchorages (stacks of books) help to stabilize the bridge. |
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Complete Activity "How Do Cable-Stayeds
Work?"
Try making cable-stayeds
to support your arms. Take a piece of rope (about five feet long), and
have a partner tie each end of the rope to each of your elbows. Then lay
the middle of the rope on top of your head. The rope acts as a cable-stayed
and holds your elbows up.
Have your partner tie a second
piece of rope (about 6 feet long) to each wrist. Lay the second rope over
your head. You now have two cable-stayeds. Where do you feel a pushing
force, or compression? Notice how the cable-stayeds transfer the
load of the bridge (your arms) to the tower (your head). |
 |
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Students will create a bridge
dictionary including the definition and illustration/example for the following
words: arch, abutment, anchorage, beam bridge, cable, cantilever
bridge, compression, deck, engineer, girder, span, stayed, stress, suspension
bridge, tension, torsion,
tower, truss
Modifications: Make
modifications based on student IEP.
Enrichment Activities:
Students may participate in the on-line labs at PBS/Building
Big to discover how forces affect structures. Students may enrich
their vocabulary of bridge terms by logging on to
About Bridges.
Evaluation/Assessment: Complete
Bridge
Vocabulary Puzzle
References:
Authors:
Renee
Anderson
Linda
Cline
Anita
Pugh
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