If I Built a Car! #KenaiReads

If I Built a Car! #KenaiReads

 

At Mountain View Elementary, Mrs. Bates’ second graders class learned all about automobiles! Everyone read If I Built a Car, by Chris Van Dusen, students looked at the history of cars, and created their own version of a future car, which involved drafting blueprints, building a model of it, and presenting to the class, and a family event to show off their lego vehicles!

 

Complete with a field trip and the “Crazy about Cars” Saturday event to present automobiles to their families, the comprehensive unit of study on automobiles surrounding If I Built a Car demonstrates learning that can spark future careers and life-long learning interest. A big thank you to Ellis Automotive for hosting an informative field trip and answering student-generated questions, such as: What skills do you need for your job? How does defrost work? Do different size spark plugs do different things? How does automatic transmission work?

 

Mrs. Bates’ explained, “I received 10 books entitled If I Built a Car, by Chris Van Dusen for my class from the SEMA Book Delivery Program*. In addition, I created a project on Donors Choose and an Amazon Teacher Wish List requesting additional nonfiction-kid friendly books about automobiles, supplies, and Legos for this project. As part of the project, students visited a local automotive shop (Ellis Automotive) to learn from the experts about automobiles and careers in the industry. Students will design and build (with Legos), a custom vehicle for the future. There will be a family event so students can present their designs and new knowledge about automobiles.”

Join Kenai Peninsula Borough School District to celebrate second grade student learning in Mrs. Bates’ class!


* SEMA Specialty Equipment Market Association: A love for cars, trucks and SUVs is the motivating force behind the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA). This trade association consists of a diverse group of manufacturers, distributors, retailers, publishing companies, auto restorers, street rod builders, restylers, car clubs, race teams and more.