Third Grade Activity for International Dot Day

International Dot Day, celebrated on September 15th, is a global event that encourages creativity, courage, and collaboration. Inspired by Peter H. Reynolds' book The Dot, this day is all about making your mark and exploring where your creativity can take you.

In The Dot, a young girl named Vashti discovers her artistic potential when she starts with a simple dot on a piece of paper. This act of bravery leads her on a journey of creativity and self-expression. International Dot Day inspires children and adults alike to embrace their creativity and share their unique talents with the world.

For third graders, International Dot Day is the perfect opportunity to combine creativity with hands-on STEM learning through the Bernoulli’s Principle experiment.

In this engaging activity, students explore the principles of air pressure and lift by experimenting with a ping pong ball and a straw. This activity not only ties into the themes of exploration and creativity found in The Dot but also introduces students to important scientific concepts in a fun and interactive way.

Materials Needed

• Bendy straws (thicker ones work best)

• Ping pong balls

• Paper

• Tape

• Scissors

• Pencils and science journals

Steps for the Science Investigation

1. Read Aloud: Begin by reading The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds to the class. Discuss the main themes of creativity, confidence, and persistence. Explain that just like Vashti explored her creativity, today students will explore science creatively. Introduce Bernoulli's principle in simple terms, explaining how fast-moving air creates low pressure, which can lift objects. Provide examples, such as how airplanes fly or how a shower curtain gets pulled inward when water runs.

2. Formulate a Hypothesis: Have students predict what will happen to a ping pong ball placed over a straw when they blow through the straw. Encourage them to record their predictions in their science journals.

3. Conduct the Experiment:

   • Give each student a straw, ping pong ball, and a piece of paper to make a cone.

   • Show them how to create a paper cone using the paper and tape.

   • Have them place the ping pong ball inside the paper cone and blow through the straw to observe what happens to the ping pong ball.

   • Ask students to record their observations in their journals, noting how the ball behaves when they blow harder or softer.

4. Analyze the Results: After the experiment, discuss the results with the class. Compare the students’ predictions with what actually happened. Explain that blowing air through the straw creates a stream of fast-moving air over the ball, reducing the air pressure above the ball and causing it to lift.

5. Conclusion: Recap what was learned about Bernoulli’s principle and how it explains the movement of the ping pong ball. Encourage students to remain curious and continue experimenting with new ideas, just like Vashti explored her creativity.

Simplifying Your Planning Process

The STEM Teachers Club Membership not only provides high-quality lesson plans but also offers a structured approach to implementing them. With weekly themes and suggested read-alouds, you can easily integrate STEM into your daily schedule. The detailed planning samples and customizable templates help you stay organized and ensure that your STEM activities are aligned with educational standards.

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Watch the replay from our September STEM Planning Party here!

While this resource is available on Teachers Pay Teachers, the Carly and Adam STEM Teachers Club Membership offers the best value for educators. With this membership, teachers gain unlimited access to Carly and Adam's extensive library of STEM resources, including ready-to-use lesson plans, activities, and challenges like the International Dot Day STEM activity.

The membership is flexible, allowing educators to download as many resources as needed and cancel anytime without any hassle. This makes it a cost-effective solution for teachers looking to continuously inspire their students with high-quality, creative STEM activities. Don't miss out on the opportunity to enrich your classroom—join the STEM Teachers Club today and take your teaching to the next level!

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